A central aspect of permaculture is designing so that needs can be met in healthy, regenerative ways. Human needs and wants, and our ways of trying to get them met, are extremely complex and powerful ecologies, and affect almost all of our permaculture design work. Developing awareness and skill in emotional literacy, and being able to read human needs and patterns in the ‘Zone 00’ of others and ourselves, supports us in being more response-able permaculturalists. This interactive workshop will give powerful insight into human ecologies and help us lift up emotional intelligence, which is much-needed as we transition into the next age of consciousness and we grow a more wholistic understanding of permaculture landscapes & practices.

Presented By: Jillian Hovey

Bloom and Anahata have travelled globally with their organization, the Blooming Biodiversity Permaculture network, living at and visiting a rich diversity of Eco-villages, intentional communities, indigenous farms, and Permaculture projects. Through their slideshow presentation, you will have the opportunity to dive into their journey and experience vibrant photos and videos of the Permaculture gems they have been to. They will share best practices, innovative inventions, inspiring models, and paradigm shifting lessons they have learned from the multitudes of positive impact centers, followed by an open solutionary discussion counsel and action plans.

Presented By: Robin Liepman & Anna Simone Combi

Community and personal resilience begins with you. Be prepared for when the lights go out and the grid goes down. Practical, educational and attitude skills to survive and actually help your family or neighbor in the event of major disasters, when the usual industrial infrastructure is off-line, for shorter or longer times. Basic tactics and tools for owning your own light and electric, no matter what the circumstance. Applicable for individuals and small community groups, no matter the disaster situation or social breakdown.

Presented By: Chaz Peling

This panel assumes that water rights equate to the most basic human right to life. We will be looking at concepts that have lead to a global water crisis, where 1 in 4 people lack access to safe drinking water to be able to live.

“Right to Life” is defined not just for humans but for all life, including plants, animals, ecosystems, and microorganisms. Viewing policy reform not as a political entity but as an essential component to creating change.

A social, ecological and human rights perspective exploring themes such as environmental racism, social and environmental justice, landscape resiliency, and environmental, ecological, social, political, and structural repair of the water cycle in the modern day.

This panel intends to explore the frontlines of environmental consciousness: cultivating mindfulness in our relationship to water and discuss action steps that could lead toward a revolution where all beings have an absolute right to clean water.

Presented By: Water Now

2018 Convergence Panelists: Cheryl Angel, Cleve Steward, & Karuna Warren

New energy technologies which are pushing the boundaries of physics, chemistry, biology, electrical and mechanical engineering will transform the way that we live so much that the next 20 years will make the industrial revolution pale in comparison. This panel will explore several innovative technologies from thermal energy production, quantum power cells, bio-refineries, off grid eco-resorts power systems, zero waste systems and waste to energy production, closed loop technology-run aquaponics systems, and much more!

This robust panel is facilitated by SymbioNet and Delphi Village’s Chief Technology Officer, Rolland Gregg, who is also the founder of Imagin.com, a clean technology incubator in Seattle, WA.

Presented By: Chris Patton, David Blume, Kevin Fretz, & Rolland Gregg

“How I became a contractor to save the world, the lessons I learned from all my mistakes, and how we are still growing and not giving up.”

Marco Barrantes of La Loma Development Company will share stories from the trenches, instructions on ways to start a design-build company as a successful Permaculture contractor, and photos of La Loma’s diverse projects in Los Angeles. Topics will also include his experiences with urbanite, natural pools, public works, and school campus greening.

Learn how to become a contractor (or work with a contractor) to implement Permaculture design, and influence the trillion dollar landscape construction industry.

Presented By: Marco Barrantes

Trained 1:1 by world renowned soil expert Dr. Elaine Ingham to convey complex ideas to a K-12 audience, Matt Powers is an educator that can make soil understandable. Dive deep with Matt and learn about the world beneath your feet in and out of the garden sourcing Dr. Elaine’s work, Radical Mycologist Peter McCoy’s work, and dozens of experts from around the world as well as his own experience growing in 140F soils in Central Valley California. Join Matt for a fun, inspiring, and informative workshop on how to build soils, how to remediate soils, how to feed soil life, and how it all works micro to macro, and then learn how to apply the information to your own site!

Presented By: Matt Powers

What we learned in school about hydrological cycles was in many cases oversimplified and its importance, understated. We were never taught how human habitat, infrastructure, design, and habits affect the watershed, micro and macro water cycles, and the global climate. Learn to connect each drop of water you use –and how you use it– at home, to the bigger picture. Topics include greywater, rainwater, stormwater, groundwater recharge, waste management and regenerative water management design.

Presented By: Benoit Clement

This workshop will examine our outlook on death as an integral part of a sustainable and rejuvenative aspect of how we relate to the Earth. For a millennium people have cared for each other in life and in death. It is a natural part of who we are as responsible earthlings. In our current time, we have allowed a system for hire to take over and determine death practice. This practice is an abusive relationship to natural Earth living. It is time to reclaim hands-on care of death.

Presented By: Judith Fenley

This workshop will explore the foundations of each Ayurveda and Agroforestry, then utilize Ayurvedic wisdom to learn how to design and tend place-based edible ecosystems. Using elemental approaches to maximize health and balance, this workshop will explore plants from the dual lenses of Ayurveda and agroforestry that can benefit people and the land. From the constitution of landscapes to permaculture plant guilds, we will spend dive into ancient perspectives on the orchard ecosystem. Specific plants will be covered through their guild functions as well as Ayurvedic herbal wisdom.

Presented By: Spencer Nielsen

Workshop participants will apply permaculture principles towards developing drawing skills to improve conceptual and physical aspects of their design plans. Focus will be on the principles, “Observe and Interact”, Design from Patterns to Details” and “Integrate rather than Segregate” to explore methods of gathering, organizing and expressing design concepts from your brain to the paper. Everyone from complete beginners to experienced artists and designers is welcome. An interest in the natural world and visual expression is encouraged.

Presented By: Bonnie Borucki

This could be two workshops even:
1) F.O.G. – how to Finance, Own and Govern ‘The Commons’. Legal research project for creating regenerative land projects.
2) Lawful Permaculture – Coming out of the Closet: from land use zoning to grey/blackwater reclaimation, from legal cob/earthen affordable housing to composting toilets….all OUR ECOVILLAGE’s examples of legalizing permaculture over the past 20 years.

Presented By: Brandy Gallagher

Social Forestry is about local communities working together to enhance and restore Oak Pine savannas, riparian corridors, brush lands, community woodlands and fire resistant old growth forests.
Our work in Ecotopia (or is it Cascadia?) of re-indigenation, de-colonization and re-wilding  takes place on our forested landscapes.  We are all relations of the trees, the tall standing people.  Our attitude needs be of gratitude.

Presented By: Hazel (aka tom ward) Ward