New UK agroecology database

Agroecology Research.net/work

This website provides a platform for networking, research, and engagement related to agroecology in the UK. The platform hosts the outputs of a scoping study into agroecological business models in the UK. A central output of the study is a database of agroecological businesses, projects, and initiatives in the UK. All of the information contained in the database is publicly available online and was not provided by the individual initiatives. The database available here is intended to be an interactive and growing resource. This site also provides a history of agroecology, extensive related literature and external resources, and a forum for those interested in agroecology to interact.

Editors wanted for new journal

Editors required for new permaculture journal 

As part of The Permaculture International Research Network, we are developing a new online journal, Permaculture Research.  It will be an interdisciplinary, peer reviewed journal that publishes high quality research on all aspects of permaculture. To strengthen our editorial team, we are seeking Assistant Editors from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Follow the link to find out more.

Concrete decay destroys infrastructure (online)

How industrial civilisation is (literally) built on a foundation with an expiry date

The main issue is simple: putting in steel reinforcing bars lowers the cost and weight of installing reinforced concrete, but at the severe expense of reducing its lifespan. In other words, literally everything you see today that’s made of concrete will need to be replaced within a hundred years of its installation.
Our reinforced concrete infrastructure sends a dire warning.

New eco-village research website

Global Ecovillage Network Research Website

The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) is a network of sustainable communities that bridge different cultures, countries, and continents. GEN serves as umbrella organization for ecovillages, transition town initiatives, intentional communities, and ecologically-minded individuals worldwide. Their research group has a new website, which will be a contact point for and coordination of researchers that approach ecovillages or GEN. It aims at networking, integration & dissemination, and setting values in the area of ecovillage research.

Permaculture digital books service

Permaculture Digital Books for Institutions

Our friends at Permanent Publications (Permaculture magazine) have made 10 of their titles available to promote permaculture to institutions globally (libraries and universities). We would like to encourage academics to persuade their universities and favoured libraries to purchase at least one! Institutions around the world can now buy digital versions of these books, and all their members get access to those digital versions for free. This platform is free to trial for institutions for the next week or so, so they can see how searchable the product is.

PIRN website goes live!

Permaculture International Research Network website now live!

In order to further knowledge and understanding of permaculture in all its aspects, researchers and practitioners need to work closely together and learn from each other. PIRN will facilitate this by:

• Promoting knowledge exchange,
• Providing peer group support,
• Giving access to journals, books and literature reviews,
• Developing collaborative action research projects, and
• Creating a place to access research and to share findings.

PIRN is the world’s first such network. PIRN was launched at the International Permaculture Conference in London, September 2015. We are delighted to announce that the PIRN website is now live.

Zero Carbon Britian discussions (online)

Zero Carbon Britain discussion papers

The ZCB project has been encouraging contributors to write discussion papers to probe, ponder, reflect and imagine what a zero carbon Britain might be like.
We asked for their help to raise awareness of a more carbon responsible society, by looking at a diverse range of impacts of a zero carbon Britain. From faith groups to farmers, from restaurants to rugby teams, the aim is to get people talking about what it would be like to live in a world where we rise to our 21st century challenges.

Permaculture Research Handbook (online)

The Permaculture Research Handbook

The Permaculture Research Handbook is aimed at those with some knowledge of permaculture but no research background who want to undertake a permaculture research project, whether as diploma apprentices, undergraduates, volunteers, or just for fun. The Handbook uses the SADIMETS model of seven straightforward steps (survey, analyse, design, implement and maintain, evaluate, tweak, and share) to guide the reader through the research process, from the first project idea to a published final report. 7 experienced permaculture designers and researchers collaborated to produce the handbook. It is free to download.

Introduction to urban wildlife gardening (online)

Creating a Healthy Apartment or Townhouse

Even if you live in an apartment, townhouse, or condominium development without much space for landscaping, the right mix of ingredients on a balcony, patio, terrace, or rooftop can be an oasis that provides food and rest for wildlife in an urban concrete desert. Coordinated efforts by neighbors can transform an entire multi-unit building or complex into a thriving urban habitat that is part of a larger living landscape. This leaflet shows you how.

Intro to system science and permaculture (online)

Thinking Systematically: Achieving Sustainable Systems

A simple introduction to systems science and its links to permaculture:

• Systems science provides a means of analyzing and understanding complex processes based on a few basic principles
• Complex systems behave in complex ways and may change over time
• When problems emerge there is an underlying positive feedback loop that may not be evident
• Such problems cannot be solved using linear causality thinking
• True sustainability involves whole systems thinking and design
• Permaculture is the application of systems thinking to the design of living arrangements

Shelter belt design guide (online)

The Principles of Using Woods for Shelter

This Information Note describes the physical principles that determine the impact of woodlands on shelter provision. The importance of the woodland height, porosity, width, length, orientation and shape on the area and level of shelter are discussed. Three generic shelter wood types are identified (‘windshield’, ‘windbreak’ and ‘hybrid’) together with their most
appropriate applications. The Note points to the crucial need to understand the reasons for creating shelter in order to determine the most effective design.

Uk agriculture facts website (online)

UK Agriculture 

This web site about agriculture and farming was established in 1999 in an attempt to help widen understanding about the role of agriculture in the countryside. The website attempts to provide an easy to read, visual approach to the chronology of agricultural systems and the relationship between food and farming. It is also committed to preserving the countryside and improving its biodiversity.

Soil science and soil crisis (online)

Energy Balance

These blogs (by Professor Chris Rhodes) dated 22nd April and 6th April 2014 give a lovely introduction to the science of soil, and to the current crisis of soil, which all growers without a strong background in this area should read. It is a blog so perhaps a bit light for inclusion here, but contains so much great information that I thought it was worth it. Prof. Rhodes' older blog posts deal with a huge range of environmental issues (ranging from peak oil to home-made sauerkraut), many of which will be of interest to permaculture practitioners. 

Live more on less (online)

“There is no wealth but life”: A practical action plan for living more on less.

We all understand the importance of reducing resource and energy consumption and stepping more lightly on the planet. But figuring out exactly how to do this in a consumer society can be very challenging.
The aim of this website is to provide a practical action plan for those people who wish to live a ‘simpler life’ of reduced and restrained consumption. The Simpler Way represents a life with less clutter, less waste, and less fossil fuel use, but also a life with more time for the things that truly inspire and bring happiness.

The Campaign for Real Farming (online)

Campaign for real farming website

'The Agrarian Renaissance needs new kinds of farms – polycultural, low-input, skills intensive; and these new farms need appropriate markets – generally local, and geared to the small-scale; and overall we need a true food culture – people who truly appreciate what good food is, and are prepared to seek it out.'
The mission statement of this website is reflected in its contents, and unlike many it is kept right up to date.