Bill Mollison Interview from 1991
General — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor October 7, 2008
Editor’s Note: Here’s a great Bill Mollison interview to throw into the mix. The interviewer is Alan AtKisson, who caught Bill in Seattle in ‘91, and interviewed him in a downtown hotel to the ironic accompaniment of traffic noise.
Alan: Permaculture is a slippery idea to me. But from what I read, it seems that not even those who actually do permaculture really know what it is.
Bill: I’m certain I don’t know what permaculture is. That’s what I like about it – it’s not dogmatic. But you’ve got to say it’s about the only organized system of design that ever was. And that makes it extremely eerie.
Alan: Why "eerie"?
Comments (3)Projects – On-the-Ground Permaculture Experience
General — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor September 16, 2008
Why roughing it in Africa or South America or Asia might be the best thing to happen to you.
The more astute amongst you may have noticed we’ve added a ‘Projects’ section to the site. Over time we’ll build this section up to better reflect the kind of permaculture work that is going on worldwide. We also plan to add a ‘People’ section, where we profile permaculturists (minimum requirement that they’ve taken a Permaculture Design Certificate course), so that project leaders can find workers, and vise versa.
As we see it, PDC courses serve a great need to give people an overview of permaculture design methods, but post-PDC activity is critical for people to gain hands-on experience in developing permaculture systems. People with experience can ultimately consult for individuals in their area, and those with sufficient knowledge and experience can consult for aid organisations, NGOs and even governments. As the global food crisis deepens, and energy issues become more pronounced, we’re seeing demand for such consultants significantly increase.
Ask people like Geoff Lawton, Darren Doherty and others and you’ll discover they do not have enough hours in their days to fill all the requests that are being fired at them. The more humanitarian-minded amongst you will quickly see the potential here, where consulting for cash for a business or individual in a wealthy country one week can enable you to consult for free for a poor community the next.
Comments (0)Developed?
General — by Craig Mackintosh PRI Editor August 19, 2008
Okay class – hands up all who live in a developing nation. Hmm… not so many. Now, hands up those that live in a developed nation. Aah… quite a few.
Developing. Developed. International media of every kind use these words constantly. They seem to be globally understood, at least if the frequency of their usage is anything to go by, but despite using these terms myself I must confess that I’m struggling with their meaning. I get the context okay; I’m pretty sure I’m placing the words in the correct place, using them in appropriate contexts – but when I stop to consider the base definition, that’s when the proverbial spanner is thrown into the whirring cogs and gears of my mind.
Hypocrites Unite!
General — by George Monbiot August 9, 2008
At least we have some ideals to fall short of.
by George Monbiot – journalist, author, academic and environmental and political activist
In her new book, Not In My Name, Julie Burchill reserves her grandest fury about hypocrites for environmentalists. We are, she says, pious, sexless and contemptuous of humankind. All of us are posh and rich, and have found in environmentalism a new excuse for lecturing the poor. We tell other people to live by rules we don’t apply to ourselves.
Like all stereotypes, these claims are lazy, familiar and sometimes true. Burchill knows nothing about environmentalism and, almost as a point of pride, hasn’t bothered to find out, but when you use grapeshot you are bound to hit someone. Yes, many prominent greens are posh gits like me. The same can be said of journalists, politicians, artists, academics, business leaders: in fact of just about anyone in public life. But it is always the greens who are singled out. In truth, while the upper middle classes are, as always, over-represented in the media, the movement cuts across the classes. A recent ICM poll found that more people in social classes D and E thought the government should prioritise the environment over the economy (56%) than in classes A and B (47%)(1).
Comments (0)Claiming the Common Ground
Community Projects, General — by Lena Jarlov June 24, 2008
Swedish architect and researcher Lena Jarlov looks at the history and value of creating gardens in the grounds of apartment buildings. She says that these forgotten areas can be transformed into places of rich human exchange. Also, by cultivating food gardens, the tenants reconnect with the earth and can harvest chemical-free vegetables, fruit and berries.
Our towns and cities are full of unrealised gardens and it is important and urgent that we bring them to life. Everywhere in the towns and cities of the industrialised world there are areas with asphalt, unused lawns, thorny, ugly shrubberies or nothing at all; areas which seem to be calling out for somebody to occupy them and make gardens.
Many of these areas are situated on grounds belonging to blocks of flats. The official garden culture in such sites is aimed at making management of these areas as ‘rational’ and effective as possible. The tenants are supposed to use the grounds for play and recreation but not for their own gardening. The result is barren and monotonous environments, which adults only pass on their way to and from home, or in which they stay to look after their children.
It seems that either a famine or a garden cultural revolution is necessary to make the inhabitants in these areas get out, occupy the grounds, and cultivate them. Perhaps we can avoid the famine if we can start the cultural revolution!
