Interconnected-Living

Module 1: Introduction to Design

• Group introductions
• Course orientation & requirements
• Group goals and guidelines
• Communication (NVC and conflict resolution)
• Indigenous learning principles, learning styles & multiple intelligences
  
  Learning Goals
• Set a course culture of safety, respect and organization
• Create a positive & effective learning environment
• Encourage active listening in groups
• Value different ways of communicating
• Orient participants to course content

Module 2: Foundations of Permaculture

• Definitions
• History of Permaculture
• Ethics
• Principles
  
  Learning Goals:
• Know the Permaculture ethics and the Transition ethic and how to apply them to conscious decision making
• Gain a strong understanding of nature’s principles and how they are at the foundation of design decisions and application
• Provide awareness of the world’s problems and the current situation
• Shift from a place of problems to positive solution based thinking

Feel confident in defining Permaculture clearly to others

Module 3a: Design Methods

• Needs, Functions and Outputs
• Zones
• Sectors
• Mapping
  
  Learning Goals:
• Understand how to do a needs & yields analysis
• Gain a base understanding of closed loop systems
• Observe a site, document and recognize available resources and design constraints based on analysis.
• Identify energies or influences that effect a design site
• Be able to create a base map including zones & sector analysis for a site

Know the basic elements included in mapping a site

Module 3b: Design, Media & Participatory Design Presentation with Mark Lakeman 

This presentation will walk through numerous examples of design process media. Each example will be presented as a case study, with the images shown in sequence in terms of the evolution of the design. Design project examples will range in scale from modest homesteads, to larger regenerative farm projects, to urban ecovillages and cohousing as well as numerous activist projects.

Module 4: Pattern Literacy

• Physical patterns, emergent patterns, fractal patterns
• Functions of patterns
• Patterns in time
• Behavioural patterns
• Application of patterns in design
• Guilds
  
  Learning Goals:
• Pattern recognition in nature and technology
• Understand the functions of patterns in nature and how to apply that knowledge to effective design
• Gain Pattern literacy and understand how to replace dysfunctional patterns with functional ones.
• Know the functions of and feel confident designing guilds
• Recognize that pattern literacy is fundamental in becoming good designers
  
  Module 5: Design for Soil
• Soil biology
• Soil classification and testing
• Biodynamics
• Soil remediation
• Composting
• Soil indicators
  
  Learning Goals :
• Have a base understanding of the components of healthy soil and know the value of building soil.
• Know different ways to test soil
• Recognize different plant indicators and what they tell about soil health.
• Understand a multitude of different ways to remediate and build soil.
• Apply different composting techniques in appropriate situations.
• Identify key plants that bring nutrient to the soil.
  
  Module 6: Design for Trees
• Ecological function of trees in relation to earth, water, air and energy
• Succession
• Polycultures
• Forest gardens and food forests
• Plants as soil indicators
• Design for trees
  
  Learning Goals :
• Understand the ecological functions of trees and recognize them as a keystone species in the ecosystem
• Learn the stages of succession and how to intervene at appropriate times.
• Know the layers in a forest garden and different plants for each layer that grow locally
• Be able to integrate trees adequately and appropriately in design.
  
  Module 7: Design for Animals
• Design for wild and domestic animals
• Animal care
• Integrated pest management
  
  Learning Goals :
• Recognize the intrinsic characteristics, functions and outputs of animals
• How to meet the needs of animals on site
• Learn techniques for integrating animal systems
• Understand effective and healthy ways to handle pests
• Know how to safely and ethically live with wildlife
  
  Module 8a: Design for Water, Aquaculture & Earthworks
  
  
• Water facts
• Water conservation
• Water strategies & techniques
• Waste water treatment
• Water harvesting & storage
• Earthworks
• Aquaculture
  
  Learning Goals :
• Understand how global water issues can affect us on a local level.
• Be able to do a water audit.
• Recognize multiple ways in which to conserve water.
• Feel confident in applying strategies and techniques to capture, store, treat and release water safely and appropriately.
• Know how to calculate roof water catchment amounts.
  
  Module 8b: Water with Mark Lakeman
  
  
• This presentation and dialogue will focus on doable, localized systems that reconnect people to their place. We will examine ways that people are typically disconnected from the source and story of their water, and in contrast we will look at easy ways to gather, store, use and reuse water that is simply falling upon us from the sky. Gravity fed systems will be emphasized, including how water related designs are integrated with other permaculture systems.
  
  Module 9a: Climate
  
  
• Climatic factors
• Microclimate
• Climate design strategies
• World climate
  
  Learning Goals :
• Understand climate on a global scale 
• Learn how to design in order to moderate and utilize climatic factors
• Be able to identify, create and design microclimates
  
  Module 9b: Energy with Mark Lakeman
  
  
• With a guiding urge to "get back into a groove with the universe", this presentation and dialogue will focus on passive, carbon negative solutions to meeting needs at the community scale. We will review the forces that we already have free access to in the world, and explore how to design and implement solutions that minimize our impact while maximizing our beneficial contributions.
  
