The Prime Directive of Permaculture

"The only ethical decision is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children. Make it Now."Bill Mollison

“Permaculture is a whole design science that is reflective of natural patterns and promotes mutually beneficial relationships. Rooted in ethics, the concepts and themes in Permaculture help us rediscover how to be a positive contribution to the earth, ourselves and humanity.” Benjamin Fahrer

The Ethical Intention of Permaculture

Earth Care

Care of the Earth. Allowing provisions and resources for all life systems to continue and multiply.

People Care

Care of People. Allowing provisions for people to access those resources necessary to their existence.

Fair Share

Returning any surplus and setting limits to population and consumption. By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside for the earth and others.

The Roots of Permaculture Practice

Protracted And Thoughtful Observation (P.A.T.O):

Observation that takes place over an extended period of time with thoughtful intention to our interactions with elemental forces, patterns and cycles of the natural world.

The Principles of Permaculture 

Work with Nature:

Work with rather than against the natural elements, forces, processes, agencies and evolutions, so that we can assist rather than impede natural developments. (Use gravity, native species, the sun, the wind, etc.)

The Problem is an Opportunity:

Everything works both ways. It is only how we see things that makes them advantageous or not. Everything is a positive resource.

Make the Least Change for the Greatest Possible Effect:

Make work a source and not a sink of your energy.

The Yield of the System is Theoretically Unlimited:

The only limits on the number of possible uses of a resource within a system are limits in the designer's information and imagination.

Everything is Connected:

Everything gardens and has an effect on its environment.

Relinquishing Power:

The role of beneficial authority is to return function and responsibility to life and people.

Unknown good Benefit:

If we start with good intentions, other good things follow naturally.

Succession of Evolution:

Natural design follows a pattern of evolution that is working towards stability and resiliency. Our own designs can follow suit.

Cyclical Opportunity:

Every cyclical event increases the opportunity for yield to be increased. Increasing cycling is to increase yield.

Functional Design:

All functions are supported by many elements while each element performs many functions. This is sometimes called "Function Stacking".

Stability:

This is created by a number of beneficial connections between diverse beings.

Information as a resource:

Information is the critical potential resource. Bad information can result in a poor design, likewise good information increases opportunity for a good design.

Relative Location:

Through proper placement of elements we can save time and energy.