Comments (2)School gardens
General — by Murray Gray December 15, 2007
Leonie Shanahan has been teaching Sunshine Coast school children how to grow their own food at school and then enjoying yummy vegetables harvested fresh from their own Permaculture gardens.The innovative program, introduced into seven schools across the Coast, provides the children with the opportunity of learning how food is grown using Permaculture principles and the results have been very encouraging.
In partnership with local schools over a period of 12-18 months Leonie teaches the students about Permaculture and assist the students to design their own Permaculture vegetable garden.
Comments (0)Peak Permaculture
General — by Murray Gray April 11, 2006
Hello, my name is Thomas Bell, I’m a designer……. & as a designer, I come to you with a design in mind ***
So .. as a designer .. I see the world as a design problem .. & what I’d like to do today .. is talk about some designs .. & talk about design as a whole, & as human intention .. because, I think @ this point in our history .. we have to look back @ our designs & ask ourselves .. did we really intend to see the things in the way we see the world today .. & as we study the tragedies from both environmental and political perspectives .. we can ask ourselves .. was that intentional.***
Let me give you the first industrial revolution .. & its effects from an environmentalists perspective .. & ask you .. if this was our design intention .. would you design a system .. & wake up every morning to actively participate in its continuation where we measure our prosperity by how many natural resources we cut down .. dig up .. bury .. burn or otherwise destroy.***
Measure progress by the number of smoke stacks, & if you’re especially proud, put your names on them, measures productivity by how few people are working .. requires 1000’s of company regulations to stop you from killing yourself to quickly .. & destroys biological & cultural diversity @ every turn seeking a 1 size fits all solution .. & while your @ it produce a few things so highly toxic that it will require 1000’s of generations to maintain constant vigilance, while living in fear.***
When, if ever did we give the right to an individual, a corporation, government or otherwise to pollute our rivers & release neotoxins into the environment, to openly recommend dodgy medicines & pharmaceuticals that link outbreaks of cancer, ADD, birth defects, nervous & learning disorders & respiratory illnesses’ .. & with every individual health problem, we do create many jobs .. but I ask you, is this our job creation program .. if anyone has trouble with this concept .. reflect on this.***
Global politics, the world stock markets & legal systems are broken .. it’s broken for reasons far greater than what used to be called corruption & its accelerating economic & ecological collapse .. but there’s also a secret paradox @ play .. because while we’ve been distracted by measuring holes of ozone over antarctica & putting both global warming & climate change under the microscope .. we might have actually missed the point all together .. as evidence grows stronger that global oil production has peaked .. so to, has denial .. there are distinct correlation’s between this bogus war on terror, oil
price hikes, military budget increases, weapons deployment, warfare & covert operations around the world .. & it’s very clear, this psychopathic pattern will continue.***
But each lesson we learn, as Iraq is pointing out .. that when you see a tragedy & allow it to perpetuate, then we participate in the tragedy itself .. it’s no longer possible @ this point in our cultural history for us to sit back & watch these tragedies week after week & say .. it’s not part of our plan .. because apparently it is .. & this approach makes no sense whatsoever.. these things are happening & will continue to happen because; we have no plan.***
In contrast to that .. don’t we then have to start, first & foremost by reexamining what’s the purpose of this pointless & destructive behaviour .. & if the answer continues to remain profitability & shareholder satisfaction .. I’m afraid this will no longer be a satisfactory enough answer .. so to, this issue of disconnecting profitability with environmental intelligence, is something that’s got to end .. the driving forces behind the first industrial revolution are wasteful, unsustainable, under increasing stress & fundamentally flawed .. we must demonstrate another alternative & a better industrial revolution .. & get it right this time .. on that note .. it’s paramount we have to construct together a strategy of change, set on a list of simple & basic design principles .. then
perhaps .. we could have a strategy of hope to offer our children.***
Mark Twain said frankly .. “some times I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it.” I tend to lean toward this observation myself also.***
In 1838, Emerson went to Harvard to give a lecture titled “Nature” .. & in that lecture his question was this .. “if human beings are natural .. are therefore all things made by humans part of nature ?” .. & his conclusion was this .. if nature is all the things that are immutable .. what he called unchangeable essences .. the things too big for humans to effect .. like the oceans .. the mountains .. the land & the trees .. we then have to ask ourselves .. was his conclusion correct..? .. & are we effecting these things ? .. & I think we all know the answer to that one .. well, to me this means we need a new design .. because the whole concept of a truly self sustaining, unpolluting, energy efficient world,
will ultimately require business to honour the needs of commerce [ to be ethical & profitable]. The needs of society [ to be ethical & fair] & the need for our natural systems to be maintained in a healthy state .. it’s that simple.***
Now looking @ it from the business side with an environmental perspective .. is that now, everyone’s working @ trying to be less bad .. but is being less bad .. being good ? .. or .. is it being bad .. but less so .. what is for sure though, is that being less bad is not being good .. it’s also interesting that debate today between commerce & environment is growth .. no growth .. both industry & businesses are saying that growth is the engine of commerce .. but on the flip side, environmentalists are shouting we have to stop growth, it’s destroying the world .. but growth is good .. a tree that grows is good ..a child that grows is good .. but the fundamental question is this .. “what do you want to grow” ..
