The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources released information on Apr. 14 about permaculture, a design method and philosophy developed in 1978 by David Holmgren and Bill Mollison. The announcement comes ahead of International Permaculture Day, which is celebrated on the first Sunday in May.
Permaculture is described as a set of techniques and ethics that aim to unify people with each other and their environment through regenerative systems. It goes beyond agriculture, offering a framework for developing sustainable behavioral, biological, and built systems that mimic natural ecosystems. The approach is guided by three core ethics: care for the Earth, care for people, and fair share.
The twelve principles of permaculture encourage observation, energy conservation, obtaining yields from productive systems, self-regulation through feedback mechanisms, use of renewable resources, waste reduction by recycling materials as nature does, designing from patterns to detail, integration rather than segregation of system elements, adoption of small-scale solutions over large ones when possible, valuing diversity for resilience against disturbances like pests or disease outbreaks in agriculture, using edges effectively within landscapes for productivity gains such as keyhole garden beds provide; and creatively responding to change.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources secures funding through public contributions to support its programs according to the official website. The organization promotes sustainable practices aimed at strengthening resilient ecosystems and economic vitality according to the official website. Its network includes nine research and extension centers that serve as laboratories representing California’s diverse ecosystems according to the official website.
The institution has gained recognition for providing trusted services that connect research with community needs according to the official website. As part of the University of California system it manages Cooperative Extension services statewide according to the official website, conducting over 33,800 educational events annually while engaging more than 18,400 volunteers in its initiatives according to the official website.
For those interested in learning more about permaculture methods or connecting with others involved in this field there are free introductory resources available online including “What is Permaculture?” as well as immersive courses offered throughout the country.