permaculture

["Stephanie Yank" <permaforeststeph@gmail.com>]

Byron Bay, NSW – July 9, 2007. The Permaforest Trust, Centre for
Sustainability Education, announces it will be training Post Carbon
Professionals in its Accredited Permaculture Training (APT™) program in
Byron Bay, starting in March 2008.


Climate Change, Peak Oil and other limits to growth, such as declining
water availability, are raising awareness for the need to move beyond the
fossil fuel era. Australia and the world are now entering an era of post
carbon transition. According to founder and trustee Tim Winton, the
Permaforest Trust's 2008 Accredited Permaculture Training Certificate 4 and
Diploma courses have been specifically designed to create skilled leaders in
community based Post Carbon sustainability initiatives. The program offers a
comprehensive range of training in hands-on skills combined with cutting
edge theory for creating positive change.


Tim Winton, a sustainability educator for the past decade and regular
speaker on the topic of Post Carbon Transition, says:

"We are shifting our focus in the Byron Bay program so that students can
actually participate in preparing the Byron community for post carbon
transition. In their course work our students will be learning by engaging
in projects, such as community gardens, developing energy descent action
plans and community climate change initiatives, as resources for the
community. As far as we know a comprehensive course like this hasn't been
offered anywhere in the world. Jobs are now opening up in local councils and
government funded projects, allowing our students to undertake this work in
other communities. Facilitating positive change for Post Carbon transition
is a large part of our overall approach."


Byron Bay is renowned for its forward thinking environmental initiatives,
and Mayor Jan Barham welcomes the new program, stating:

" The Permaforest Trust's new Byron Bay based Accredited Permaculture
Training Program is a great opportunity for the community to learn about
adaptation to peak oil, climate change and other growth related issues. With
its focus on facilitating community post carbon transition the training
program can act as a real catalyst and it will help to continue Byron's
position as a national leader in positive alternatives for sustainable
living."


Permaculture is a linking discipline which incorporates effective design
strategies and an understanding of natural patterns and principles in order
to support the development of sustainable human habitats and
communities. Renowned
environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki has stated: "*What permaculturists are
doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet."
*


The Permaforest Trust specialises in sustainability education, networking
and the creation of open source resources for ecological, cultural and
personal transition to a lower carbon future. It offers Austudy approved
Certificate IV and Diploma in Accredited Permaculture Training, providing
skills and strategies for peak oil, climate change and other challenges
associated with limits to growth.

For additional information see www.permaforesttrust.org.au


--
Administrator
The Permaforest Trust
47 Hidden Valley Rd
Barkers Vale, NSW 2474 Australia
(02) 6689 7579
www.permaforesttrust.org.au
permaforeststeph@gmail.com