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Permaculture Design Course

Tagari Publications Permaculture Institute, Tagari Student Support, Lisa Pucci, and Greg Knibbs

Why should you study the Permaculture Design Course?

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Why should you study the Permaculture Design Course?

Everyone can benefit from learning about Permaculture and how to apply Permaculture design principles to your life. You can apply these design principles to your garden, community spaces or to the larger environment. This course will allow you to broaden your understanding of Permaculture theory, building your knowledge of all the necessary aspects (like growing food, enriching soils and using waste as a resource) to become fully conversant with Permaculture design. By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently create your first Permaculture design plan.

This course not only provides you with the theory and practical knowledge to create design plans, it allows you to take a step into the world of Bill Mollison, one of the co-founders of Permaculture. Bill's global experience in sharing the principles of Permaculture design, along with his entertaining story telling, will captivate you and challenge you to think critically about how we can all apply the principles of sustainable land use design to our lives and communities.

All students enrolled in the course are invited to join our private Student Group on Facebook. Check your Welcome message to gain access.

Please note: This course does not include an assessment component and therefore there is no formally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate.

What exactly is Permaculture and why is it applicable to everyone?

The concept of Permaculture was first presented by Bill Mollison and his student, David Holmgren, in the mid 1970's. Permaculture is sustainable land use design, based on ecological and biological principles, often using patterns that occur in nature to maximise effect and minimise work. Permaculture aims to create stable, productive systems that provide for human needs, harmoniously integrating the land with its’ inhabitants. The ecological processes of plants, animals, their nutrient cycles, climatic factors and weather cycles are all part of the picture. Inhabitants’ needs are provided for using proven technologies for food, energy, shelter and infrastructure. Elements in a system are viewed in relationship to other elements, where the outputs of one element become the inputs of another. Within a Permaculture system, work is minimised, “wastes” become resources, productivity and yields increase, and environments are restored. Permaculture principles can be applied to any environment, at any scale from dense urban settlements to individual homes, from farms to entire regions.

Who is the Permaculture Design Course delivered by?

This Permaculture Design Course was first convened in 2005 through collaboration with Tony Walkins and Lisa Mollison, Tagari Publications. Tagari Publications' primary function is to support the work of The Permaculture Institute by publishing educational materials on sustainability, with Lisa Mollison fulfilling the role of Managing Director since 1997. All lectures available in this course are a recording of the live delivery of the course in 2005 and feature presentations by Bill Mollison and Geoff Lawton.

Throughout your participation in the digital course, you will be supported by Lisa Mollison, who has been teaching Permaculture design principles to students, volunteers and 'Wwoofers' at Tagari Garden Farm (the home of The Permaculture Institute) since 1996. Lisa Mollison is furthering Bill Mollison's vision to spread Permaculture design principles and ethics across the globe by offering the Permaculture Design Course to a wider audience.

Lisa Mollison, Tagari Publications and The Permaculture Institute, is the copyright owner of all course content and resources. Please note, although unintentional, there is a possibility that some content presented in this course may contain references to deceased people, sacred or secret material and terminology or language which some people may find inappropriate or offensive.

About Bill Mollison

Bill Mollison was the Founding Director of the Permaculture Institute, the first and longest running Permaculture institute in existence, and  taught and developed projects from the Arctic through Sub-tropic and Equatorial regions of the planet. There are few countries left in the world where he did not personally plant the seeds of Permaculture. The Peoples of the Pacific, South East Asia, South Africa and seven Amazonian language groups have been inspired by and acted on his teachings, embracing Permaculture as a dynamic tool. He also gave courses in the drylands and developed projects with Native Americans, Indigenous Australians, tribal women of the Deccan, Kalahari, San groups and Pima people of the Sonora. In the USA, Europe and Scandinavia, Bill lectured and helped to develop ecological designs for urban and rural properties, including many city farms and CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture).

Bill Mollison was vitally concerned with the environment for over forty years. His many roles included: scientist, naturalist and university professor. Later, he became a vigorous campaigner against environmental exploitation which led him to develop Permaculture as a positive solution.  Bill devoted his energies towards designing sustainable systems, writing text books and articles on Permaculture, and most importantly, teaching. Permaculture now laps the globe, resulting in thousands of independent associations involved in the areas of sustainable agriculture, reforestation, education and village economics. True to his vision, throughout the world, Permaculture is becoming an everyday part of life.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • You will gain an understanding of permaculture theory.
  • You will learn to apply permaculture design strategies to any site, anywhere in the world.
  • You will build your knowledge of all the necessary aspects to become fully conversant with permaculture design.
  • By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently create, and present, your first permaculture design plan.
  • You will learn about growing food, enriching soils and using waste as a resource.

