Permaculture Design

Program Description

The Permaculture Design Certificate of Achievement program is designed to train students in the principles and practices of sustainable landscape creation and management. Students will acquire a firm foundation in the fundamentals of Permaculture including ethics, site analysis, creating sustainable garden and landscape habitats, soil and water care, and the use and processing of waste and energy. Specific practical applications of permaculture will include mushroom cultivation, beneficial pollinators, natural building, growing edible and useful plants, and food preservation. Students will also learn about the social, economic and ecological applications of Permaculture principles as it relates to local, regional, and global communities.

The certificate may be completed in 2 semesters. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the certificate requirements specified below.

Career Opportunities

1. Garden or park landscape / permaculture designer 2. Garden or park landscape / permaculture maintenance 3. City, County or Municipality permaculture / natural landscape / or regional parks gardener

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Design gardens that merge landscape design, sustainable agriculture and applied ecology for people and organisms.
2. Identify individual organisms and apply biological systems including plants, fungi, microorganisms, animals, and people to local gardens.
3. Manage the infrastructure web of social/ecological gardens, including people and plant communities, animal systems, soil generation, solar, and water systems.