health or sickness .. intelligence or stupidity .. prosperity or poverty, you choose.***
Well .. if we go back, way back to 1973 .. & to everyone’s surprise .. something other than a human had the right to even exist .. with the endangered species act .. but today, our discussions have evolved into the rights for ecosystems to now exist, expanding our very concepts of the environment & nature as a whole.***
But if we apply natures laws of growth is good, what we realise then, is that we need some new criteria .. business in general use 3 criteria .. permaculture uses them also .. cost, performance & aesthetics [can I afford it, does it work & do I like it .. within permaculture we’ve actually added 3 more .. is it ecologically intelligent, is it just & is it fun.***
Permaculture is the ultimate study of both design & natural self regulating energy systems & contrary to belief, our students understand that nature isn’t efficient .. rather, it’s actually selective & very excessive .. it celebrates en masse & in abundance, nothing is wasted, instead it recycles it over & over again .. all this abundance forever goes back into itself creating more soil, new life & fresh nutrients for future generations with self sustaining resources.***
What permaculture designers are asking however is this .. “if we could use nature as a model, what creations would nature want to see us do .. what if, we celebrated the abundance of human creativity & the imagination .. what if, we celebrated abundance of the natural world instead of bemoaning it’s limits .. what if, we transformed our very concepts of design .. ” .. & with all its millions of yrs worth of R&D, & perhaps there are some serious messages here.***
As Einstein pointed out .. “the significant problems we face today .. cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at, when we created them” .. & if this is the case, our first question should be .. “what is the right thing to do”.. not “am I doing the wrong things right” .. that’s a managers job .. the correct question is .. “am I doing the right thing”.. that’s a chief executives job .. & so perhaps we need a new design, a design based on that new understanding .. & personally I have no doubt @ all that the 21st century will come to be known as the century of design.***
As it stands, .. deep divisions exist over how best to tackle the global problems of climate change, global warming, future energy demands, pollution & waste disposal, health care & aid, failing education systems, poverty, skill shortages & a shortfall of trained workers & educated individuals to name a few.***
My research into all these areas has taken me on a journey of biblical proportions to finally understand the character requirements, motivations, directions & commitment of the best forward thinking minds within the leading business, education & community circles, our policy makers, movers & shakers that we have in Australia & indeed the world .. & finally, this is what they come up with .. they identified innovation as the single most key priority to success & prosperity for Australia’s future.***
Just last month .. the same people were asked to investigate, implement & draw-upon identifying the importance & a national strategy .. this brain wave initiated & officially opened a brand new, multi million dollar task-force operation facility up in QLD to try to get the ball rolling .. they invited, paid & attracted the most expensive, highly regarded, innovative & forward thinking professionals as to outline & produce a blueprint to forward & present to govt, for smarter ways of doing things .. I shudder to think what they will come out with ? .. another inquiry, that’s my guess !!
Furthermore .. Our govt. has willingly agreed to ongoing & continued support by contributing millions of dollars towards similar, incentive projects, schemes & programs recommend by this think tank, to again explore innovation, significant ideas & reform packages, by barking the same messages to maintain our catch phrase of “essential & competitive edge & worlds best practice” within our lucky country .. with respect, I think what their trying to say is, we need a more simplified, moveable, integrated & transparent system than the one we regrettably have .. which is stubbornly strangled by endless, bureaucratic red tape .. in all of this did any of the critical, crucial & demanding questions mentioned earlier get addressed ? .. NO .. not one.***
If this wasn’t so serious it would be laughable .. but it just goes to show you, that common sense is rarer than you think .. “but, while the camel groans, the caravan moves on” .. & Australia winds aimlessly into the future .. but now, it’s time to admit the truth, & it’s clear, we have to lead these morons by the hand & express with dignity, that we were doing is very wrong .. & that extreme policy change is absolutely necessary & not just paid constant lip service across the board, as currently is the case.***
These think tanks also identified .. the immense benefits of building multiple crossover platforms between training institutions, schools, workplaces & govt. depts, while encouraging increasing involvement of community groups as another key to success .. because this will undoubtabally provide ongoing positive outcomes at all regional, local and individual levels.***
But unfortunately while bungling bureaucratic advisory committees still prattle on about how these inflexible rigid systems seek to assist a more flexible approach endless amounts of tax payers money is wasted with more reviews & reports confirming this very fact. Australia can ill afford to be complacent on this issue or foolhardy with its management .. because catastrophic consequences await, & many lives are at risk, if we do not act now.***
One good set of examples are the floods in Mumbai, Bangladesh, Romania, Switzerland, Germany, Europe, Britain, Venezuela, greater South America & Australia .. most recent is the drastic annihilation of Sumatra, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand & New Orleans .. other major concerns are the melting Arctic & sub continents of Siberia, Greenland, Alaska & Antarctica .. Portugal, Spain & the Middle East are on fire & are sadly testament to poor management practices, is mostly preventable & it all comes down to poor initial design.***
Our attitudes toward business & industry are paramount & needs a serious shake-up & has to be turned into a powerful magnet for talent & education, not a brain drain as is the case .. frustrated forward thinking business leaders & industry employers are seriously questioning our current training & teaching methods .. all they want is access to a pool of relevant, skilled, trained & qualified workers through refined training programs right now .. also identified is that to preclude education, exasperates poverty [I not even going to mention Africa, South America or Eastern Europe here].***