Syllabus

Describe permaculture design strategies and their benefits, highlighting contrasts between natural systems and post-industrial land management strategies
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Lecture one covers the following topics:

  • Introduction

  • Permaculture Institutes

  • Permaculture Applications

  • Permaculture Defined

  • Toxins in Food

  • Rising Sea Levels

  • Perennial Pasture

  • Mast and Pannage

  • Marshes and Mangroves

  • Supporting Functions

Lecture 2 covers the following topic:

  • Learning Permaculture

  • Source and Sink

  • Compressed Air

  • Yield

  • Housing Insulation

  • Methodology of Design

  • Inputs and Outputs

  • Chook Heated Glass House

Lecture 3 covers the following topics:

  • Energy and Zones

  • Sector Planning

  • Observe Nature

  • Observation to Design Strategy

  • Experiential Aspect to Design

  • Zone Planning

  • Water Overview

  • Slopes

  • Crops

  • House Placement

  • Overview

Test your knowledge!

Describe and begin to apply elements in design, including zones, sectors, hemispheres, maps and the design process and the functions of a designer.

Lecture 4 covers the following topics:

  • Ethics

  • Life Web

  • Elements in Design

  • Zones

  • Sectors

  • Hemispheres

  • More on Zones

  • Maps

  • Design Process

  • Worldview

  • Functions of a Designer

Lecture 5 covers the following topics:

  • Directives

  • India

  • Serial Evolution

  • Science

  • Arctic Dreams

  • Birch

  • Fractals

  • Aboriginal Maths

  • Lunar Cycles

  • Glass Blowing

Lecture 6 covers the following topics:

  • Knowledge and Information

  • Opportunistic Resources

  • Whale Story

  • Resources that Decrease

  • Resources that Destroy

  • Radioactivity

  • Avoidable Risks

  • Trees

  • Squid

Recognise patterns in nature and understand the functions patterns play in our natural environment, including how use of patterns in design strategies enhance any living system.

Lecture 7 covers the following topics:

  • Traditional Patterns

  • Refraction Navigation

  • Bure Navigation Lessons

  • Undersea Light Path

  • Pattern Navigation Summary

  • Events

  • Order of Size

Lecture 8 covers the following topics:

  • Orders

  • Application of Design

  • Banana Circles

  • Coconut Circles

  • Stacking the System

  • Edge Effect

  • Random Assembly

  • Farming with Ducks

  • Energy Audits

  • Termites

  • Sharing Information

Identify and describe climatic regions and apply permaculture design strategies to different climatic regions.

Lecture 9 covers the following topics:

  • More on Pattern

  • Relations of Edge Effect

  • Climate Specifics

  • Temperate Biomass Equation

  • Australia and Permaculture

  • Tropic Biomass Equation

  • Observe Your Weeds

  • Arid Biomass Equation

Lecture 10 covers the following topics:

  • Temperate Grazing

  • Arid Soil

  • Pollard and Coppice

  • Climate and landscape

  • Condensation/Evaporation

  • Living Resources

  • Profile of Landscape

  • Key Point

  • Water, Access, Structures

Lecture 11 covers the following topics:

  • Planting Slopes

  • Flatlands

  • Arid Landscape

  • Gabions

  • Runoff

  • Limonia

  • Water Harvesting

  • Dune Country

Lecture 12 covers the following topics:

  • Swale Origin

  • Planting Patterns

  • Acid Alkaline

  • White Cedar

  • Weed Indications

  • Herb Spiral

  • Tropical Water strategy

  • How Big is a Dam?

  • Swale Information

  • Borders and Blackberries

  • Limestone

  • Sun Angle Formula

  • Broom Specieis

  • Lecture - Desert Landscapes

Lecture 13 covers the following topics:

  • Gilgais

  • Erosion Gullies

  • Botanical Resources

  • Building Camaraderie

  • Kalahari Resources

  • Termite Mounds

  • Rodents

  • Gibber Desert

Lecture 14 covers the following topics:

  • Termites Continued

  • 1421

  • Drylands

  • Coral Islands

  • Atoll pH and Soils

  • High Islands

Lecture 15 covers the following topics:

  • PDC Learning

  • Volcanic Islands

  • Tsunami

  • Types of Lava

  • Islands and Coasts

  • School Garden

  • Wetlands and Chinampas

Lecture 16 covers the following topics:

  • Chinampas continued

  • Swale Case Study

  • Estuaries

  • New Orleans

  • Trompe

  • Compost

  • Local Diet

  • Gley

Understand what a tree is doing with all the energy it receives, how a tree expresses energy out and apply this knowledge to landscape design.