  Module 9c: Natural Building with Mark Lakeman
  
  Module 10: Cool Climate Design
  
  
• Cool climate characteristics
• Cool climate design challenges and strategies
• Cool climate design elements, techniques and technologies
  
  Learning Goals :
• Learn how to effectively design homes, gardens, farms and communities in the Cool Climate.
  
  Module 11: Tropical Design
  
  
• Tropical climate characteristics
• Tropical climate design challenges and strategies
• Tropical climate design elements, techniques and technologies
  
  Learning Goals :
• Learn how to effectively design homes, gardens, farms and communities in the wet, wet dry and monsoon tropics
  
  Module 12: Dryland Design
  
  
• Dryland climate characteristics
• Dryland climate design challenges and strategies
• Dryland climate design elements, techniques and technologies
  
  Learning Goals :
• Learn how to effectively design homes, gardens, farms and communities in the drylands
  
  Module 13: Social Permaculture
  
  
• Client interview & designer checklist
• Community building including group processes
• Governance 
• Land access
• Right livelihood
• Legal structures
• Bioregionalism
  
  Learning Goals : 
• Gain confidence in the consultation and design process for clients.
• Be able to map assets and resources and identify community needs.
• Understand different models of decision making and how to apply them.
• Learn tools to provide for healthy group dynamics and efficient process.
• Recognize opportunities for land access locally.
• Become aware of ethical and effective business models and legal structures that support the local economy
• Know ways to relocalize and create resilient communities.
  
  Module 14a: OS Permaculture
  
  
• Resiliency
• Permaculture economics 
• Urban renewal strategies and design
  
  Learning Goals :
• Be able to identify risks and mitigate disaster using Permaculture design tools and techniques
• Know the steps in building an emergency preparedness plan and engaging local community in the process
• Learn a variety of different economic strategies and the value of utilizing multiple currencies and tools
• Feel confident in utilizing place-making tools, techniques and Permaculture strategies in urban environments
  
  Module 14b: Village Design with Mark Lakeman
  
  
• This presentation will be emphatic on a few core points as we explore numerous exhilarating design examples: That people thrive most when they enjoy interactive relationships within community, and they have access to participation in all systems and scales that affect their own lives. For a point of departure we will review the antithetical systems of colonialism that we presently inhabit, and look at ways that people are retrofitting and revolutionizing the colonial grid in order to find connection and empowerment while they heal themselves and the world.
  
  Module 14c: Legal and Prelegal Approaches with Mark Lakeman
  
  
• Like Mark's previous presentations, this subject will be approached from a strong social and economic justice perspective, but especially so this time. Though it has not been officially identified as an issue per se, in fact access to design services, funding, and the where with all to complete projects is of course a huge impediment for most low income and working class families. This list really starts with houseless people. So, in this presentation we will explore the many ways that people work to meet their needs, including people who have the resources to proceed with code-approved and funded projects, people who either need to skirt regulations in order to innovate, or else people who simply must build without authorization in order to survive through the night.
  
  Module 15: Design Futures
  
  
• Next steps (setting up a permaculture practice, further education, community involvement, goal sharing)
• Education (accessibility, open source, alternative education)
• Mapping and design presentations
• Talent show
• Certificates
  
  Demonstrations and optional activities throughout the course:
  
  
• Design Charrettes
• Earthworks demonstration
• Integrative games
• Compost building
• Soil analysis
• 
  Additional Topics:
• Medicinal plants & preparations
• Homesteading
• Plant Identification
• Fermentation
• Non-violent communication
• Placemaking
  
  Completion Requirements :
• The certification from The Permaculture Institute granted upon completion of the course, empowers participants as permaculture designers, consultants and beginner teachers. Graduates can use the word permaculture legally in their practice, business or project. 

  This unique certification is a practical path for upgrading your life, resume and portfolio. There is no time limit to complete the certification. 

  Working toward certification is not a requirement. Students may attend the course without completing the material required to attain the certificates. It’s a fun way to journey with likeminded people with experiential education. 

• I don’t require those taking the course to participate in the certification requirements. 
• Many people take the program and do not do the questions and project. 
• No one knows who is doing or not doing this work. 
• Those wanting the certification will complete:
  • Map and design project
  • 100% attendance (no more than 4 missed live classes and all recordings watched)
  • Watching all pre recorded media and virtual tours
  • Completion of short quizzes on each topic 
  • Contribution to the online forums
    
    Graduating & Jobs
  • Having a Permaculture Design Certificate from a recognized training institute will empower participants as permaculture designers, consultants and beginner teachers able to use the word permaculture legally in their practice, business or project. This sustainability education eco-training certificate is a practical path for greening your life, resume and portfolio. You will have a green edge when applying for jobs, grants or school program.