The Institute of Ecotourism held its first

ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPING SERIES
 
Beginning with lectures January 2007 and ending March 25^th 2007
with a hands-on composting and herbal spiral project 

Topics for the lectures included:

An Introduction to Permaculture, Water Harvesting,
Edible landscaping and Creating Garden Soil.

WHAT IS PERMACULTURE?

Permaculture is an ecological sensitive design system utilized to create a sustainable landscape. When contemplative observation and consideration is used to make decisions for land use systems, the result is a harmonious integration of architecture, ecological economics, organic gardening, agro forestry and social systems. 

HANDS ON
PROJECTS

An Herbal Spiral is a compact raised spiraled garden bed built with rocks and composted soil allowing a collection of medicinal and culinary plants to grow.  Its vertical access saves space and creates light variations for individual plant needs.  The spiral shape is naturally found in nature and fun to create.

Composting soil improves soil structure, aeration and increases the soil’s water-holding capacity, a very important element for those of us in the desert landscape of Arizona.  Composted soil also improves soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development in plants.  Compost is a mix of decomposing plant and animal matter.

Speakers for the Ecological Landscaping Series Included:

Chris Anderson (Sedona) has practiced ecological landscaping since 1996. Chris is creating a food forest at a community garden project at Crescent Moon Ranch.  He earned a Permaculture Design Certificate in 2001.

Josh Robinson (Flagstaff) has a Master’s degree in Ecological Landscape Design from Prescott College.  Josh is the author of a handbook for ecological landscape design in the suburbs.  He received his Permaculture Design Certificate in 2002.

Karen Taylor (Clarkdale) is a professional organic gardener and orchardist.  Karen has studied, taught and practice aspects of permaculture in Arizona since 1996 and earned her Permaculture Design Certificate in 1998.

For more information e-mail EdenOnEarth@yahoo.com