permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <london@calypso-2.oit.unc.edu>]

A Definition of Permaculture
----------------------------

>From: 

Dr. Lee Barnes
Editor of:
"The Permaculture Connections: Southeastern Permaculture Network News"    
P.O. Box 1303
Waynesville, N.C., 28786
Telephone: 1-704-452-5716
$10.00/year, 8 page Quarterly

Permaculture ("Perm"anent "agri"culture and "Perma"nent "culture") 
is a sustainable design system stressing the harmonious interrelationship
of humans, plants, animals and the Earth. To paraphrase the founder of
Permaculture, designer Bill Mollison:

"Permaculture principles focus on thoughtful designs for small-scale
intensive systems which are labor efficient and which use biological 
resources instead of fossil fuels. Designs stress ecological connections 
and closed energy and material loops. The core of permaculture is design 
and the working relationships and connections between all things. Each 
component in a system performs multiple functions, and each function is 
supported by many elements. Key to efficient design is observation and 
replication of natural ecosystems, where designers maximize diversity 
with polycultures, stress efficient energy planning for houses and 
settlement, using and accelerating natural plant succession, and 
increasing the highly productive "edge-zones" within the system."
   
Permaculture designs have been successfully and widely implemented in 
third-world countries, but there is current need to expand these 
principles in temperate climates, and especially urban areas to create 
more enjoyable and sustainable human habitats.