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THE SUSTAINABILITY CENTRE
  • About Us
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    • ​Leave a Review
  • Whats On
    • Macbeth
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  • Courses
    • Courses Diary >
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Garden Sculpture Course
        • Willow Festive Decoration Workshops
        • Willow Weaving Workshops
        • Willow Bird and Birdfeeder Workshop
        • Willow Reindeer Course
        • Zarzo Willow Basket Course
      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Soundbath Evening
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Nature Painting on Wood
        • Sashiko Stitching Course
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Creating Wilder Gardens
        • Compost Toilets Course
        • Sustainable Cut-Flower Growing
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Trug Making Course
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
    • Gift Cards for Courses
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Bursaries
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Shepherds Hut
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Group Accommodation
    • Gift Cards for Accommodation
    • Things to Do >
      • Site Map
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Education
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips >
      • Saxon Experience
    • Residentials >
      • Residential Accommodation
      • Farm Tours
    • Group Bookings >
      • Colleges and Universities
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • Forest School >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Forest School 6 - 16 Years
      • Forest School Training
    • For Teachers >
      • Fair Share Fund
      • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Contact the Education Team
    • Forest School Terms and Conditions
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies
    • Donations
  • Our Future
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Donations
    • Friends >
      • Business Friends >
        • Business Friends
    • Fair Share Fund
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Cast Off
    • Give As You Shop
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability Wheel
    • Ask an Expert
    • Greener Homes >
      • Advice Sheets
    • Projects >
      • Land Management >
        • Beekeepers
        • Chalk Grassland
        • Coppice
        • Forest Gardening
        • Herb Gardens
        • Mini Meadow
        • Nettles & Brambles
        • Permaculture
        • Ponds
      • Building & Structures >
        • Accommodation Eco Retrofit
        • Compost Toilet
        • Low Impact Building
        • Solar Projects
        • Tree Bog
        • Wetherdown Lodge
        • Woodland Hall
        • Yurts
    • Articles >
      • Art & Craft
      • Growing
      • Health
      • Meditation
      • Weaving Willow
      • Young People
  • Donate & Buy
    • Eco Shop
    • Eco T-Shirts
    • Gift Cards
    • Donations
  • Visit Us
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Beech Cafe
    • Site Map
    • Talk & Tour
    • Room & Space Hire >
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    • Contact Us >
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Introduction to Permaculture Design

£330 reserve a place for £75 (non-returnable deposit)
​
Times:
Thursday - Saturday 09:30 - 17:30
​Sunday 09:30 - 16:30

Tutor: Aranya
​
Teas/coffees included
thursday 1st - sunday 4th october 2026
​deposit £75 (non-returnable)
​​click here to ​buy now
thursday 1st - sunday 4th october 2026
​full payment £330
​​click here to ​buy now
courses waiting list
" The course was fun, educational and incredibly informative. Aranya was excellent. He was respectful of everyone's opinion and experience despite the depth of  knowledge he has in Permaculture.  A wonderful set-up that everyone should experience."

   This course:

  • Benefits social wellbeing
  • ​Promotes low impact living
  • Supports homegrown food production
  • Protects biodiversity
  • Reduces energy use​​​


​ABOUT THE COURSE

This course is designed to introduce Permaculture principles but with an emphasis on supporting participants with designing their own homes and gardens.  It is no ordinary 'Permaculture intro' course, and not quite a full Permaculture Design course either.  Rather, through the course, Aranya will cover the key principles of Permaculture design theory and how we can apply them in redesigning our homes and gardens to be both more sustainable and abundant. 

Permaculture is about working with nature to make a better world for us all. It offers us an approach that helps us to identify the best tools and techniques for each of our own unique circumstances. You'll learn about green building, energy efficiency, permaculture design, soil, water conservation, forest gardens and much more.

​You will use group work, discussions, observation and practical activities as learning methods.   These are supportive of different learning styles and for people with learning difficulties.  Permaculture Design courses are not just about imparting information to the students - there is plenty of knowledge out there - the important thing is knowing how to use this and feeling confident to do so.

