What is permaculture and why is it important to you? Simply put, permaculture is an approach to gardening and land management that focuses on self-sufficient ecosystems. Permaculture gardens draw inspiration from nature with methods like edible landscaping and wildlife gardening to create a low-maintenance, self-contained and productive ecosystem. Join permaculture expert Delvin Solkinson on April 28th for a Green Thumb Gardening Tips Zoom presentation from noon – 1:00 p.m. and find out why permaculture may be right for you.

Find a direct link to the Zoom presentation here.

Delvin will discuss the ethics and principles of permaculture along with design frameworks, soil and quick return composting, water strategies and plant and tree systems. He will also talk about permaculture as it relates to animal systems and integrated pest management along with climate strategies for the Pacific Northwest. “Integrating this toolkit of design principles, strategies and methods can inspire new, creative and holistic approaches to garden design and maintenance,” said Delvin.

Delvin’s 25 years of gardening expertise includes designing, building and maintaining the Heart Gardens, a permaculture demonstration site in the downtown of Roberts Creek, B.C., Canada. “Passionate about plants with a history of use by Coastal First Peoples, I love exploring how people can provide for more of their own needs more effectively by working in cooperation with nature,” he said.

Delvin is a community gardener, student and teacher from British Columbia, B.C., Canada. Collaborating with his wife Grace, a homesteader and herbalist, he creates free learning and teaching tools, writes articles and makes videos. He teaches courses offering certificates in permaculture design, and advanced courses offering permaculture diplomas.

After graduating from Simon Fraser University with a post-bachelor’s degree, Delvin pursued 20 years of permaculture design education, a masters and doctorate. As the Diploma Program Coordinator for the Permaculture Institute, he supports learners to apply permaculture into the unique context of their own lives and get recognition for doing so. Delvin and Grace’s book, cards and game along with a host of other free resources, tools, downloads, videos and podcasts can be found at visionarypermaculture.com

Green Thumb Education Series Presentations are held from 12 to 1 pm on the second and fourth Thursdays of most months. Talks are currently only being offered by online streaming, due to current social distancing concerns with COVID-19. Please see instructions for accessing the live stream. Presentations and associated printed materials will be archived on the local articles and archived presentations portion of our website. These events are free, but donations to help support the WSU Clallam County Extension Master Gardener program are appreciated.