Lecture 17 covers the following topics:

  • Trees in Action

  • Tree Relationships

  • Light Saturation

  • Albedo

  • Solar Factory

  • Wind

  • Cauliferous

  • Rain Makers

  • Isotopes

  • Rain Trees

  • Enaranado

Lecture 18 covers the following topics:

  • Rain Transfer Bands

  • Adis Ababa

  • Ensete

  • Throughfall

  • Sublimation

  • Classes of Forest

  • Conservation Forest

  • Urban Production

Identify and utilise the functionality of any forest, great or small, in the creation of the design of a living system, including the design of food forests.

Lecture 19 covers the following topics:

  • Dryland Food Forest

  • Coppice Forest

  • Pole Timber forest

  • Forage Forest

  • Timber Forest

  • Establishing Forests

  • Nitrogen Fixation

Lecture 20 covers the following topics:

  • Food Forests

  • Stacking the System

  • Trees in Communities

  • Orchard Conversion

  • Chicken Tractors

  • Questions

Describe and apply design strategies to address water harvesting, water security, drought proofing, earthworks and other structures to accomplish these goals.

Lecture 21 covers the following topics:

  • Qualities of Water

  • Roof Water

  • pH Scale

  • Food Miles

  • Tree Disease

  • Tank Algae

  • World Water

  • Soy

  • Aquaculture

  • Energy Systems

  • Wallace Plow

Lecture 22 covers the following topics:

  • Tanks

  • Biocides

  • Suburban Situations

  • Keyline

  • Swale

  • Revelations

  • Contours

  • Swale Profiles

  • Case Study

Lecture 23 covers the following topics:

  • Humid Landscape

  • Barrier Dams

  • Valley Dams

  • Contour Dams

  • More on Swales

  • Botswana

  • Rainwater Issues

  • Radiation

Lecture 24 covers the following topics:

  • Waste Water

  • Melbourne's Engineers

  • Bronx Frontier

  • Gley Farm

  • Sewage

  • City Farms

  • Irrigation

  • Dryland Trees

  • Questions


Describe soils, soil life and its enrichment and how they relate to earthwork strategies and placement, including understanding and applying strategies to build soils, farm with worms and composting.

Lecture 25 covers the following topics:

  • Soil Composition

  • Soil Salting

  • Trail Ride

  • Components

  • Creation

  • Macrofauna

  • Respiration

  • Increasing

  • Poverty Flat

  • Large Scale

  • Additives

Lecture 26 covers the following topics:

  • Clay and Non-Wetting

  • Swale Effect

  • Change

  • Botswana

  • Sea of Cortez

  • Paddy Culture

  • Moving Earth

  • Ha - Ha

  • Ocher

  • Machines

Lecture 27 covers the following topics:

  • Soil Life

  • Roots

  • Chemical and Biocide Cocktails

  • Dead Sea Valley

  • Enrichment

  • Sunshine Coast

  • Compost

Lecture 28 covers the following topics:

  • Compost

  • Activators

  • Corrections

  • Animals in Compost

  • Weeds In compost

  • Toxins

  • How Much?

  • Worm Farms

  • Ben Hur

Lecture 29 covers the following topics:

  • Questions

  • Locusts

  • Dams

  • Design vs Build

  • Common Earthworks

  • More Questions

  • Bamboo

  • Terraces

Understand and apply knowledge of when, where and what type of aquaculture system would be appropriate in any design site.

Lecture 30 covers the following topics:

  • Aquaculture

  • Mixed Aquaculture

  • Prawn Pond

  • Kelp

  • Aquatic plants

  • Trout

  • Lotus

  • Questions

Converse effectively with others and begin to put together a permaculture design with confidence.

Lecture 31 covers the following topics:

  • Animal Use

  • Minerals

  • Design Case study

  • A Garden Layout

  • Talking to Earth Movers

Understand dam types, suitability and placement in the design process and efficiently face some of the common challenges with old and new dams.

Lecture 32 covers the following topics:

  • Road Water

  • Stumps

  • Dams

  • Dam Slide Show

  • Sealing Dams

  • Rocks

  • Dam Slide Show continued

Understand passive solar building principles and undertake straightforward design of a passive solar building in each of the climatic zones.