To put that in perspective however, figures released in the USA this month state that for the 4th year in a row, baseline poverty has risen to over 30 million which equates to 12.7% of the population .. current health care, welfare & super annuation systems are in serious decline & crisis, does this sound familiar ? .. other figures released are even more devastating .. they estimate up to $50 trillion in losses in global agriculture, fisheries & forestry .. a further 40% increase in job losses & unemployment rates, who’s going to pay for that ? .. farmers, land & home owners bankrupt while a staggering 60% of current fertile & useable land could be rendered useless by the end of 2015 .. national
imports, exports & trade will be adversely affected & disrupted, sparking market panic & national debt will continue spiralling out of control.***
In short, I expect our systems to be totally overwhelmed, then blow, but the real spectre will be the increasing & even more intense natural disasters, storms & extreme weather events which we are witnessing worldwide .. insurance companies could drive all the govts. into insolvency .. by 2020.***
I bet there are some wide eyes & dropped jaws in Canberra when legislators & their staff are briefed on this budgetary dilemma .. but they just don’t really understand the magnitude of the problem @ hand .. it’s that simple .. so all of us better have some carrots & chickens or backyard food production growing by then .. or it’s kupootski for you .. but don’t just take my word for it, you do the research, join the dots & come to your own conclusion .. & after everything I’ve outlined here today, it’s not all doom & gloom, not just yet.***
So, what I’d like to do now .. is propose my design for Australia’s first Natural University & Training School [N.U.T.S.] .. to be our conduit & vehicle by which teaching Permaculture & associated knowledge’s through multiple streams of Sustainable Environment & Energy Design Systems [SEEDS] .. this school will represent primarily the interests of public education & environmental agendas .. permaculture could co-ordinate a strategic partnership between many schools, colleges, universities & industry to facilitate training programs aimed @ all students, of all ages & become a broad base for complex community environmental & energy problems .. because, by bringing people & projects together, the value of integration is not only that all relevant factors and links are properly considered, integration also leads to greater efficiency ..
permacultures’ unique operations & management systems will make an important contribution to this innovation agenda alongside community business partnerships & other players in the innovation system.***
Imagine if you will .. this innovative permaculture training school .. no matter where .. no matter what size .. but it will be built with total self sufficiency in mind & scale .. it’s sustainable & responsible construction could be used to promote renewable & healthy building materials .. it could highlight tireless energy & power production with the establishment of many effortless wind & solar power generation systems on site .. more importantly, it would showcase the worlds best practice in regard to real-life examples every where you look .. that people can touch, view, interact with & learn about .. an expo if you like .. permanently on display .. this school would capture the hearts & souls of everybody that visits or works it .. & of course, this space could be visually stunning, exploring just what can be done with courage & commitment as this centre aims to do .. describing how we done it, what materials we used & why!
What we could expect to deliver in this project is a design that is both healthy & innovative .. all of our workers will work in natural daylight, with 100% fresh air delivered to their breathing zone under their own control .. we’ll do this with normal budgets, creating in the process Australia’s most energy efficient building.***
It won’t be hard to do .. in fact quite the opposite, the buildings that exist today are one’s that are dark .. have flouresent lights .. are poorly spaced & offer a minimum of fresh air .. but @ Peak, we’ll use less energy & we’ll produce a life support system for people who work .. instead of a work support system for people that don’t have a life .. it will reduce & recycle grey water .. be powered by the earth .. heated by the sun & we’ll be developing & promoting projects that can go back to the earth, into cycles of recycling for ever .. in short, it will produce more energy than it will need to operate .. like a tree.***
It will be a museum .. a museum that explores the natural world & people who are influenced by it, & have influences on it. That one day we will allow our children’s .. children’s .. children’s .. children to celebrate life & liberty in the pursuit of happiness .. & free from any remote tyranny that might be us, & bad design.***
But it’s bigger than that .. @ the schools’ core could be a Visitor Centre, administration & accommodation facility, initiating a similar Y.H.A. implemented framework for travellers, by offering vocational educational training [VET] and/or studies either on a part-time, seasonal or permanent basis, living on site, in cute but very sturdy, Practical Organic Dwelling Systems [P.O.D.S] .. emphasis could be with visitors & the general public, industry, schools, business leaders or tourists to engage in the procedures & operations within .. we will communicate an effective message to the people of Australia & public authorities by promoting community awareness & provide information &
educational packages & material .. to assist & to provide an ecologically sustainable permaculture model to be envied.***
We could communicate an effective message to the Australian people & politicians .. in all our activities we would express a view based on a critical analysis of available research & would provide solutions globally to the energy, life sciences, agriculture, environment, forestry and manufacturing sectors .. thus promoting a world-class education and skills development system .. that way opportunities exist for us to provide our business leaders, researchers & scientists with access to the best students, ideas & technology in Australia, solely for the interests of NRM strategy, policies & development .. furthermore .. the interest shown so-far, and the quality of the responses received, give confidence that this framework will generate the participation and ownership it needs.***
So that’s it, in a nutshell !!
