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January 2025 Permaculture Newsletter

First off, Happy New Year 🎉 Welcome to 2025—the “Year of Permaculture,” as we’re proudly calling it here at PINA!

As we embark on this exciting year, we want to ensure you have the tools and resources to take your permaculture journey beyond the PDC experience. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “What’s next?”, we’ve got you covered.

Download the Post-PDC Guidebook, it’s designed to help you build on the inspiration you gained during your PDC and turn your vision into action.

Let’s make 2025 the year you take permaculture to the next level!

Calling All PDC Teachers: Join the First-Ever Permaculture Teacher Mastermind!

Mark your calendars for January 29th as PINA proudly hosts its inaugural Permaculture Teacher Mastermind, an event designed exclusively for PDC educators like you.

This groundbreaking gathering is a chance to elevate our collective work, collaborate on best practices, and shape the direction of permaculture teaching. Together, we’ll explore what’s working, address challenges, and strategize how to take the PDC to new heights

Using an Open Space format, the agenda will be set by attendees—ensuring the discussions are focused on what truly matters to permaculture teachers. It’s a unique opportunity to connect, share insights, and inspire one another to amplify the impact of our work.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative conversation as we aim to uplift our profession and strengthen the permaculture movement. Join us January 29th, and help shape the future!

Save Your Place

Port-au-Prince – A new public food garden will soon take root in Haiti, bringing hope and nourishment to communities facing hunger. This transformative project is being led by Felicita Thomas, the winner of PINA’s 2024 Permaculture Design Contest.

An eco-educator and permaculture designer, Thomas impressed fellow PINA members in this juried competition with her innovative plan to create a thriving, self-sustaining garden that combines permaculture principles with local agricultural traditions. Her design prioritizes accessibility, soil regeneration, and cultivating nutrient-dense crops tailored to Haiti’s climate and cultural preferences.

“Haiti faces immense challenges with food access, but we believe that empowering communities with permaculture knowledge can be a game-changer,” said Thomas. “This garden is more than a food source—it’s a model for resilience and a beacon of hope.”

The garden will provide fresh produce to those without access to healthy food while serving as an educational hub. Workshops on regenerative farming, composting, and water management will help local residents build their own sustainable food systems.

PINA’s sponsorship underscores its commitment to fostering local food sovereignty through permaculture. “This project exemplifies the power of community-driven solutions,” said Peter Bane, PINAʻs Executive Director. “We’re honored to support Felicita in bringing her vision to life.”

Construction is set to begin this spring, with the garden poised to become a symbol of renewal and sustainability for Haiti.

BE FEATURED IN THE NEWSLETTER

Members, we want to highlight your work in our newsletter. Please email a project you’re proud of to communications@pina.in.

PINA invites you to share content for a future edition of our newsletter!

See an article or news item you think we should feature? Contact us to let us know

Zoos Harvesting Rainwater Take Eco-Leadership

In a trend that reveals forward thinking, zoos in the US and UK are harvesting rainwater for on-site use. This embodies principles of conservation, sustainability, and education, aligning perfectly with permaculture ethics. Capturing and reusing rainwater for essential needs such as irrigation, animal care, and cleaning, allows zoos to reduce consumption of expensive treated water, minimize stormwater runoff, and lower operational costs, helping them redirect valuable resources toward critical conservation initiatives.

Innovative examples include the Cincinnati Zoo, which has saved over 1 billion gallons of water, and the Indianapolis Zoo, where rainwater systems double as powerful educational tools. Blackpool Zoo and Henry Doorly Zoo in the UK have seamlessly integrated rainwater systems into their daily operations and exhibits, demonstrating environmental stewardship.

By adopting rainwater harvesting, zoos not only contribute to a more sustainable future for wildlife and communities but also inspire millions of visitors to take action in their own lives. These systems show how we can design regenerative systems that honor the planet while supporting the creatures who call it home.