Permaculture Design Certificate - PDC Course

PDC Course Outline
A PDC is a 72 hour intensive course combining theory and practice. Satisfactory completion of the course will enable you to design and implement your own designs in a sustainable permaculture system. This is a certificated course and effectively gives you the right and base level of knowledge to operate as a permaculture related enterprise.
Permaculture Design Certificate (10 days) $880
- Concession/Unemployed $550

PDC Course Outline
Introduction
• Overview, definitions, ethics, human influence on ecosystems.
Principles of Design
• Zones, sectors, elements, stacking, recycling, matter cycles, guilds.
Patterns in Design
• Edge effects, streamlining, spirals, slope, keyhole, suntraps,
Landscape & Climate
• Humidity, temperature ranges, topography, soil types, land form type, microclimates,
Soils
• Soil structure, humus, essential minerals, trace elements, soil analysis, PH
Water
• Water harvesting, irrigation, tanks & dams, swales, key line, rainfall
Buildings
• Energy conservation, passive solar design, retro fitting, building materials
Alternative Energy Sources & IT
• Bio gas, solar collectors, wind & water turbines, hydraulic pumps, computer generated designs & web sources
Waste Recycling
• Grey water, composting toilets, compost
Plants & Trees
• Forest types, tree crops, forage, coppicing, agro forestry, wind breaks, seed collection, herbs, vegetables, plant propagation
Animals
• Types, maintenance & management, uses, integration, suitable small animals
Aquaculture
• Ponds, lakes, dams, plant & animal species, mariculture, water quality
Techniques
• Maps, contours, surveying, design implementation; rural, suburban & urban
Networking
• Support groups, LETS, communities, further studies, Transition Initiative, resources, ethical investment, community gardens, Permablitz

Included in the PDC will be numerous field trips around Perth to show examples of different suburban permaculture systems. There will also be an opportunity to design & implement some or all of apermaculture garden.