Permaculture Design Certification, May 23rd - June 4th 2010, Nelson BC

The Certification:
Permaculture is a design system for creating dynamic and sustainable human environments. This course is for those who want to link the personal with the planetary, so as to lessen their ecological footprint and make sustainability a key part of their lives and legacy. With approximately 72 hours of classroom and hands on instruction, this two week intensive course will provide you with a tool box of skills that will allow you to design and implement living environments that are both regenerative and sustainable, in both rural and urban settings.

This course will be inspiring and useful for individuals at all levels of experience - from backyard gardeners to professional farmers, and from design professionals to entrepreneurs interested in developing the knowledge and skills to create a whole systems approach to ecological living. Whatever your interest - gardening or farming, designing & building homes, urban and rural planning, eco - business or green living, permaculture design principles will empower you to make positive changes as an individual and in communities,  towards creating a bright and sustainable future.

Course will cover:
   Theory and principles of permaculture
   Eco-friendly house placement and design
   Energy conservation techniques for cold climates
   Renewable energy systems, feasibility, placement and design
   Recycling and waste management
   Organic food production
   Cold temperate food forest design based on Cdn.climatic conditions
   Water harvesting and management
   Grey water utilization and management
   Ecological pest control
   Drought-proofing
   Soil rehabilitation and erosion control
   Sustainable livestock management
   Aquaculture systems and design
   Catastrophe preparedness and prevention
   Windbreaks and fire control
   Additional Workshops will be included

All students will receive their own copy of Bill Mollison's: Permaculture A Designers Manual. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Permaculture Design Certificate. Course completion is based upon attendance and a group presentation  of a final design project.

The Location:
Mountain Waters Retreats is located on a mountainside, 2.5 kilometers above Nelson BC. Our Retreat Facility is surrounded on three sides by the 27,000 hectare West Arm Wilderness Park and is within walking distance of the town of Nelson and all of its amenities. We are fortunate stewards of a unique piece of land that has cultivated meadows, old and diverse forests and bubbling creeks that run out of the parkland above us. The 150 acre Svaboda farm of which we are a part, has a 100 year old history of human habitation that has not diminished the very strong spirit of the land.

Our facility includes private rooms, cabins and dorm accommodation as well as two beautiful large group teaching rooms.

Course will be taught by Rob Avis of Verge Permaculture (formerly RAVIS Sustainable).

Course fees for the two week program, include all meals,  supplies and instruction.

Private Room $1900.- Shared Cabins $1650.-
Camping & Dorm $1450.- + gst

 For more information contact:
Val Andrews at 403-690-0356 (in Alberta) or email: earthspirittechnologies@shaw.ca

or visit www.mountainwatersretreats.ca