Ciclo Sustainable & Kiahkeya present:

Introduction to Permaculture and Plant Knowledge Retreat

Gaia-Connection -July 17th through 25th

This course is an introduction to Permaculture and some of its principles. Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies. (Terms where coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, and stands for Permanent Agriculture, or even the broader Permanent Culture). The idea here is to reconnect with the natural world, and learn how to listen to nature’s signs again. In doing so establish a symbiosis with our planet. We can not only take, take, take. As stewards of this blue spaceship we need to learn how to take proper care of it.

In this course you will have an introduction to basic concepts of Permaculture such as rainwater harvesting, Agro forestry, Solar Heating of water and ecological construction methods such as Super Adobe and Ferro-Cement. The courses will be taught by João Amorim, Sandesh Antunes, Namaste Messerschmidt, Mariana Ayabe, Lia Bigaton, Marcos Pitombo and Julio Itacaramby.

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Ciclo [SEE-kloo, Portuguese for Cycle] functions as a training ground and dissemination point for permaculture ideas and practical skills.  We fund and find volunteers and beneficiaries for projects ranging from tree planting to super-adobe to rainwater capture to solar panels and beyond.  

Our staging grounds are the Cerrado in Brazil (see “Meet the Cerrado” to the right), an at-risk environment with a wealth of biodiversity, and our home in the US - New York.  No matter where you are, learning broad concepts and then distilling them down to locally appropriate iterations is the key.

Our approach is highly participatory.  Rather than simply requesting funding and encouraging armchair environmentalism, we invite people to get involved.  Volunteers from all over enjoy the benefits of hands on learning, practicing and experimenting with permaculture ideas, and being rejuvenated through the wonders of nature.  Those who can’t stop by we keep involved through photos, videos, and tips they can apply at home.  We involve local communities in assessing strengths and needs, teaching and learning.