Regional Events

What is a Permaculture Design Certificate Course? This course lets you develop a broad understanding of permaculture and design that uses whole systems thinking, which looks at how everything works together as a part of a larger whole. This can apply to the environment, our internal state of being and our organizations and social systems. In this PINA-recognized Permaculture Design Certificate course, participants learn a standard 72-hour permaculture curriculum toward certification that is recognized around the world. Participants will also gain hands-on experience in designing and transforming a local landscape using design principles and incorporating the use of captured rainwater and greywater systems. Sustainable Solano PDC 2025 with Lydia Neilsen and Anne Freiwald Registration now open! Click here to register Registration deadline is Aug. 8 The 2025 PDC program (August 2025-December 2025) combines online Zoom classes with five hands-on, two-day weekends and a final presentation. Participants will work in small groups. This is a great way to build permaculture knowledge for a variety of interests and fields of experience. Past PDC participants included landscaping professionals, educators, sustainability program managers, and community members wanting to bring permaculture practices to their property and permaculture principles to their communities. Registration and Tuition Tuition will be offered on a sliding scale of $1,000-$1,200 Registration deadline is Aug. 8 Limited scholarships available based on enrollment. To learn more, contact Nicole Newell at nicole@sustainablesolano.org Learn more about the basics of permaculture, the interconnection of soil, water, plants and climate, and what you’ll explore in this year’s PDC in the video below. Watch these introductory permaculture talks with instructors Lydia Neilsen and Anne Freiwald: PDC Schedule August 2025-December 2025 Aug. 23-24: On-site weekend: Introduction to Permaculture, Design & Global Context of Permaculture Sept. 12: Friday Focus: Bring Your Soil to Life! (online) Sept. 13-14: On-site weekend: Design and Soil Oct. 3: Friday Focus: DIY Water Harvesting (online) Oct. 4-5: On-site weekend: Water Oct. 17: Friday Focus: Plant it and They will Hum (online) Oct. 18-19: On-site weekend: Plants and Agroforestry Nov. 7: Friday Focus: Finding the Heart in Your Community (online) Nov. 8-9: On-site weekend: Invisible Structures Dec. 6: On-site Design Presentations and Graduation Online classes will be over Zoom from 5:30-7:30 pm. Weekend classes will be from 9 am-6 pm Saturdays and 9 am-5 pm Sundays. *Participants should expect to spend a significant amount of time out of class hours researching, studying and preparing the final project with their teams. Register Here! Learn more about the 2021 PDC class here, and check out the slideshow below!  Meet the Instructors About Lydia Neilsen PINA certified permaculture educator, landscape and habitat designer, specializing in water cycle restoration and passionate polyculture. About Anne Freiwald, MPH Community health and earth activist, permaculture educator and regenerative life and landscape designer, with 29+ years specializing in human ecology & community resilience.

Welcome all new and returning students to our donation based Permaculture Design Course! Donate what you can or contact Susan for a scholarship. We look forward to seeing you on October 11th 

Weekly Permaculture Workshops and Work Parties with Traditional Ecological Knowledge Keeper, Audrey Logan. As winter approaches, the focus will be on harvesting and preparing the garden for colder temperatures. Free and everyone is welcome!