What we’ve got to make sure of is that we have enough examples in place & on the ground [which we have, thanks to the immense work of Bill Mollison & Geoff Lawton & all their students] for people to understand that you CAN do ecological intelligent things well, while being very cost effective .. what we’re trying to do is to show proactively that these examples exist & that way .. it doesn’t appear as pie in the sky .. or something that’s simply not possible .. how sophisticated are we anyway ?.***
I mean how many humans can go into a paddock & with their left hand scrape away a little dirt & with their right hand put something in the ground that makes oxygen .. sequesters carbon .. fixes nitrogen .. distils water .. provides habitat for hundreds of species .. builds soil .. changes colour with the seasons .. uses solar energy .. creates fuel .. complex sugars & food .. creates micro climates and self replicates .. now thats the assignment of the museum we want to promote .. we want to encourage this & other countries to build these frameworks, structures & communities .. & as we look @ the developing world, we realise this unique opportunity for quick & intelligent leap frogging
technologies are now possible .. so the idea that the guardian [us] becomes the bench marker in finding the best practices around the world to help teach & educate all mankind.***
Let me just define what I stand for .. from a social perspective, I think it’s reasonable to say, that we should eliminate racism & sexism & other forms of inequality .. & I think that’s a fundamental need for our human culture, especially right now, in this current climate .. & we must love all of the children .. of all the species .. for all time .. not just our children .. not just our species .. & not just now .. so I think it’s kind of exciting to see, that the world is slowly embracing a strategy of change, something that I see not just as inevitable .. but a delightful prospect where Permaculture Design is burgeoning daily.***
William McDonough whom I have the utmost respect for since discovering his work & who is also a designer, architect & environmental visionary from the USA .. & who’s work I admire & have sourced within this mission statement [document] .. quotes.. “sometimes, when looking to the future we’re better off taking a look at the past” .. @ a press conference he was asked .. “what was the thing that saddens him the most” .. he replied .. “That would have to be either an environmentalist or business person typically looking at a child being born in say, Africa .. & points their finger at that child & says we have a population problem .. because the minute we don’t love every single child born .. human rights don’t seem to exist .. and so we forgo this fundamental deep connection to our own species .. I think once we come to grips with that idea, .. that loving our children, he says .. is actually the opposite to war” .. another time .. while William McDonough was on a invitational trip through Jordan & walking with a sheikh through a town that had been flattened by tanks .. he spotted part of a childs skeleton &
started to cry, at which point the sheikh looked over at him & said .. “I see .. you don’t know what war is do you” .. “I guess not”.. said McDonough .. the sheikh replied .. “War is when we kill the children”.***
This is not a dress rehersal. This project is not wishful thinking. We will be going full steam ahead shortly as described .. within a short period of time. So please, do not hesitate to contact me regarding any interest, questions or upcomming opportunities, involvement & participation.
Yours Sincerely,
Thomas Bell
12a Pillinger Street.
Dynnyrne.
Tasmania. 7005.
tomintaz@hotmail.com
Ph: (03) 6224 7527
MUST SEE WEB LINKS: enjoy.
http://www.mcdonough.com/
http://www.netcastdaily.com/broadcast/fsn2005-0806-2.mp3
[50 min interview with Mathew Simmons - the most respected person on the planet regarding & Global Oil Depletion & the comming crisis know as Peak Oil, this link needs mp3 software on your computer to listen to].
http://earthsociety.org/index.php?pgxfer=216
[ This is the actual Pentagon’s Report: by the orders of Andrew Marshall, one of the U.S. government’s most influential defence advisers (he was the man responsible for a sweeping strategic review of the military under top hawk Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld), two respected senior consultants prepared a study of the threat to national security posed by climate change.
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/031005_globalcorp.shtml
A green approach
General — by Murray Gray March 16, 2006
G’Day to All….
Firstly & Foremost…. This CONCEPT, I’m going to attempt to explain, is “without doubt” one of Australia’s most important: Having vast “IMPLICATIONS” components & dynamics, requiring effort (s) not seen on this scale before. …with the premise of generating involvement within the local community that attracts support for such an endeavor.
Secondly… to inspire, any Australian, who remotely understands the importance of innovation strategy & commitment to Natural Resource Management, just to see how “IMPORTANT” this deliberate message is.
