The Domestication Spectrum: How Our Relationships With Plants and Animals Define Our Existence
Biodiversity, Bird Life, Consumerism, Economics, Fish, Food Forests, Food Plants - Annual, Food Plants - Perennial, General, Livestock, People Systems, Plant Systems, Society, Village Development — by Kyle Chamberlain March 4, 2010
by Kyle Chamberlain, The Human Habitat Project
Our bonds with other species are as vital, to survival, as our bonds with other people. If we don’t choose our company carefully, disaster is likely to ensue.
As a species, we should be shopping for the best relationships. There’s a lot a stake, and we don’t want to be abused or neglected. When searching for a good fit, we should keep in mind the following characteristics of good relationships.
Comments (2)Life at Zaytuna – Why Work When You Can Fish?
Biodiversity, Fish, Society — by Craig Mackintosh July 24, 2009
Note for American readers: Exchange the word ‘dam’ in this post for ‘pond-that’s-formed-by-a-dam-wall’, and you’ll get what we antipodeans mean 
Photographs copyright © Craig Mackintosh
A few days ago I spotted Geoff wearing a t-shirt with the message "Born to Fish, Forced to Work" emblazoned across the chest. After the swimming pool conversion story I ran a few days ago, I wanted to capture Geoff pulling in one of his own fish, from the dam that is literally just a few metres from the kitchen here at Zaytuna. But, like the t-shirt says, work keeps getting in the way. Trying to save the planet seems to keep one occupied, for some reason.
Anyway, as luck would have it, today I discovered someone who isn’t forced to work – a lad named Thomas, son of Greg Knibbs, who many of you will know (Greg co-taught a PDC in Melbourne with Bill Mollison and our Geoff last September/October). Young Thomas caught four fish today, the largest of which you can see below – a nice plump bass.
Comments (3)Convert Your Eco-Unfriendly Swimming Pool into a Biologically Active and Attractive Fish Farm!
Animal Forage, Aquaculture, Biological Cleaning, Fish, Food Plants - Perennial, Food Shortages, Natural Swimming, Plant Systems, Urban Projects — by Craig Mackintosh July 21, 2009
Could converting swimming pools into fish ponds be another way to increase food security as we head out onto peak oil’s downhill slope?
A Permaculture fish pond in development
Swimming pools get a bad rap in enviro-circles, and for good reason. They cost a great deal to construct – using a lot of CO2 intensive materials in the process – they waste huge amounts of water and energy for maintenance, use chemicals to keep them clear and ’safe’, and they take up a lot of space that could be utilised for more productive purposes (like growing veggies!). Many people also just find them a lot of work to look after, which is especially annoying when their usage is often only seasonal at best.
But, what if you’re already lumbered with a pool and are trying to make the best of the situation? Maybe it came with your property, or hindsight has kicked in after you’ve shelled out thousands to install something you almost never use…. What then?
Comments (13)Blue Desert
Biodiversity, Consumerism, Economics, Fish, Food Shortages — by George Monbiot June 2, 2009
Why is no one brave enough to stand up to the fishing industry?
by George Monbiot: journalist, author, academic and environmental and political activist, United Kingdom
I live a few miles from Cardigan Bay. Whenever I can get away, I take my kayak down to the beach and launch it through the waves. Often I take a handline with me, in the hope of catching some mackeral or pollock. On the water, sometimes five kilometres from the coast, surrounded by gannets and shearwaters, I feel closer to nature than at any other time.
Cardigan Bay, Wales
Feeding Frenzy
Biodiversity, Consumerism, Fish — by George Monbiot May 13, 2009
Editor’s Note: Before reading George’s excellent piece below, check out this totally engrossing footage of the sea’s most maligned creature. The video features bull and tiger sharks (notice one bull shark has a deformed jaw, from being hooked at some point). The clip may give you an even greater appreciation of the tragedy found in the facts George shares with us. May we hasten to the safe haven of sustainability before there’s nothing left…
Why is it still acceptable to eat the endangered large predators of the sea?
by George Monbiot: journalist, author, academic and environmental and political activist, United Kingdom
To Ransom A. Myers, who died on March 27th, 2008.
If these animals lived on land there would be a global outcry. But the great beasts roaming the savannahs of the open seas summon no such support. Big sharks, giant tuna, marlin and swordfish should have the conservation status of the giant panda or the snow leopard. Yet still we believe it is acceptable for fishmongers to sell them and celebrity chefs to teach us how to cook them.
Each Step is the Way – Part II
Bird Life, Breeds, Dams, Demonstration Sites, Fish, Land, Swales, Water Harvesting — by David Perkins May 10, 2009
[Editor's Note: If you are involved in a project, anywhere, that is rooted in sustainability (i.e. that is aimed at sustainably meeting the needs of people, place and planet), then we always welcome written pieces, with photos, so you can tell the world about it - and inspire people to follow your lead. David's post below is an example of the same. To contribute or to bounce a post idea off me, you can contact me on editor (at) permaculture.org.au]
Recent developments at Kailash-Akhara, Adi Yoga Retreat Center, Phu Rua, Loei, Thailand.
By David Perkins (Dharmadeva) – Farm Manager and resident permaculture designer and educator at Kailash-Akhara.
Ducks
Our duck population has exploded from 4 to 22. We have been keeping Muscovy ducks (1 male and 3 females) since December, and their reputation for prolific breeding has proven to be true! After we noticed some ducklings were dying shortly after hatching, we found that well-timed human intervention was necessary to reduce suffocation or trampling in the nest. This resulted in 18 survivors, who have been a delight to watch this month. The adults keep laying, so we now need to eat more fresh eggs to keep the size of the flock manageable, while looking forward to some home-grown meat in due course.
Vuon – Ao – Chuong – The Traditional Vietnamese Farm
Aquaculture, Eco-Villages, Fish, Food Forests, Land, Livestock, Plant Systems, Village Development, Waste Systems & Recycling — by Nguyen Van Man October 4, 2008
by Nguyen Van Man
VAC is an acronym formed from the three Vietnamese words Vuon, garden or orchard, Ao, fish pond, and Chuong, pigsty or poultry shed. It refers to a form of domestic agriculture in which food gardening, fish rearing and animal husbandry are wholly integrated, and stems from farming methods developed in the Red River delta of Vietnam.
The VAC system is a highly intensive method of small scale farming that makes optimal use of land, water and solar energy, achieving high economic efficiency for low capital investment. Plants are used for food, fibre, and fuel, and always products are passed into the production cycle. Developed from age old production agricultural practices, VAC farming now takes place in many regions of Vietnam, with models varying according to the terrain and the climate.
Comments (5)Backyard Aquaponics
Aquaculture, Fish, Plant Systems — by Administrator December 11, 2005
This just in, from Christopher Nesbitt:
“Backyard Aquaponics” is a new book by Joel Malcolm, an innovator in Perth, Australia and is well worth a look.
Aquaponics is a very simple and efficient system involving aquaculture and hydroponics. The system is dependent on plants in grow beds, generally pea gravel, being used to filter out fish manure and other material while aerating the water to maintain oxygen levels.
Joel’s book is substantial, with plenty of information and is broken down into several chapters, spread out over 113 pages of text, photos, graphs and diagrams. In it he does a good job in pulling the reader into the wonderful world of aquaponics by creating a seductive and idyllic picture of the productive system in his backyard.
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