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

January 5 - 17, 2026 Live, Learn, and Grow in Paradise – 2-Week Permaculture Design Certification Course in Hawaii Join us for a hands-on PDC course with experienced teachers in the Edenic beauty of Hawai'i This course covers the approved curriculum and when students meet requirements they get certified as permaculture designers. Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is an intentional community on the Big Island, with cascading waterfalls, lush gardens, and a dedicated dream incubation temple. It has solar and hydroelectric systems, chickens, horses, cows, compost, food forests, nursery production, vegetable gardens, and a commercial lychee orchard. Dates: January 5 – 17, 2026 | Location: Ninole, Hawai’i Reach out to secure your spot What You Will Learn: Full immersion into our permaculture community allows embodied wisdom to flow freely and new possibilities to emerge through observations and interactions. The course will cover Permaculture principles and ethics, food forestry, soil building, composting, propagation, water systems, natural building, regenerative design, community dynamics, social permaculture, site planning, mapping, design problems, and much, much more. Why This Course is Unique Location Rainbow Bridge is a majestic and beautiful property at the foot of Mauna Kea, North of Hilo, Hawaii. The land carries strong energies of transformation and time as well as truly wild spaces where one can swim and connect to nature. Community Rainbow Bridge is a family like, energetic, and compassionate community growing since 2020. We are blessed to be on land that has been connected to and nurtured for 30 years and has many mature fruit trees. Experience Rainbow Bridge is at a sweet spot where there is massive abundance, and systems to observe; while also building out new infrastructure and sustainable systems. This course combines classroom theory with hands-on practice and daily rhythms that nourish the body and spirit. Rainbow Bridge Story Synchronicity and the Spirit of the Gift Zack Geist and his wife Madeleine rented a house from Grigor(pictured center) here in Hawaii to escape the air pollution of Salt Lake City. Only a few weeks after meeting Grigor and connecting to this beautiful land they were informed that Grigor was being forced to move off this land he had been farming for 25 years and the land would be sold. The three teamed up and the vision of Rainbow Bridge was born. Heavily inspired by his friend Charles Eisenstein, Zack funds the community of Rainbow Bridge in “the Spirit of the Gift”. After observing the extractive and often destructive ways that capital flows in society he is choosing a new way of being(and investing) with the community of Rainbow Bridge. The three are transforming the land and the land is transforming them. They work tirelessly to hold this beautiful container as it grows and matures. Read More Meet Your Instructors Bruce Horowitz Bruce is a certified permaculture and ecovillage design teacher and consultant. He has a masters degree from New College of California in the Culture, Ecology and Sustainable Community Program, and is a trainer at Regenerative Education Courses for Gaia Education. Bruce has worked all over the world, co-founded many cooperative endeavors, been a board member of several non-profits, and is also a trained herbalist, farmer, ecstatic dance DJ and contact improv devotee. Tracy Matfin Tracy is a co-founder and lead land steward of La’akea Permaculture Community on the Island of Hawaii. She is a Faculty member of Maharishi International University and has studied with permaculture pioneers, Penny Livigston, Doug Bullock & Jude Hobbs to name a few. Tracy lives and embodies the essence of permaculture and brings excitement and real life examples into her teaching. Mickey Kleinhenz Mickey is the Land Manager, Worktrade Director, Permaculture Designer, Arborist, Nurseryman, Machine Operator, Head Gardener, Food Forest Monkey Magician of Rainbow Bridge. He has an undergraduate degree in Horticulture and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University. He energetically holds the mission and vision of Rainbow Bridge along with the owners.  He loves collecting and learning new plants and painting on the canvas that is Rainbow Bridge. What's Included in the Course All Classes & Materials We have a dedicated classroom space and will provide pens and notebooks. Accommodations Tent camping is included, with access to hot showers and flushing toilets. There are other private or shared housing options available for additional cost upon inquiry Farm Fresh Meals All meals will be provided(vegetarian) with gluten free and vegan options. Please let us know in the application of any dietary restrictions. Field Trips We will visit a nearby permaculture site on the island each week Daily Waterfall Adventures Rainbow Bridge Hawaii is located along the Manoloa stream and is blessed with some beautiful waterfalls and swimming spots. packages Pricing & Options PDC with Tent Camping Total: $2,000 US What’s Included: Full 72-hour PDC course and course materials. Tent camping space with access to shared bathhouse with hot showers and communal areas. 3 farm-to-table meals per day Community events and optional activities (yoga, beach trips, etc.) *Inquire for tent rental options and volunteer opportunities for discounted tuition. Housing Upgrade Total: +$500 Private Housing with access to shared bathhouse and communal areas. Available Housing: Aircrete Dome Aircrete Eden Cob House Heptagon Tiny House Trailer *Limited spaces; reach out to us for availability. Additional Week Total: +$600 Stay after the PDC has ended to integrate and explore the Big island with Rainbow Bridge as your home base. What’s Included: Community dinners Access to communal kitchen and food staples Wednesday Garden Party Chances to deepen connection with other participants and community Leisure time for swimming in waterfalls and exploring the land Sign up Today Reach out to secure your spot! Fill out the form with your name, contact info, and let us know any questions or needs you may have, as well as whether you are interested in any add-ons. We will reach out shortly to coordinate payment and send final details. Thank you for your interest! Name Email Address Phone Number Message Add-Ons  I'm interested in the housing upgrade I'm interested in the additional week

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

Permaculture Design Course at Buena Fortuna Botanic Garden La Ribera, Baja Del Sur, Mexico February 16-28 th , 2026 Join us for a life-changing experience at Buena Fortuna, a lush 11- acre botanical sanctuary home to over 2500 varieties of edible, medicinal and useful plants from around the world. In this PINA certified Permaculture Design Course you will gain hands-on skills to design regenerative ecosystems and food forests in harmony with nature. Early bird fee $1750 US. After October $2100 US What you will learn:  Principles of Permaculture  Food Forests and Edible Landscapes  Soil Health and Composting  Water Harvesting and irrigation  Climate-Resilient  Seed Saving and Biodiversity  Social permaculture and Resilient Economies Hands-on experience and design practicum will empower your own food forest, transform landscapes and contribute to meaningful planetary health The course includes site tours, design practice, community meals, optional yoga and music evenings and more. Please inquire about lodging options. Location: Buena Fortuna Botanic Gardens is a lush 11-acre sanctuary located just minutes from the Sea of Cortez, in the coast town of La Ribera, Baja del Sur, Mexico. It enjoys a prime location: only 45 minutes from San Jose del Cabo International Airport and 30 minutes from the region’s natural hot springs and waterfalls. Co-founded by legendary botanist Gabriel Howearth and earth steward Kitzia Kokopelmana, Buena Fortuna is more than a garden- it is a living legacy of botanic preservation and ecological wisdom, with over 2,500 species of useful plants cultivated with care over the last 28 years. Instructors: Darrell Frey is a Permaculture Design Consultant and Teacher based in Western Pennsylvania. Darrell is among the first wave of permaculture practitioners, having begun studying permaculture in 1980. He is author of Bioshelter Market Garden-A Permaculture Farm, (which documents his 25 years of market gardening), and co- author of The Food Forest Handbook, both published by New Society Publishing. Kitzia Kokopelmana is an Earth Steward and edible landscape designer with over 3 decades of experience in organic farming, seed preservation, and ancestral permaculture. She has worked across Mexico, South America, and the US, guiding communities to create food forests, medicinal gardens and sacred spaces. She is also a poet, artist and teacher who weaves together ecological wisdom with spiritual connection, helping students cultivate not only sustainable gardens-but regenerative lives. Her passion is to plant seeds of consciousness and preserve the botanical treasures of our planet. Tuition investment: Standard Tuition: $2100 USD Reserve your spot with $600 deposit, balance due Jan 15, 2026 Early bird tuition $1,750 (save $350) Reserve with a deposit of $750, full payment due October 15, 2025 Extra days and day trips by request. Camping and eco-lodging options available.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE San Francisco Permaculture Monthly Gathering Our monthly meeting is an open gathering for everyone to connect around and learn more about Permaculture. While the weather is still good, we are meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the 18th & Rhode Island Garden.