​Empowerment is the essence of the course.  Aranya will use practical and theoretical teaching methods to create a fun, lively and inclusive experience.  As a group you will benefit from collaborative learning and from having fun together.  ​

TIMETABLE 

Day One - Permaculture Basics:
  • Permaculture ethics
  • Principles of attitude
  • Principles of ecology
  • Energy efficient planning tools

Day Two - The Permaculture Garden:
  • Soil basics
  • The Soil food web
  • Permaculture gardening factors & techniques
  • Building soil and fertility
  • Fruit trees and forest gardens

Day Three- The Permaculture Home:
  • Buildings & structures: materials, energy efficiency
  • Retrofitting homes
  • Water harvesting and conservation
​
Day Four - The Permaculture Design Process*:
  • The permaculture design process
  • Site observations & client needs
  • Tools & methods for data analysis
  • Getting ideas down on paper to develop later at home

* Day four is focused upon supporting participants in developing designs for their own homes and gardens

Bill MOllison Permaculture bursary

In memory of Bill Mollison, the "father of permaculture", we offer an annual bursary funded by our Charity – the Earthworks Trust, to support a student on our Introduction to Permaculture Design Course every year. 
Find out more

THE COURSE WILL GIVE YOU

  •  Grasp of permaculture ethics and principles
  •  Understanding of the permaculture design process
  •  Inspiration to apply permaculture design in their lives.

THE COURSE IS SUITABLE FOR

We don't expect any previous permaculture knowledge and recognise that everyone has their own unique skills, knowledge and areas of interest to bring.

WHAT TO BRING & WEAR

  • In addition to indoor shoes please bring outdoor weather-appropriate clothing and a stout pair of shoes 
  • Notebook and pen
  • A4 Folder for handouts
  • Digital storage e.g. memory stick or laptop
  • A packed lunch or lunch is also available from our onsite vegetarian cafe

ABOUT THE TUTOR

Picture
 Aranya has been hooked on permaculture since 1996. Completing his Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design in 2003, Aranya started teaching the following year. He discovered this made his heart sing, so he made it his main focus. Since then he has taught almost 110 two-week design courses, something he has no intention of stopping. He feels that it's a privilege to have the opportunity to teach "something that can make a real difference in all our lives".
 
An active member of the Permaculture Association for twenty five years, he served first as a trustee and subsequently as a member of several working groups. He regularly writes articles, especially for Permaculture Magazine, and produces short videos for his You Tube channel. In the spring of 2012 Permanent Publications published his first book 'Permaculture Design - a Step-by-Step Guide', which evolved from a set of design course worksheets. It's since been translated into six languages and has sold over 40,000 copies. Aranya is currently writing a second book, about a subject he’s especially fascinated by, about the use of natural patterns in permaculture design.

Aranya's Website
www.learnpermaculture.com

ABOUT THE COURSE VENUE

The Sustainability Centre in the South Downs National Park, near Petersfield, sits in 55 acres of woodland and natural chalk downland and has a wide range of habitats: rough grassland, chalk grassland, native woodland, coniferous woodland, ponds and hedges. We are actively restoring, maintaining and researching all the natural habitats on site to increase biodiversity. We teach the public that economic development can be achieved without degrading the rural environment.

​There is accommodation on site in the form of an ecolodge, camping, tipis and yurts. The ecolodge 
has been refitted using sustainable building materials and boasts an integrated solar photovoltaic roof. Parts of the course may take place outdoors, weather permitting and include tours of the site. The grounds have compost toilets, a kitchen garden and a small Forest Garden. 

stay with us 

You can get 10% discount when you stay with us during your course in our campsite or eco lodge. Please call us on 01730 823166 to make your accommodation booking. Our reception is open Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
check availability & Book
HEALTH AND SAFETY DISCLAIMER
When visiting our site please take appropriate care, some areas have uneven surfaces with trip hazards associated with the great outdoors - conditions can be slippery in wet weather. Please ensure that you dress for the outdoors and bring footwear suitable for all types of weather. The Sustainability Centre will not accept responsibility for any injuries sustained by visitors.  
​EARTHWORKS TRUST  ​
The Sustainability Centre is owned and operated by ​The Earthworks Trust (Charity No. 1079866).
EARTHWORKS FOUNDATION
Our trading company is Earthworks Foundation.
​All profits go to support our charity The Earthworks Trust.




