Students from the perfect retreat hut class of last year thought some planning experts might be brought to Diamond Mountain and one of the teachers, Kathryn Ehrhorn, got permission from the board to entertain bids. Kathryn and Allegra Ahlquist, the other teacher, then arranged for an initial visit from Regenesis. Tim Murphy and Ben Haggard from Regenesis, a permaculture design and consulting firm, came to Diamond Mountain to meet with a core group of individuals, then the board, then the community as a whole, and discuss the basic precepts of permaculture, and how we might use these ideas to develop a plan wherein:
Both the land and the people, plants, and animals who live here can be positively influenced
by every action we take as we develop DMU&RC
This is a
link to a PDF that explains the basic concepts of permaculture
This is there original Proposal
After a request from Kathryn they offered this Breakout
Although at first glance this seems like a lot of money, the value of a comprehensive plan for developing this land in harmony with nature as an expression of our practice and commitment to the Buddhist ideals of service and respect for all beings we interact with, can not be over stated.
Regenesis has a proven 20 year track record. They have worked for dozens of spiritual communities in the US and around the world with incredible success.
Regenesis, Tim Murphy and Ben Haggard and what they have done.
http://www.regenesisgroup.com/index.html
Here is a PDF of their Site Assessment Brochure
Here is a powerpoint presentaion using watershed management as an example of Permaculture Concepts in Practice or try this
Collected Writings of David Holmgren 1978-2000
http://www.holmgren.com.au/html/Publications/collectedwritings.html
A collection of twenty-seven magazine articles, conference papers, public lectures,
book reviews, and other works by David Holmgren, co-creator of
permaculture. Holmgren has made these PDF's available on the web as
screen-readable only. A CD version is for-sale, which allows full access
including print as well as permission to copy and use for workshops.
Altogether, a valuable contribution to the web from someone who's spent
a lifetime developing and working out the details of permaculture design.
A Permaculture Primer
By Dan Earle and Sue Hutchins
http://home.klis.com/~chebogue/PermacultureIndex.html
http://permaculture.info/index.php excellent resource for use of plants
Introduction
to Permaculture: http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/perma.html
ATTRA - National
Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Permaculture International Limited http://www.nor.com.au/environment/perma/
http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC28/Mollison.htm article by Bill Mollison on a very useful page WELCOME! Since 1979 Context Institute, a nonprofit research organization, has been exploring and clarifying just what is involved in a humane sustainable culture - and how we can get there. We invite you to join us in this adventure!
http://www.sonoranpermaculture.org/ local permaculture group
Permaculture Dry lands Institute http://www.permaculture.net/PDI%20Web/PDI.html
Discussion of the importance of Reparian zones