Sadly…. the Government, on the other hand should revise it’s plans with respect to the role of the corporate sector, given the persistent bad image that it now suffers in the eyes of society.
In wisdom & hindsight…. I expect this letter will prove to be a catalyst in providing everyone hope, vision & direction, that as Australian’s, we so desperately need, especially.. since we “ALL” understand about the alienation & frustration, alongside constant inaction between our so called leaders, on important decision making process’s & protocol.
_______BUT THAT’S ALL ABOUT TO CHANGE… AND THIS IS HOW & WHY !________
Because I’m going to build Australia’s’ leading Contract Plantation Seedling Supplier / Distributor / Nursery & Forest Training / Research & Visitor centre.
My “MAIN” strategy objective is to supply the many millions of tree seedlings Australia- wide for Natural Resource Management projects….. undertaken by “ANY” Govt. institution, timber or mining company, both private & business investors, farmers & community group (s) bushfire destruction & reforestation programs, Desalination offset projects like the Murray River & any worthwhile venture(s) for Australia now and in the future, by the way, are forecast… “BUT NOT” planned. …..!
PEAK REFORESTATION as I’ve called it will capture the hearts & soul of everybody that visits / works IT!….. Imagine if you will a “Forestry mini-Disneyland”.. but on a small, sustainable scale… with everything “Eco”… everything!………. an expo if you will permanently on display. Showcasing Energy Efficiency & Environmental sustainability & responsibility with “REAL EXAMPLES” every where you look! That people can touch, view, interact with and Learn!
It’s purpose is to be a professional business institute (school) that trains & educates it’s students in “exactly”.. what Natural Resource Management actually “IS”..as to create, a strategic partnership between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the plantation timber growing and processing industry; to provide an ecologically sustainable permaculture model.
However……I’m not going into this thing blind, far from it….I’ve probed into every nook & cranny, over the past 7 yrs., and not left a single stone unturned, in my relentless pursuit of the “facts” surrounding Forestry and “all” associated faculties.
With that in mind…… Our success relies in being Bigger & Better than anyone before … Simply because, we can’t afford to “ f*ck it up” by overseeing the basics like ”SIZE” which will prove to be our absolute strength, while promoting a world-class education and skills development system, to provide our leaders / trainers & researchers / scientists with access to the best ideas and technology in Australia, solely for the interests of Australia’s Natural Resource Strategy / Policies & Development.
Already we have a QLD business involved, waiting approval (specifically for this project) of individual seedling wallets to hang supported & held in new-unique trays, transported around on ergonomic, bamboo culm rollers, throughout the whole 25 acre, nursery!
These wallets made from Bio-degradable, water resistant 100% BANANA PAPER, which is a totally organic, revolutionary new Australian product, that just may replace those silly ancient black plastic types, banished the back-shelf “Forever”… These wallets will be planted with the seedling, in the field.
Furthermore….. Because, people everywhere…… I mean “everywhere”….are realizing what backpackers & greens have know 4 years….
*** REDUCE HUMANITIES IMPACT & REPLENISH THE RESOURCES ***
Now.. Everybody want’s to dig in & become involved. Which is fantastic & about time..!
There is general agreement that effective co-ordination and administrative efficiency require some level of organisation below that of the State, but larger than existing institutions such as local community projects such as Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare & any type of Environmental Activity.
@ the core will be the Visitor Centre & Y.H.A. style Administration & Accommodation. This space will be visually stunning, exploring just what can be done with courage & commitment as this centre aims to do, describing how we done it, what materials we used & why!
It will support impressive computer services with internet access / communication and information sharing between all involved for Project purposes or just for casual chill-out /mingling …. you know, with ( map room, massive country kitchen facilities, message boards, educational talks,videos, movies etc).
“ I must point out here.. that this centre will be the “ Forestry Network Capital of Australia” ..for linking people with projects such as this THIS, bringing people & projects together because the value of integration is not only that all relevant factors and links are properly considered, integration also leads to greater efficiency”.
With this much intensity, respect within the industry will be imminent, that much I do know! But it’s bigger than that…..
The emphasis will be Enviro-Eco-Tourism inviting tourists / schools & business to observe the procedures and operations within and shall serve as a real ethical Forestry Business Model.
Acting as “The Base” for conducting public tours that soon will be available, enough for about 40 guests..or so.
Trained, qualified staff in key areas, expanding on any current or future “requested” projects will demonstrate correct work techniques in the field and at “HQ”… offering any number of available courses e.g: Land survey & management, map drawing, seed & data collection, storage, genetics, soil biology, disease prevention, greenhouse operations & procedures, propagation, tree planting, transplanting techniques plant identification, I’m sure you get the picture, all fully certified, with a credited licence, upon completion.
Extraordinary savings credited by minimal overheads, reflecting sound business philosophies attracting local – international support. By establishing, groundbreaking, Y.H.A. class accommodation for travellers, offering P/T, seasonal and permanent work.
