For those who are concerned about nature, you have probably heard of the term “Permaculture”. The word is coined from “permanent”, “culture” and “agriculture”, which was developed for the sustainable living movement initiated by ecologists Bill Mollison and his student David Holmgren in the 1970s. Permaculture is not a farming technique, but a set of design principles and practices for sustainable living. It integrates the principles of various disciplines, including Earth Sciences, Ecology and Agronomy, and it aims to achieve Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share (the three ethics). Permaculture could be the solution to the most pressing question:  how to live sustainably and in harmony with our rapidly degrading planet?

Like the rich biodiversity in a healthy ecosystem, the participants were from all walks of life: landscape designers, architects, nature educators, habitat restoration scientists, merchandisers, farmers, coffee shop owners etc. On the very first day, we were asked to write something about ourselves on a human-shaped paper, with information like our name, what we enjoy doing and what we are good at etc. After thinking thoroughly what I usually do at work - working with villagers near nature reserves, I frankly put down: "Eating and Drinking in Villages" (hum…). 

Then we were asked to link with people related to us with a rope and surprisingly…I was linked with SO! MANY! PEOPLE!

I was amazed  by such a complex network among this diverse group of people. We have learned that as long as the network is complex enough, no one would fall even some of us let go of the rope, just like the strong resilience we find in a healthy ecosystem. In the following days of the course, we keep learning from the Mother Nature, looking for linkages in nature and among different elements, and applying them in our daily lives.

Waste is just a resource in the wrong place

In Permaculture Design, waste equals resource. For example, approximately one third of the municipal waste is leftover foods. Have you ever think of where can they end up besides landfills? Have you ever imagine leftovers could be turned into food again? Here is an example:

Citrus peels from our tea break


Permaculture Exercise: Firstly, dig a hole, pour the food waste and mix with garden wastes


Secondly, cover them with mulch, then plant some bananas and sweet potatoes


The completed “Banana Circle”!

The food waste will decompose and release nutrients for the crops. Together with sunlight, rain and air provided by nature, bananas and sweet potatoes will be ready to harvest in several months! Planting this “Banana Circle” is easy, as long as we make careful observations and link up the inputs and outputs with creativity. When we put “waste” in the right place, it is actually a resource!

My group demonstrating the “Sweet Olive-Rabbit Circle” design

Photos of banana monoculture taken in Nabang Wetland in Yingjiang, Yunnan. It is imposing severe and adverse environmental impacts on the important bird habitat.

Nevertheless, banana is the main income source of the villagers. Is there any way that can strike a balance between the needs of people and the environment?

The answer is YES! One of the principals of permaculture is to look for solutions in the problem. For example, if dry land crop cannot be planted in the lowland due to water logging, why not make a pond and plant aquatic plants? People spray large amount of chemicals to prevent pests in monoculture, however, the reason behind any pest outbreak is the imbalance of the ecosystem. Instead of spraying more pesticides, why not mimic the nature and plant a multi-layered agroforest with diverse crops? In a natural ecosystem, every species have their own positions, they interact and interdepend on each other to achieve stability and balance. As long as we make good observations and conduct detailed research, we can put everything in their right place, and the problems would be solved. 

Hui-I is demonstrating how to use sector analysis to understand sun and wind directions, and how to place elements in appropriate areas for achieving highest energy efficiency.
 

We are practicing permaculture farm design with zone and sector planning. We studied the topography and put elements in different zones based on input intensity and relationships among themselves.

Robyn is introducing polyculture which can increase biodiversity, while increase income and reduce risk of farmers.


A multi-layered fruit forest designed by Taiwan participants.


Our group presenting our final design project: Children’s nature education center on the rooftop of Wutongdao, with a name that means “Planting in the Clouds”.

My fence design that allows children to enjoy the scenery, harvest beans and fruits, and rest under shade.

We were exposed to a wide range of subjects in this 14-day intensive Permaculture Design Course, and gained a lot of knowledge and inspiration. We believe there are many things we can do to harmonise people with the degrading environment through applying concepts of permaculture, from our small balcony at home to community-scale or even city-scale planning. What is more, there are so many like-minded people around us! And we are looking forward to seeing the creative permaculture systems from all over the world in the future!   

Group photo of our permaculture class

Author: Joanne Li (Assistant Agro-ecosystem Officer of Kadoorie Conservation China Department)