Lecture 33 covers the following topics:

  • Reactive Temperate House

  • Scandinavia

  • Mass

  • Insulation

  • Air Movement

  • Earthen Floors

  • Bruce Effect

  • Deflective Wind and Sun

  • Heat

  • Desert House

  • Wet Tropical House

  • Another Desert House

Lecture 34 covers the following topics:

  • Tropic House

  • Review

  • Earth and Water Shapers

  • Dravidian

  • Mud Houses

  • Three Day House

  • Rammed Earth

  • Straw and Renders

  • Settlement Pattern

Lecture 35 covers the following topics:

  • Temperate to Subtropical

  • Radiant Heat

  • Review

  • Developing Countries

  • Tropical

  • Desert

  • Shade, Snow, Earth

Understand how to utilise legal and financial structures which assist maximisation and protection of real and liquid assets, including forming local groups and bioregional organisations.

Lecture 36 covers the following topics:

  • Shrimp Ponds

  • Temperate Swale Planting

  • Hemp

  • Agave

  • Insurance

  • Road Gutters

  • Property Location Service

  • Avoidable Risks

  • Location Service continued

  • Invisible Structures, Trusts

Lecture 37 covers the following topics:

  • Trusts Continued

  • Church Stories

  • Credit Union

  • August Investments

  • Research Group

  • LETS

  • Micro Banking

  • Informal Economy

  • Promissory Note

  • Permaculture Academy

Lecture 38 covers the following topics:

  • Aloe Vera

  • Local Groups

  • Themes

  • PET

  • Markets

  • Bioregional Organisation

Complete a permaculture design for a site and present the design to others confidently.

Lecture 39 covers the following topics:

  • Slumping

  • Books

  • Faraday Effect

  • Soil Gases

  • Cane Toads and Fire Ants

  • Swale

  • Ethical Investment

  • Possums in New Zealand

  • Wombat

  • Keyhole

  • Zone 1 to 5

  • Consultancy

  • Aid Work

Lecture 40 covers the following topics:

  • Design Assignment

  • Making Plans - Group Discussion

  • Design Presentations

  • Certificates and Diplomas

  • Giving of the PDC Certificates

  • What are Bill and Geoff up to next?

  • Round Table Discussions

  • Closing Remarks

Review what you've learnt

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a systematic approach to land use design, emphasizing sustainable practices and ecological principles
Taught by individuals with extensive experience and expertise in permaculture design, including Bill Mollison, one of the founders of the field
Covers a comprehensive range of topics, including permaculture design strategies, water harvesting, soil management, and sustainable building practices, giving learners a well-rounded understanding of permaculture
Suitable for individuals of varying experience levels, from those new to permaculture to those seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills
Provides access to a private Facebook group for students, facilitating peer-to-peer learning and community building
While the course does not include an assessment component or a formal Permaculture Design Certificate, it offers a valuable foundation for those interested in pursuing further education or certification in permaculture

