Permaculture event to show caring, sharing

By Nelson Lebo for the

Whanganui Chronicle·

13 Sep, 2013 08:21 PM4 mins to read

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Wanganui permaculturists Mark Christensen and Noelene Landrigan show touring Australian visitors through their property.

My best description of eco-design is this: It works with nature, not against it; it is holistic, not reductionist; it takes advantage of free and abundant energy flows; and it is good for people and the environment.

My wife, Dani, and I have demonstrated the power of eco-design through our

While there are many forms of eco-design, one that appears to have established itself in New Zealand and Wanganui is permaculture. Like all eco-design systems, permaculture is science-based, but since its founding in the 1970s, permaculture has also been grounded in ethics - these ethics are care for the Earth; care for people; share surplus resources.

In the case of practising permaculturists, sharing surplus resources can take many forms. For example, surpluses may be fruits and veges, nuts, seeds, seedlings, saplings, or even funding for a community project.

Many readers will be familiar with the generosity of local permaculturists Mark Christensen, Melinda Hatherly, Murray Jones, and Noelene Landrigan. For my part, surpluses do not include seedlings, saplings, or funding, but rather enthusiasm, experience, and knowledge.

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I am happy to share the story of our eco-thrifty renovation with readers of the Chronicle on a weekly basis because it is a way for me to care for people and the Earth.

In other words, when readers adopt ideas from this column, they can save resources and money, live healthier lives, and have less impact on the environment.

Dani and I operate the ECO School, which is dedicated to providing high quality sustainability education to anyone who wants to learn.

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We believe that community sustainability and resilience is best achieved through holistic, co-operative efforts that are open to all who want to be involved. Over the last two years the ECO School has partnered with dozens of community organisations, religious groups, local businesses, schools, adult learning centres, and individuals on a wide range of projects.

Our next project is a co-operative effort involving local permaculturists eager to share examples of how they care for the Earth and for people - this Permaculture Weekend takes place on September 20-22.

It kicks off with a shared meal at the Quaker Settlement on the Friday, at 6pm followed by a speaker at 7.30pm. Saturday and Sunday will offer field trips, workshops and presentations. All events are open to the public and any type of koha will be accepted.

Whanganui Permaculture Weekend

Earth Care ~ People Care ~ Fair Share

September 20-22.

Please consider koha for each event, kia ora.

Friday, September 20

6pm - Shared Meal at Quaker Settlement. 76 Virginia Rd. Wanganui.

7.30pm - Presentation on Permaculture Projects on the Settlement.

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Saturday, September 21

9am-1pm - River Traders Market, Taupo Quay, Whanganui.

Programme below takes place at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre Education Room, 83 Maria Place, Wanganui.

10.15am-10.45am - Tour of the new Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre (SWT) and Sustainable Whanganui Trust, Whanganui Environment Base (WhEB).