Project Participant Bios 
Chad Knepp is a researcher of sustainable technologies, performing his research with the application of a number of accumulated skills and a high level of creativity.  He seeks to create and present information regarding sustainable lifestyles that not only reflects a higher ecological value, but also embodies a higher quality of life.  He has additionally worked as a carpenter, cook, system administrator, and farmer.  He is the sole developer of Eden (http://galatea.org/eden/), an online and freely accessible sustainability sourcebook providing information about Permaculture, natural building, simplified lifestyles, alternative energy, sustainable agriculture, and more.  Chad will be a head programmer for this project.

Richard Morris is the webmaster for the Plants for a Future Foundation (http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/), a resource center for rare and unusual plants, based in the UK but offering comprehensive information about plants found worldwide.  PFAF’s Species Database, the largest online plant database, provides data for 7,380 plants, including extensive details regarding their edible, medicinal, and other uses, along with their cultivation and habitats.  This database will act as an invaluable resource for the proposed project.  Richard will be a head programmer for this project.

John Schinnerer specializes in whole systems design and technology services, offered through his Eco-Living practice (http://www.eco-living.net/).  He completed a Master's degree in Whole Systems Design from Antioch University, with a graduate project focus in what he called "cultural and ecological designing."  John will offer his Whole Systems Design expertise, along with being the primary user-tester and UI/design critic.

Stephanie Gerson is will be acting as the main contact for this project.  She graduated from Stanford University in the Science, Technology, and Society program, and has a Permaculture Certification from MAYA in San Francisco.  She has performed project management professionally, both for small and large enterprises, and has professional experience with both environmental and interactive education.  Stephanie will be responsible for Project Coordination/Administration, additionally offering knowledge and experience in Environmental Education, Interactive Educational Technologies, and HCI/UI Design. 

Lawrence London is the current moderator of the most widely used Permaculture listserv (http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture), and of the database-oriented listserv that the PIW team communicates with (http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/pcplantdb).  He is an advanced Permaculturist with expertise in programming and database maintenance and development.  He developed EcoLandTech (http://www.ibiblio.org/london/permaculture.html), an online repository of Permaculture-related resources and Market-Farming.com (http://market-farming.com), an online resource connecting sustainable agriculture initiatives with market opportunities.  Lawrence will act as a subject matter expert in Permaculture and guild design, provide guidance with backend and database development, contribute some financial support, and offer general assistance with the project.

Scott Pittman is well known as an expert Permaculturist and senior teacher in the field.  He has given numerous Permaculture design trainings in the United States and abroad, including Australia, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Bali, Thailand, Nepal, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador.  Scott currently lives, teaches, and consults in Northern New Mexico, where he co-founded and is the President of the Permaculture Institute, (http://www.ibiblio.org/spittman/), President of the Board of the Permaculture Credit Union, and owner of Environmental Design Concepts. His firm specializes in Permaculture design and construction projects ranging from backyard designs to thousand-acre farms.  The Permaculture Institute will provide the PIW project with fiscal sponsorship, and Scott, as its president, will offer general project oversight and subject matter expertise.