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Welcome 2017!
A friend of mine wished me "Happy Old Year" and I thought that is just right. Let's celebrate a cycle that has completed and all the moments of joy and sadness that we had. What a healthy way to move forward: Stopping to contemplate the events that brought us to this very present moment. This is what I wish for myself and to all the Permaculture family.
Times are difficult, the world is sick; throughout 2016, every time I was confronted with bad news from all corners of this planet I found solace and hope in the Permaculture principles. David Holmgren makes a beautiful metaphor in 'Permaculture: Pathways and Principles Beyond Sustainability', in which he compares the peak of a mountain to the limit of natural resource exploitation. He pictures society standing at the top, admiring the view and appreciating how hard it was to reach such heights. Eventually we climb down, but in stages, safely. I like to hold on to this thought and to contribute in whatever way I can to make this possible.
May we all find our way to lead a healthy, plentiful and productive 2017. Happy reading!
Anisha Fermandes da Rocha
(Co-Convener)
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Birak is the first summer or season of the young and lasts from December to January. With increasing heat and decreasing rainfall many young animals venture out of their nests or become adults. For the Nyoongar this was the season of burning the land to increase pasture, force animals out into the open, decrease fuel load, and help with seed germination. Read more here and here.
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Observe and interact
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
If we take time and observe nature, we can design solutions to suit most situations. The icon symbolizes a man becoming a tree. The quote reminds us that we place value on all our observations but that there is no right or wrong in nature.
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Summed up beautifully by the Formidable Vegetable Sound System's tune
Look around
Source: www.permacultureprinciples.com
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Perth Green Events
For a calendar of sustainable events in Perth and the Southwest, check out Perth Green Events here.
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Pool to Pond Conversion
8 Jan 2017, 11 am – 2 pm, Thornlie. Join this event for a unique learning opportunity about converting unused pools to natural ponds. First meeting will be a planning session, blitzes for the actual conversion will follow. Find out more and RSVP here.
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Northern Community Share
21 Jan 2017, 8 am – 10 pm, West Stirling Neighbourhood House, Doubleview. Swap, Shuffle, Share event organised by Transition Town Stirling. Bring your excess produce, books, clothes, or anything else you would like to share and swap it for other people's treasure. Only rules: Fair share and take your things back home if no-one wants them. No link available yet, but TT Stirling will put a Facebook event up, so keep your eyes peeled.
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One Day in Fremantle
28 Jan 2017, 2 – 8 pm, Esplanade Reserve, Fremantle. The City of Fremantle has decided to drop the Australia Day Fireworks and offer a free family event for all Australians instead. Bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon of live music, culture, and conversation. Find out more here and here.
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Regrarians Open Consultation: Darren Doherty
11&12 Feb 2017, Margaret River. Darren Doherty returns to WA in 2017 to help others regenerate, restore, rehabilitate, rekindle & reboot production landscapes. This is a 2-day farm planning event using one site as a focus case study. Find out more here.
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Permaculture Design Certificates
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Fair Harvest Permaculture
8 – 22 January 2017, Margaret River
Fully-catered, full-time PDC at Fair Harvest Permaculture. Camp at the Farm and immerse yourself in all things permaculture around the clock. Course cost: $1850, early-bird and couples tariffs available. Find more information here.
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Edge5 Permaculture
8 – 20 January 2017, Bohol, Philippines
Full-time PDC in the Philippines. Most meals are included, camping or cheap accommodation are available according to your needs. Course cost: $1237 or $947 if paid by 30. Nov. Find more information here and here.
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Permaseed
Starting 18 February 2017, new location: Benger
Part-time PDC on weekends at Permaseed's new farm in Benger. BYO lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided. Course cost: $1000. Find more information here.
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Other Courses & Workshops
>>> To check out Perth Green Events and see all of the latest sustainability events around Perth CLICK HERE!
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Scitech & E2 Young Engineers
The Science of Recycling
17 & 18 January 2017, several sessions, Canning Vale
What do Lego, recycling, and Scitech have in common? Find out at these fun sessions for kids from 9 years old. Build a motorised Lego garbage truck, learn about recycling, and tour the SMRC Regional Resource Recovery Centre. Cost: $23, Scitech members $20. Find out more here.
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Living Smart & Ecoburbia
South Perth Living Smart Course
Starting 8 February 2017, 6 – 8.30 pm, South Perth
Seven week course that runs weekly on Wednesday nights. Learn how to live more sustainable in all aspects of your life. Includes topics such as waste, power, water, gardening and more. Course cost: $80, concession: $40. Book here
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Fair Harvest Permaculture
Holistic Management Practitioner Training
14/15 February – June 2017, Margaret River
Four two-day sessions over four months covering all aspects of Holistic Management that will improve your business and life. Course cost: $2,200. Read more
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Greenbushes Community Gardens
From Rags to Riches
Read about the amazing story of Greenbushes Community Garden. This seven year old garden has transformed the town centre and brought the community together like no other project in the recent years. Click here for the full story. |
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Perth Urban Farming Project
An Interview with James McDonald
Is it a business? A community movement? A vision for the future? James McDonald's Perth Urban Farming Project is all of the above. Read more about his plans and how he got there HERE, click here for his website, or here for the Facebook group.
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Street Farm
Growing Food, Jobs, and Hope on the Urban Frontier
by Michael Ableman
This inspirational book tells the story of Sole Food Street Farms in Vancouver, North America's largest urban farm. Sole Food has provided jobs and food in one of the worst urban slums of the US for the last seven years.
Watch a short video about Sole Food Street Farms here or buy the book here.
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Half-Earth
Our Planet's Fight for Life
by Edward O. WIlson
Half-Earth proposes an achievable plan to save our imperiled biosphere: devote half the surface of the Earth to nature. Warning us that the point of no return is imminent, Wilson nonetheless refuses to believe that our extinction is inevitable and suggests a way to prevent the impending Sixth Extinction.
Read more or buy the book here or here.
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Barbara Susac
Barbara Susac is a Permie and artist from Perth. Her work ranges from stained glass art and mixed media to drawings and paintings. Many of her detailed drawings feature endangered Carnaby cockatoos.
Find out more about Barbara's art here, read her blog here, or buy her artworks here.
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Ian Potter Foundation Environment & Conservation Grants - supports preservation of biodiversity and sustainability with large and small grants for landscape-scale programs and awareness raising projects. The current funding round opened on 7. Nov. Expressions of interest close 9. Dec, applications close 24. Jan 2017. Read more
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One Planet FreoMatch Funding - Supports projects which contribute to community wellbeing and an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable community by matching crowdfunding donations if the tipping point of 50% is reached. Read more
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Know of a great workshop coming up? Or a permablitz near your place? Is your garden looking fabulous or are you’re just bursting to share photos of your community or school garden? Would you like to introduce your Permaculture business? We’d love to hear from you!
Your input is what really makes this Enews special and relevant to local readers here in WA. Plus, it helps us showcase all the great stuff we’ve got going on to readers from other parts of the world. Let’s show them what we’re made of!
Send your updates to: news@permaculturewest.org.au
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