Only when you consider that, inconjunction with Tourism Tasmania on board, and suddenly there seems no lack of potential, which is another direction all together, needless to say……………….
*** PEAKS ULTIMATE GOAL ***
So that’s it, in a nutshell..!!
I think “we” can do it.. purely because every Tasmanian we know wants a permanent solution like this to happen….! plus, would want the opportunity to contribute to such ethical project as “BIG” as this..
Tasmania’s future strength within Forestry, will rely on Industry development & overall integrity. This knowledge must embrace a willingness to welcome “realistic” timely advice together with experience & leadership regarding serious proposals to encourage progress. “Forestry in Tasmania” can ill afford to be complacent on this issue or foolhardy, with what it manages, in effect what currently is Australia’s Public Garden. What is needed is “complete” transparency & truth across the board in co-ordinating such efforts & operations, because it’s the ONLY way it will work…!
On a final note…… Forestry & indeed “Peak Reforestation’s” imminent success is based on the notion of active community, industry and government participation, and on a shared ownership of natural resource management issues and outcomes at “ALL” regional, local and individual levels.
I think “we” all understand how important a role we can play in the development & rebuilding of communities both here in Australia & abroad, because……..
** It’s about supporting these endeavours and achieving real results with real jobs **
AUSTRALIA SEEKS THEREFORE TO ESTABLISH MECHANISMS THAT WILL BE RELEVANT FOR THE NEXT TEN DECADES…. NOT JUST, THE NEXT FEW YEARS”
Remember….. “knowledge is power”… so do yourselves a favour & visit
tomintaz@hotmail.com Ph: 03 622 501 59
Comments (0)Northeast Permaculture and Beyond: An Organizational Vision
General — by Murray Gray February 26, 2006
How can we organize global Permaculture efforts and still be effective in our local communities?
How can we build groups that sustain themselves after the Design Course is over? How can we create BioRegional and Regional networks to share information and resources?
We envision growing Permaculture from a strong base of integrated local community groups. Recent developments in the Northeastern United States act as a concrete example. (518) 610-1375
Download the document here: pc_organization_vision.pdf
Comments (0)Sustainability: Benefits of the Soil Foodweb™
General — by Murray Gray January 1, 2006
Paul Taylor asked us to post this document “Sustainability. Benefits of the Soil Foodweb™ – Soil Microbiology explained (2005)” for comment:� http://www.permaculture.org.au/files/CompostTeaSpraysBenefitsLivingProof.pdf (right click, choose Save As, or Save Target As, or Save Link As)Please leave any thoughts, replies and comments inside this topic. Thanks!
Comments (0)Alley cropping in the tropics
General — by Murray Gray August 16, 2005
The problem of compaction within annual crop systems is a very difficult one in the tropics especially. The tropics make it difficult because they naturally lend themselves to diverse productive tree systems and often people have followed the annual cropping systems of European style of cultivation.
Ok so incorporating trees in the systems will help and mulching definitely will help and limiting the amount of walking on the fields will help. What I have found is because most of these people are used to burning mulch they cut at the end of the wet when it is still green and easy to cut and burn the same mulch in the dry season after it is dried right out and so easy to burn.
Then when you ask them to try using mulch they feel a bit weird and don’t want to be laughed at by other farmers who usually think the mulch looks untidy when their fields are all clean bare soil (a power trip over nature, control issue, and they also have the old idea backing them up “cleanliness is next to Godliness”). So when you eventually persuade them to try mulching a few problems usually arise unless you follow it right through with, and believe me these have been very hard and at times very disappointing mistakes to make.
Number one: local people usually do not want to look anymore different and get laughed at more so they cut their mulch at the same time of year as everyone else, this is a MAJOR mistake as the mulch lies in the full dry season sun with most of the moisture evaporating and with very limited soil life activity in the dry hot conditions and by the time the wet season starts again most of the benefit of the mulch is gone. You need to cut the mulch at the end of the dry at the beginning of the wet when the cloud cover increases and the evaporation effects go down.
This means that the shade from the trees is opened up to grow the crops and the ground is protected from the heavy rain reducing erosion and leaching effects of soil nutrients and the valuable manure fertilizer additions. The mulch also starts to break down quicker as the soil life activity is considerably higher in the rainy season with the extra soil moisture and lower soil temperatures, which means it becomes soil food, humus and potential plant food much faster also increasing the soils organic matter content and soil water holding capacity.
This means we can select legume trees which can be pollard cut every year, planted on contour in rows within the crop fields spaced so that all the mulch cut from the trees mulches the crop rows on contour (often only a double reach row in width so the crop can be attended to from either side of the row without walking on the soil between the crop plants) between the tree rows, Gliracidia and Leaucaena are 2 very typical trees used for this purpose.
