What is permaculture?

Permaculture is a design approach based on understandings of how nature works. At its heart permaculture has three ethics:

1. Earth Care
2. People Care
3. Fair Shares

This makes permaculture a unique toolkit that is used to design regenerative systems at all scales - from home and garden to community, farms and bioregions around the world.

The word permaculture is originally from 'permanent agriculture,' then 'permanent culture'. The concept originated in Australia, bringing together a long history of practices from indigenous cultures around the world, and combining them with the science of ecology, design approaches and appropriate technology.

With permaculture, people are treading lightly on our planet, in harmony with nature. Taking care of people and fellow creatures. Making sure that we can sustain human activities for many generations to come. Culture change not climate change!

We have been supporting people to learn and apply permaculture for over 36 years. We are building a network of people with the power to create healthy cultures and ecosystems. We can help you learn more and connect with the global permaculture movement for change.

Sign up to receive just a few emails from us a month, with the latest network opportunities, jobs, and inspiring stories.

Permaculture definitions

Different people explain permaculture in different ways.

"Permaculture offers ways we can design human habitat, places for people to be, that work with nature."

"How we use systems thinking and these design principles to apply to whatever you want... anyone can learn about it."

"I find it very difficult, like everyone else, to define permaculture because it covers all of human living." - Rosemary Morrow

Learn more about permaculture and help it spread - become a member of the Permaculture Association.

Hear from permaculture practitioners around the world in this playlist:

Learn more as a Permaculture Association member

Whether you are involved in gardening, farming, building homes, economic regeneration, or business, using permaculture design empowers you to make the right choices for a sustainable future. Join thousands of others - be part of the global movement for change.

Just one of the benefits of Permaculture Association membership is our exclusive learning emails.

Get the first learning email when you sign up to our email list or join today to receive the whole series as well as all other benefits.