Homeowners, landowners and others interested in creating landscapes in harmony with nature may find the Permaculture Design Certificate Course a valuable springboard to success.

The course is offered this spring by the Global Environmental Management Education Center (GEM), a center within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the practice of providing food, energy and shelter in a sustainable way. In agriculture, permaculture practitioners strive to match the diversity and resiliency of natural ecosystems. Homeowners and landowners learn ways to work with nature in creating landscapes and gardens.

The GEM Permaculture Design Certificate Course is offered over six weekends beginning April 8 and 9. Participants will split time between classroom study and hands-on exercises such as composting and building portable greenhouses. The course includes permaculture system demonstrations and field trips.

Course graduates earn the Permaculture Research Institute�s Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC), which is renowned for producing ecological system thinkers and doers with design skills, and connects students to a global network of Permaculture contacts and projects. Attaining a PDC is a foundation for further learning in this field, and is a prerequisite to obtaining a diploma in permaculture design, which requires two years of practical application of permaculture in a range of disciplines.

More information about the GEM Permaculture Design Certificate Course and online course registration is available at the GEM Web site, www.uwsp.edu/cnr/GEM.

-30-

cnr/vc/GEM PD course