Recently, I posted a blog about getting in touch with nature while riding your bike. It was through a company called Common Circle Education. While I was cruising on their site again, I came across a word that I have heard, but had no idea what it meant: permaculture.
In a nut shell, permaculture is about “harmony between people and nature.” Instead of working against nature, you are working with it. It is about letting mutual benefits between plants and animals happen. In order to do this, a person must really learn about and observe nature.
Even though the idea had been around for a long time, permaculture was really brought to life in the 1970’s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. At first, permaculture meant “permanent agriculture.” It was then extended to meaning “permanent culture” because it is part of a “truly sustainable system.” There are three core values of permaculture: Earthcare (we are a part of Earth, not apart from it), Peoplecare (support each other to change living habits) and Fairshare (using resources wisely). In general, I think those are great values to live by, even if you don’t have this amazing garden with animals in it.
To learn more about permaculture, click here.
Ashley, thank you for this post. I think I read the same article and what stands out to me about this concept is that it is so simple, so common-sense, and so necessary! “Plan your residence, garden, lifestyle, neighborhood and community to work as efficiently as possible. Mindfully utilize, conserve, re-use and recycle local sources of water, fuel, food, clothing, building supplies, etc.”