​Charity Number ​

​​1079866
​


Picture
Picture

Main Address

The Sustainability Centre 
​Droxford Road,
East Meon, Hants
​GU32 1HR

Reception

01730 823166
​[email protected]

Cafe

01730 823755
[email protected]  

South Downs Eco Lodge ​& Camp Site

01730 823549
[email protected]

Burials

​01730 823425
​[email protected]

Education

​[email protected]

Courses

​[email protected]

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  • Courses
    • Courses Diary >
      • Willow Craft Courses >
        • Willow Garden Sculpture Course
        • Willow Festive Decoration Workshops
        • Willow Weaving Workshops
        • Willow Bird and Birdfeeder Workshop
        • Willow Reindeer Course
        • Zarzo Willow Basket Course
      • Wellbeing Courses >
        • Nature Led Meditation Evening
        • Medicinal Herb Workshops
        • Unwind in the Woods Retreat
        • Creative Forest Bathing & Therapeutic Sound day
        • Foraging, Fire and Folklore
        • Soundbath Evening
        • Bushcraft Skills: One or two day
      • Craft and Upcycling Courses >
        • Nature Painting on Wood
        • Sashiko Stitching Course
        • Off-loom Weaving Workshop
        • Natural Ink Making Workshop
        • Fabric Baskets Course
      • Home and Garden Courses >
        • Creating Wilder Gardens
        • Compost Toilets Course
        • Sustainable Cut-Flower Growing
        • Intro to Permaculture Design Course
        • Composting Masterclass
        • Kitchen Gardening Course
        • Gardening in a Changing Climate Course
        • Clay Oven Building Course
        • Mushroom Cultivation Course
      • Wood Craft Courses >
        • Trug Making Course
        • Spoon Carving Course
        • Advanced Knife Skills Course
        • Woodworking Skills for Women Course
        • Shrink Pot Carving Course
        • Devon Stave Basket Making Course
      • Forest School Training >
        • Supporting Children through Anxiety and Trauma with Jon Cree
        • Rough Play in Natural World Settings with Jon Cree
        • Forest School Leader Training
        • Climbing Frames, Ropes & Ladders Course with Jon Cree
      • Sustainable Land Management Courses >
        • Coppicing Course
        • Hedgelaying Course
        • Wildflower Identification Workshop
        • Wildflower Meadows Course
        • Woodland Management Course
    • Gift Cards for Courses
    • Courses Waiting List
    • Discounts and Benefits
    • Bursaries
    • Contact the Courses Team
    • Courses Terms and Conditions
  • Accommodation
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Eco Hostel
    • Shepherds Hut
    • Yurts
    • Camping
    • Group Accommodation
    • Gift Cards for Accommodation
    • Things to Do >
      • Site Map
      • Walking and Cycling Breaks
    • Booking Enquiries
    • Accommodation Terms and Conditions
  • Education
    • Our Education Ethos
    • Day Trips >
      • Saxon Experience
    • Residentials >
      • Residential Accommodation
      • Farm Tours
    • Group Bookings >
      • Colleges and Universities
    • Alternative Education >
      • Young Natural Ambassadors
    • Forest School >
      • Wood Mouse Forest School
      • Forest School 6 - 16 Years
      • Forest School Training
    • For Teachers >
      • Fair Share Fund
      • Earth Protectors Conference
    • Contact the Education Team
    • Forest School Terms and Conditions
  • Burial Site
    • South Downs Natural Burial Site
    • Funeral Charges
    • Information Pack
    • Flowers and Planting
    • Attending A Funeral
    • Legacies
    • Donations
  • Our Future
  • Support Us
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Donations
    • Friends >
      • Business Friends >
        • Business Friends
    • Fair Share Fund
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Thank You to Our Supporters
    • Cast Off
    • Give As You Shop
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Sustainability Wheel
    • Ask an Expert
    • Greener Homes >
      • Advice Sheets
    • Projects >
      • Land Management >
        • Beekeepers
        • Chalk Grassland
        • Coppice
        • Forest Gardening
        • Herb Gardens
        • Mini Meadow
        • Nettles & Brambles
        • Permaculture
        • Ponds
      • Building & Structures >
        • Accommodation Eco Retrofit
        • Compost Toilet
        • Low Impact Building
        • Solar Projects
        • Tree Bog
        • Wetherdown Lodge
        • Woodland Hall
        • Yurts
    • Articles >
      • Art & Craft
      • Growing
      • Health
      • Meditation
      • Weaving Willow
      • Young People
  • Donate & Buy
    • Eco Shop
    • Eco T-Shirts
    • Gift Cards
    • Donations
  • Visit Us
    • Find Us
    • Opening Hours
    • Beech Cafe
    • Site Map
    • Talk & Tour
    • Room & Space Hire >
      • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us >
      • Join Mailing List
      • Leave Mailing List