Welcome to the free self-paced Last Ditch Urban permaculture course! There are 12 units in total, each with a video and some reflection questions. I recommend getting a little notebook to make notes and observations in and to follow along. If you’re looking for a basic introduction to permaculture, I highly recommend Heather Jo Flores’ free permaculture course. If you want a quick introduction to the Permaculture Principles, check out this explainer by Andrew Millison.
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Unit 1: Observe and Interact
Reflection Questions:
1. What is something you observe about your neighborhood?
2. What animals and plants live there/move through it?
3. What are some of the strengths/weaknesses? (Natural and human made)
Resources:
1.
Unit 2: Catch and Store Energy
Reflection Questions:
1. What energy is already being captured and stored in your neighbourhood? Where are there missed opportunities for capturing and storing energy? (Example: leaves that are collected and carried away rather than spread on garden beds)
2. What energy needs do you have that aren’t being met? What systems could you build or tap into to meet those needs?
3. If any of the existing energy systems were to fail, what contingencies (back ups) are available?
Resources:
1.
Unit 3: Obtain a Yield
Reflection Questions:
1.
Resources:
1.
Unit 4: Apply self regulation and accept feedback
Unit 5: Produce no waste
Unit 6: Use renewable resources and services
Unit 7: Design from pattern to detail
Reflection Questions:
1. What used to be where the city you live in now is? What is the natural history of the area if you go back 50, 100, 200 years?
2. What patterns do you notice in your area? What patterns may be hidden?
3. What patterns might make sense for your growing area?
Unit 8: Integrate rather than segregate
Unit 9: Use small and slow solutions
Unit 10: Use and value diversity
Unit 11: Use Edges and value the marginal
Unit 12: Creatively Use and Respond to Change
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