Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma
Program Overview
The Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma is a 9-month program that provides training for participants who are interested in creating resilient and regenerative systems and lifestyles within the context of Permaculture design processes, tools, methods and strategies.
Providing an immersive curriculum in permaculture design, this training goes above and beyond basic training and includes courses in:
- Foundational Permaculture concepts including:
- Ethics and principles and Indigenous perspectives
- Pattern literacy including:
- Mapping and design methods
- Ecological literacy including:
- Mushrooms, plants & animals, soils, water, ecological restoration, bioremediation and herbalism
- Design literacy including:
- Organizational planning, governance, economy, community building & development, facilitation, natural building and applied design.
Length: 9 months
Offered: yearly beginning in February
Hours: 720 total
Program Enrolment: Maximum 18
My experience in the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma has been life altering in all of the best ways. The way I look at the world, at our ecosystems and at our history as individuals and a society has forever been changed. The value of understanding regenerative farming, sustainable practices and how to thrive while practicing permaculture principles are priceless. I am grateful for all of the instructors that shared their passions with us and continue to plant seeds of inspiration and knowledge for a brighter future.
– Nikki Wilkinson, Alumnus
Why Pacific Rim College?
What You’ll Learn:
Key Learning Outcome #1
To strategically design, implement and steward abundant, resilient and regenerative systems through the application of appropriate permaculture principles, techniques, design methods and processes.
Key Learning Outcome #2
Earth Care: To understand and care for the natural ecology by developing proficiency in building soil, performing animal, mushroom, plant and tree care, sustainable water and energy management, bioremediation and natural building.
Key Learning Outcome #3
People Care: To understand and care for the social ecology via knowing the history of Traditional People and practices and to build healthy communities through placemaking, participatory and inclusive practices and herbalism.
Key Learning Outcome #4
Future Care: To become aware of and engage in local restoration work, ethical wildcrafting, perennial gardening, traditional skill building, employment and life planning.
Key Learning Outcome #5
Transition: Be able to effectively integrate, apply and share new understandings and experiences of Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems into your personal life, land, livelihood and community.
To me, the PDRE program embodies holism in every sense of the word. It is a re-remembrance of what it means to be a human on this earth, and reminds us how to co-create with the land and its people in an inventive, harmonious way that celebrates the unique gifts and contributions of all. When I think back to all that I have experienced through this program, I recall how it felt to make a hawthorn tincture, or learn how to sheet mulch, or taste a medlar for the first time. It has taught me a deeper, more grounded way of interacting with the past and the future in this pivotal time on earth – honouring where we come from, learning how to be a good ancestor.
– Dominique Argan, Alumnus
Core Program Instructors
Mark is a co-founder of the City Repair Project in Portland, Oregon, and founder and principal of Communitecture, Inc.
Christina has 15 years teaching experience in organic horticulture, landscape design, and plant ID.
Liza is a Medical Herbalist and Holistic Nutritionist deeply committed to expanding her knowledge about all things plant-related.
Brandon has been studying nature, agriculture, and culture for more than 20 years and is co-founder of The Blue Raven Farm.
Kym Chi is a chartered herbalist with extensive training and experience in permaculture.
Shima Hashemian is a Medical Herbalist and the co-founder of Heartsease Herbs.
Julie Parrell is a Queer Indigenous Holistic Nutritionist, Medicine Woman and Social Equity Facilitator.
Alla Guelber is a multidisciplinary educator and facilitator who teaches interpersonal skills and social permaculture.
Adrian has extensive experience implementing dozens of ecological design and build projects in Calgary and surrounding areas.
Curriculum
Below is a list of all courses included in the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma program. Please click on course links below to see more course information including descriptions and prerequisites.
Permaculture Design Literacy
Permaculture Ecological Literacy
Permaculture Foundational Concepts
Permaculture Pattern Literacy
Permaculture Workshop
Total Requirements
Learning Sites
This program is offered primarily at the college’s two herb farms: Tiny Tree Herb Farm (main campus) and Ravenhill Herb Farm. These farms are located on the beautiful and fertile Saanich Peninsula, about 25 minutes north of our downtown campus. Some classes may take place off-site or online.
Tiny Tree Herb Farm is located near the coastal community of Brentwood Bay overlooking the Malahat. This 6-acre farm organically grows a variety of food, along with medicinal and culinary herbs, trees and mushrooms. The rich soil, spring-fed water and ample sun exposure makes it a beautiful place to grow.
Ravenhill Herb Farm is a locally-run farm overlooking the Saanich Inlet of the Salish Sea. This 10-acre west coast oasis grows food, medicinal herbs, and culinary herbs, all organically, for the community and is dedicated to sharing knowledge of sustainable living and permaculture practices. The farm also is home to many happy animals including goats, livestock guardian dogs, and chickens.
Admissions
Pacific Rim College is committed to educating the highest quality industry professionals, and we offer priority acceptance to applicants who demonstrate the highest potential for success. Admission into the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma program at Pacific Rim College is on a competitive basis, and applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, humanitarian activities, community involvement, program-related experience, communication skills, professionalism, emotional maturity, independence, ambition, and passion.
Admission requires successfully meeting the following minimum criteria:
- A high school diploma or equivalency test
- Minimum of 60% in related language and science studies
- Written and spoken English language competency (applicants may be requested to submit an official score report from an English proficiency exam such as TOEFL or IELTS)
To apply, please click on the link below.
We do not have a set deadline for applications and will continue to accept students up until the start of classes, provided there is space within the program. Typically, this program fills prior to the semester start, so we recommend applying 6 months in advance.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Program are broken down as follows:
– A $250 non-refundable registration fee (tuition adjusted in final semester) and a signed student contract is required for acceptance into this program.
– Tuition for the first semester is $4825. The second and third semesters are $2412.50 each. Payment is due 15 days prior to the published start date of each semester.
– A $100 program supply fee is due with each semester’s tuition payment.
Please click here for a description of Academic Fees in PDF format.
Financial Aid
This program is approved for Canada Student Loans. British Columbia residents can apply for student loans online through StudentAid BC. For non-British Columbia residents, please visit hrsdc.gc.ca for information about Canada Student Loans.
For a list of all financial aid programs available to PRC students, please visit our Financial Aid page.
Post-Graduation
Graduates of the Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems Diploma program will have the distinction of having completed an unprecedented program. They will be confident leaders in the field of Permaculture and can seek employment as Permaculture consultants and designers, greenhouse/nursery managers, horticulturists, sustainable farmers, natural building apprentices, and sustainable community developers.
