The Permaculture Principles
Principle 1: Observe and Interact – “By taking the time to engage with nature we can design solutions that suit our particular situation.” “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Principle 2: Catch and Store Energy – “By developing systems that collect resources when they are abundant, we can use them in times of need.” “Make hay while the sun shines.”
Principle 3: Obtain a Yield – “Ensure that you are getting truly useful rewards as part of the work that you are doing.” “You can’t work on an empty stomach”
Principle 4: Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback – “We need to discourage inappropriate activity to ensure that systems can continue to function well.” “The sins of the fathers are visited on the children unto the seventh generation”
Principle 5: Use and Value Renewable Resources and Services – “Make the best use of nature’s abundance to reduce our consumptive behaviour and dependence on non-renewable resources.”
Principle 6: Produce no Waste – “By valuing and making use of all the resources that are available to us, nothing goes to waste.” “A stitch in time saves nine.” “Waste not, want not.”
Principle 7: Design from Patterns to Details – “By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with the details filled in as we go.” “Can’t see the forest for the trees”
Principle 8: Integrate rather than Segregate – “By putting the right things in the right place, relationships develop between them and they support each other.” “Many hands make light work”
Principle 9: Use Small and Slow Solutions – “Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, making better use of local resources and produce more sustainable outcomes.” “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” “Slow and steady wins the race.”
Principle 10: Use and Value Diversity – “Diversity reduces vulnerability to a variety of threats and takes advantage of the unique nature of the environment in which it resides.”
Principle 11: Use Edges and Value the Marginal – “The interface between things is where the most interesting events take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive elements in the system.” “Don’t think you are on the right track just because it’s a well-beaten path”
Principle 12: Creatively Use and Respond to Change – “We can have a positive impact on inevitable change by carefully observing, and then intervening at the right time.” “Vision is not seeing things as they are but as they will be”
Thanks to Source: http://permacultureprinciples.com
