Permaculture Northern Beaches: Upcoming Events
Plastic Free July
Permaculture Northern Beaches is a part of the Plastic Free July challenge - Join Us!
The plastic bottles, bags and takeaway containers that we use for just a few minutes use a material that is designed to last forever. Every bit of plastic ever made still exists!
These plastics:
- Break up, not break down – becoming permanent pollution
- Are mostly made into low-grade products for just one more use or sent to a landfill
- End up in waterways and the ocean – where scientists predict there will be more tons of plastic than tons of fish by 2050
- Transfer to the food chain – carrying pollutants with them
- Increase our eco-footprint – plastic manufacturing consumes 6% of the world’s fossil fuels
Be part of the solution, by taking up these habits:
Refusing plastic bags and packaging (choose your own alternatives)
Reducing packaging where possible (opt for refills, remember your reusable shopping bags)
Refusing plastics that escape as litter (e.g. straws, takeaway cups, utensils, balloons)
Recycling what cannot be avoided by the use of alternatives.
Register to join over 100,000 Australians and a million+ people worldwide stepping up in Plastic Free July www.plasticfreejuly.org
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COMMUNITY SEED SWAP EVENT
When: Saturday, July 13, 2024: 10:30am – 12:00pm
Where: Balogowlah Community Garden, 100 Griffiths Street, Balgowlah
Gather your seeds for a seed swap! Share and swap quality seeds that are grown organically, locally, and over generations.
Tap into the knowledge and the library of seeds of Balgowlah Community Garden and Permaculture Northern Beaches. Information will be provided on how to save and store your own seeds. This is an invaluable resource for the local community to grow food from your own seeds and enjoy the Swapping experience. If you’ve never come to a seed swap, the more the merrier!
You may choose to bring along a plate of food to share.
We hope to see you there!
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LOW-TOX BODY & HOME PRODUCT-MAKING WORKSHOP
When: Thursday, July 25, 2024: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where: Tramshed Arts and Community Centre -Lakeview Room, 1395A Pittwater Road, Narrabeen
This will be a hands-on session, during which participants will learn how to prepare two organic low-tox products, one for the body and one for use in the home. Participants will be guided step-by-step in making beautiful simple products with natural essential oils, and sustainably sourced organic ingredients.
Participants receive a free product of their choice at the end of the workshop, with an option to purchase additional products. Recipes will also be made available for workshop participants.
This is part of Permaculture Northern Beaches' Living Skills initiative for a non-toxic lifestyle.
Spaces are limited, workshop cost is $15 for PNB members and $20 for non-members.
Reserve your space at: https://events.humanitix.com/low-tox-product-making-workshop
We’ll also be offering PNB’s very own brand of Authentic Chai Tea. You’re warmly invited to bring along a small plate to share with all at the workshop.
For inquiries: info@permaculturenorthernbeaches.org.au
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PERMABEE AT WINONA SUSTAINABLE HOUSE & GARDEN
When: Saturday, August 10, 2024: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Address to be provided upon reserving your space (map) - at Fairlight
This PermaBee offers a great chance to meet like-minded people, learn new skills and get inspired with what’s possible like food forest gardens, animal habitats, vegetable gardens and more!
Permaculture is a design systems approach to living harmoniously with nature. The foundational principles emulate practices that are akin to Sustainability, Regenerative Agriculture and Zero Waste. The 3 ethics of Permaculture are Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPERTY
The Winona Sustainable House and Garden features original buildings dated back to 1914 and pre-20th century. The owners of this property have lived here for almost 40 years. Over this time in response to environmental issues worldwide they have worked hard to progress zero waste and sustainability practices as a way of life.
Around 2 decades ago the owners Keelah and Ahlek participated in a Permaculture Design Course. This experience inspired them with the help of friends and working-bees to establish growing food and managing chickens.
Since 2003 the Winona Sustainable House and Garden has been open for tours like Solar House Day, Sustainable House Day, Permaculture Day and Sydney Edible Garden Trail. The property boasts a 23,000L rainwater tank, a two phase reed bed grey water treatment system, solar hot water, solar power and a dry composting toilet (Rotaloo) accessible from both upstairs and downstairs.
In recent years the garden has received much appreciated hard work by the cottage tenants who take great interest and delight in experimenting with better ways to utilise each area of the garden guided by Permaculture design principles. The garden currently features veggie patches, banana groves, fruit trees, ponds, composting, worm farms and chickens.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY
Please arrive early for a 9am start. Bear in mind parking can get difficult in this area particularly on weekends, though less at this time of the year. Morning tea will be at 11am. We will end the day with lunch at 1pm. Please bring a dish to share for lunch. We ask you to plan carefully to avoid single use packaging.
Bring your tools: While some tools will be provided, having more is always a good idea. Have them clearly labelled so not to confuse them with others.
- - Long handled shovels for digging.
- - Buckets for moving soil, rocks and water.
- - Gardening gloves.
- - Clothes you can get wet and dirty
FAMILIES WELCOME
Bring along those budding sustainable gardeners!
While many veggie patches have been formed with nutrient dense compost and protective netting from animals, the key ingredient that has lacked is access to water. This is where we will be working to install a wicking bed system. In this type of garden, once plants get established they’ll be able to access water when they need it, this also supports them to be more resilient. Alongside the mission of this property we’ll be able to conserve up to 80% of water used than if we were to water from above the soil. We’ll be repurposing some material that would have otherwise gone to waste.
Alongside a neighbouring fence we experience large volumes of water from rain events. This is where the beginnings of a swale has been formed to slow down water and encourage absorption into the soil. In another area there is an abundance of rocks of various sizes. We shall combine the two by making a dry creek water bed.
The few ponds we have onsite while wonderful and functioning as is, could do with some love and care. There may be additional tasks like weeding and pruning. We’ll see on the day.
Book your free space here (limited availability): www.eventbrite.com.au/e/permabee-at-winona-sustainable-house-and-garden-tickets
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INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE TWO-DAY COURSE
When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 – Sunday, September 29, 2024: starts 9:00am
Where: North Curl Curl Community Centre, Corner of Abbott Road and Griffin Road, North Curl Curl
The Introduction to Permaculture is a 12 hour course over two days introducing the Ethics and Principles of Permaculture. It will provide you with an initial understanding and overview of Permaculture and will also give you insight as to whether you would like to continue studying permaculture by doing a Permaculture Design Certificate course or PDC.
This hands-on engaging course will be held at North Curl Curl Community Centre and Curly Community Garden.
To register your interest, reach out to: info@permaculturenorthernbeaches.org.au