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Career center

Learners who complete Permaculture Design Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Permaculture Designer
Permaculture Designers are professionals who specialize in the design and implementation of sustainable land-use systems. They work with individuals, communities, and businesses to create regenerative ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and other resources while minimizing environmental impact. The Permaculture Design Course is essential for those who wish to become Permaculture Designers, providing in-depth knowledge and practical skills in permaculture principles and design techniques.
Landscape Designer
Landscape Designers utilize their knowledge of plants, soils, and landforms to create sustainable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces. This Permaculture Design Course provides a solid foundation in these areas, as well as an understanding of permaculture design principles, which emphasize working with nature rather than against it. The skills and knowledge gained through the course will prove invaluable to those who embark on a career as a Landscape Designer.
Sustainability Consultant
Sustainability Consultants play a crucial role in guiding individuals, organizations, and businesses towards more sustainable practices. They assess environmental and social impacts, develop sustainability strategies, and implement solutions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote social responsibility. The Permaculture Design Course offers a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices, which can greatly enhance the effectiveness of Sustainability Consultants.
Urban Planner
Urban Planners are responsible for shaping the built environment in a way that promotes sustainability and livability. They plan and design cities, towns, and neighborhoods, considering factors such as land use, transportation, and public spaces. The Permaculture Design Course can provide Urban Planners with valuable insights into ecological design principles, which can inform their decision-making and lead to more sustainable and resilient urban environments.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the interactions between humans and the natural environment. They conduct research, monitor environmental conditions, and develop solutions to environmental problems. The Permaculture Design Course provides a comprehensive foundation in ecology and sustainability, which can greatly benefit those pursuing a career as an Environmental Scientist. It offers a systems-thinking approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things, helping Environmental Scientists develop a holistic understanding of environmental issues.
Agroecologist
Agroecologists apply ecological principles to the design and management of agricultural systems. They work to improve the sustainability and productivity of farms and food systems by promoting biodiversity, reducing chemical inputs, and enhancing soil health. The Permaculture Design Course provides Agroecologists with a deep understanding of permaculture principles and practices, which can help them develop more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Conservationist
Conservationists work to protect and restore natural ecosystems and biodiversity. They develop and implement conservation strategies, conduct research, and educate the public about environmental issues. The Permaculture Design Course provides Conservationists with a comprehensive understanding of ecological principles and sustainability practices, which can greatly enhance their effectiveness in protecting and restoring natural habitats.
Horticulturist
Horticulturists are experts in the cultivation and management of plants. They work in a variety of settings, including gardens, nurseries, and research institutions, conducting research, developing new plant varieties, and advising on plant care. The Permaculture Design Course provides Horticulturists with a deeper understanding of plant ecology and sustainable gardening practices, which can help them develop more effective and sustainable plant management strategies.
Organic Farmer
Organic Farmers use natural methods to grow and raise food without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. They work to maintain soil health, promote biodiversity, and protect the environment. The Permaculture Design Course provides Organic Farmers with a thorough understanding of sustainable farming practices and permaculture principles, which can help them develop more productive and resilient organic farming systems.
Community Organizer
Community Organizers work with community members to identify and address local issues and concerns. They facilitate meetings, develop strategies, and mobilize resources to create positive change. The Permaculture Design Course can provide Community Organizers with valuable insights into sustainable community development and participatory planning, which can help them engage with the community and create more resilient and sustainable communities.
Environmental Educator
Environmental Educators teach people about environmental issues and promote sustainability. They develop educational programs, conduct workshops, and lead field trips to raise awareness and inspire action. The Permaculture Design Course can provide Environmental Educators with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices, which can greatly enhance their effectiveness in educating others about environmental issues.
Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneurs use business principles to address social and environmental issues. They develop and implement innovative solutions that create positive change in the world. The Permaculture Design Course can provide Social Entrepreneurs with a deeper understanding of sustainability and community development, which can help them create more effective and impactful social enterprises.
Environmental Lawyer
Environmental Lawyers specialize in the field of environmental law, representing clients in cases involving pollution, natural resource protection, and climate change. They work to ensure that laws and regulations are enforced to protect the environment and human health. The Permaculture Design Course may be useful for Environmental Lawyers, as it can provide a deeper understanding of environmental issues and sustainability principles, which can inform their legal strategies and arguments.
Green Building Consultant
Green Building Consultants advise clients on how to design and construct sustainable buildings. They assess building plans, conduct energy audits, and recommend ways to reduce environmental impact. The Permaculture Design Course may be useful for Green Building Consultants, as it can provide a broader understanding of sustainability principles and ecological design, which can inform their recommendations and help them develop more effective green building strategies.
Sustainability Writer
Sustainability Writers communicate about environmental issues and sustainability practices to a variety of audiences. They write articles, blog posts, and other content that educates, inspires, and informs readers about ways to live more sustainably. The Permaculture Design Course may be useful for Sustainability Writers, as it can provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles and practices, which can enhance their writing and make their content more credible and informative.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Permaculture Design Course.
Provides practical guidance and techniques for implementing permaculture principles in a home garden setting. It covers topics such as soil management, water conservation, and plant selection, making it a valuable resource for those interested in applying permaculture to their own gardens.
Presents a practical approach to permaculture, emphasizing the importance of observation, understanding, and adaptation. It provides insights into the ethics and principles of permaculture, making it a helpful companion to the course's theoretical foundations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of permaculture, covering both the theoretical foundations and practical applications. It valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of permaculture principles and their implementation.
Offers a practical guide to designing and managing resilient farms and homesteads using permaculture principles. It covers topics such as soil health, water management, and food production, making it a valuable resource for those interested in sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency.
Is considered the pioneering work in permaculture design. It provides a framework for understanding the ecological principles underlying sustainable land use and offers practical techniques for implementing permaculture systems.
Offers a philosophical and theoretical exploration of permaculture, emphasizing the importance of ethics, resilience, and adaptability in the pursuit of sustainability. It thought-provoking read for those interested in the deeper implications of permaculture design.

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