Permaculture Design
The Art and Science of Sustainable Living
Permaculture Design is both an art and a science, guiding us in creating sustainable, regenerative human settlements that work in harmony with nature.
We currently offer hands-on Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) training at the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District in Riverside, California, held on 2nd Saturdays from October through June.
This 72-hour certification course will help you deepen your practice, design for others, and give back by joining our teaching team. Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your skills, you can join at any time and begin your journey toward a more sustainable future.
Come learn, design, and grow with us!
Horticultural Classes
Plants: The Original and Ultimate Solar Panels
Plants are nature’s most efficient solar panels, transforming sunlight into the essential materials that sustain life. From the smallest seeds to towering trees, we depend on plants every day—for food, shelter, medicine, and countless other resources.
Join us to discover how you can partner with plants to cultivate a truly sustainable future. In collaboration with the UCCE Master Gardeners of Riverside County, we offer hands-on learning experiences every Friday morning from October through June at Prescott Preserve in Palm Springs, California.
Come grow with us and learn to harness the power of plants for a healthier planet and community!
Natural Building Classes
Create Beautiful, Sustainable Structures
Building with locally available materials—such as sand, clay, straw, water, and repurposed materials—offers an affordable, safe, and non-toxic alternative to conventional construction. Imagine creating a beautiful, durable home without the burden of a financially crippling mortgage, all while reducing your carbon footprint and working in harmony with nature.
We’re excited to launch a new series of hands-on Natural Building workshops at Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District (RCRCD), where you’ll learn practical techniques for constructing sustainable structures using natural and salvaged materials.
Join us and experience the art of building in a way that is cost-effective, rewarding, and environmentally responsible!
Small Animal Classes
Partnering with Animals: Working with Nature for a Thriving Landscape
Animals are more than just sources of food and services—they are essential partners in a regenerative landscape. Their natural behaviors help build soil, manage pests, fertilize crops, and restore balance to ecosystems. When we work with their instincts—through proper placement, timing, and care—they provide invaluable contributions, all while thriving in a healthy, supportive environment.
Join us to learn the art of animal integration in permaculture through tours and live demonstrations at Kathyland Permaculture Farm in Riverside, California. Our annual events showcase how to partner with animals in ways that benefit both the land and the creatures themselves—creating systems that are productive, ethical, and sustainable.
Discover how providing animals with the right habitat and care allows them to do what they do best—naturally and freely—while giving back more than we could ever ask for.
Would you like to see this in action? Join our community to be included in this annual event.
Appropriate Technology Classes
Appropriate Technology in Permaculture: Harnessing Energy Wisely
In permaculture design, we prioritize real-time sunlight as our primary energy source, working with direct converters whenever possible to minimize our carbon footprint. Instead of relying on energy-intensive solutions, we design with nature—for example, planting trees for summer shade rather than turning on an air conditioner.
When additional heating or cooling is necessary, we carefully select the most sustainable, low-impact options that align with natural systems. Our approach considers tools, materials, and techniques with the lowest embodied energy while still achieving the desired results.
By integrating passive design, renewable resources, and energy-efficient strategies, we create resilient, self-sustaining systems that support both human needs and ecological health. We integrate the following educational opportunities into our PDC and Natural Building Workshops.
Composting Classes
Nutrient Cycles in Nature: Building Fertile, Productive Gardens
Nature constantly cycles nutrients, ensuring that resources are never wasted. In a healthy ecosystem, plants and animals absorb and store nutrients in their bodies, and when they die, they decompose, returning those same nutrients to the soil for other organisms to use.
We can mimic this process in our gardens by composting, which helps capture and retain nutrients. Just as plants, soil life, and animals need continuous nourishment to thrive, so does our soil. By regularly adding composted materials, we enhance soil fertility over time, making your garden more productive and resilient year after year.
Incorporating compost into your garden not only improves soil health but also helps create a self-sustaining system that reduces the need for external inputs and increases the overall vitality of your site. These classes are integrated into our PDC in partnership with RivCo Dept. of Waste Resources.
Product Development Classes
Turn Your Kitchen and Garden into Profitable Ventures
Even small-scale production in your kitchen and garden can generate a surplus that you can sell, creating valuable income streams. The following classes are designed to help you develop and maximize these opportunities, turning your passion for growing and creating into a sustainable source of income.
Would you like more details on how to get started with these classes? ????
Local Business Development Classes
The Power of Local Commerce in Combating Climate Change
Local commerce plays a crucial role in mitigating human-induced climate change. By keeping products and services within the community, we reduce transport miles and packaging waste, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This approach not only helps the environment but also supports local economies, as wealth and resources remain within the community rather than being sent to distant corporations.
Furthermore, local residents are often more invested in environmental stewardship, making them more likely to care for and protect their surroundings compared to out-of-town corporations. By fostering local exchange, we build a stronger, more sustainable future for both people and the planet.
Skill Building Workshops
Stewardship
Our Privilege and Duty to the Planet
Our time on Earth is brief, yet our impact on the planet is profound. Since the Industrial Revolution, we've enjoyed the conveniences of modern life, but at the expense of our environment. Today, we have the knowledge and tools to partner with nature, creating solutions that are not only sustainable but also convenient.
Embracing stewardship is both a privilege and a responsibility—a duty to future generations to protect and nurture the world we inhabit. It’s time to act in harmony with nature, ensuring a thriving, resilient planet for those who come after us.
Would you like to explore how you can take part in this vital work? Join our community and sign up for our newsletter????
Fitness, Health & Wellness
Embracing a Life of Production: Health, Community, and Sustainability
Shifting from consumers to producers involves more than just growing food or making goods—it’s about becoming more active and engaged in the world around us. To thrive in this new way of life, we need physical conditioning, including strength and flexibility, a clean, healthy nutrition program, and the support of friends and community with whom we can share and enjoy the fruits of our labor.
As part of our collective education and event offerings, we provide opportunities to learn not just sustainable skills but also how to nurture our bodies, minds, and relationships to live fully and sustainably. Together, we can build a future where we are all empowered producers—strong, healthy, and connected.
Would you like to know more about our events and programs that foster this holistic approach to sustainability? ????