They will also have the beneficial effect of structuring the soil and fixing large amounts of nitrogen in the root zone and because they are pollard cut at the start of the rains to a tall stump (say 1.8m) they create very little shade during the main growing season. By the time the rainy season finishes they will have re-sprouted multiple long thin branches that will quickly leaf up and shade the ground during the dry season, this shading effect is more beneficial in the dry than mulch and as the trees have deeper roots than the annual crops the continue to grow on the deeper residual ground water well after the rainy season has finished. With the ground well shaded and the mulch from the pre-rainy season mulch cut well rotted into soil humus it is often possible to sow a dry season cover crop in the field as and extra soil conditioner, mulch harvest for the start of the next rainy season. After a few years of establishment of this system and the inevitable improvement of soil structure, organic matter and water holding capacity, it with be possible to take off some surplus legume tree pruning leaf material to feed animals and returning the animals manure to the field as fertilizer and take off surplus legume tree pruning branch wood material to use as cooking fuel, breaking the dangerous soil nutrient depleting cycle often practiced of burning animal manure for cooking fuel.
Number two, when mulch is cut to burn it is cut in the form of large pruning material and left propped up to quickly air dry so it will burn easily, once this much material has dried in long lengths it is very hard and brittle making it a great deal harder to chop up. But this is what is often done because local people don’t want to look TOO different in case it does not work. To get the most benefit from the mulch we need to chop it up and greatly increase its surface area and its capability to lie in contact with the ground so that beneficial soil fungi and bacteria can begin to work on it as quickly as possible. To get the most benefit from our effort we should cut the pruned mulch material up as small as practically possible (often a minimum of 150mm lengths using hand tools) while it is still green and containing its natural plant moisture to help increase the speed of its decomposition rate.
Number three, not enough mulch is added usually because local people are caution about doing something so different again. The mulch needs to be thick at least 100 to 150mm so that it has an intrinsic ability of holding moisture and also insulating the soil, which will require one tenth the amount of water once the thick mulch is initially soaked than bare soil. The subtle but precise placement of the mulch is often not taken seriously enough either. Initially the majority of the pruned mulch material should be piled in long rows close to the legume tree trunks, this will help relieve the stress on these useful functional elements of the system and help them recover. Between the pruned trees where the crop is seeded only a very thin mulch is required on top of the organic fertilizer that is being used (usually manure or ideally compost), a “germination mulch” just enough to completely cover the ground and germinate the crop seed but not TOO much to inhibit the crop seed from germinating, with a little bit of trial and error this measure of mulch is easily gauged.
Once the crop has germinated and has started to grow and as it is attended to the farmer can walk along next to the pruned legume trees on top of the long mulch pile greatly reducing the effort of compaction. As the crop begins to increase in size more and more mulch can be moved across from the tree lines to the soil surface around the base of the crop plants until at the end of the growing season the mulch situation will have completely reversed and the majority of the mulch will be around the crop plants and only a small amount on the tree lines. At the end of the cropping season the crop plants themselves can be cut and all unusable parts returned as mulch leaving their roots in position to root in position to decompose forming compost corridors in the soil enhancing soil structure further. At this stage chickens can be ranged through the field to evenly spread and further shred the mulch, eat weed seeds and insect pests and their larvae which are often dormant in the top soil at the end of the cropping season, this helps break the weed and pest cycles.
Increasing the speed of mulch decomposition because of the shredding and manure drop in turn increasing the fertility of the field and gives the chickens a good nutritious feed. When the chickens have turned over most of the mulch they should be removed and a dry season cover crop seeded for cutting as mulch at the beginning of the next wet season. At this stage chickens can be ranged through the field again to spread the mulch eat weed seeds, insects and deposit manure for a short period just prior to seeding the main crop and cutting the main legume tree mulch.
Comments (0)The Dead Sea Valley Permaculture project
General — by Murray Gray December 16, 2004
Geoff Lawton is an internationally renowned Permaculture teacher and design consultant. His story in the Middle East is a success story, rare in the politically tumultuous climate which rules the lives of many in this part of the globe. He has solved and offered positive solutions to many of the environmental problems typical to the Middle east; water shortage, highly salted land, agricultural production, and unsustainable housing.
Exporting this system to over 17 different countries around the world he is part of a growing global movement which uses permaculture techniques to provide human needs in an environmentally responsible way. His work has led him all around the world and has focused on relieving drastic environmental problems in many places of great need and often conflict.
Commissioned in August 2000 by a Japanese aid organization to work in association with a Jordanian aid organization Geoff’s first visit involved the design of a flat 10 acre, highly salted, very alkaline, piece of land in the Dead Sea Valley, 400m below sea level and just a few kilometers from the Palestinian border. The aim was to demonstrate sustainable farming practices. A plan was drawn up and accepted and arrangements were made for them to return in December during the cooler time of the year.
During the December visit they each taught the 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate course. Also on this trip they directed the installation of permaculture earthworks, which included the construction of one and a half kilometers of water harvesting swales, (contour ditches, with an un-compacted earth mound on the lower side which is typically used as a tree growing system). As well, a small in surface area, but deep dam was also installed as part of the design. This method of dam construction is essential in an area where evaporation is extreme. Click for more…
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