Permaculture

by Hunter Byrd

Permaculture can be described as agriculture produced through ecological design and resource sustainability and management.

Lately, I've been trying to dig more into this unique method of gardening and crop production and the lifestyle that follows.  This field is typically geared towards environmental and naturalists looking to provide for themselves, their families, and sometimes even their communities food and natural materials without leaving an ecological footprint.  

Permaculture has become a "thing" more so in European countries than most other places, but can also be applied in the tropics.  In fact, I believe this method of agriculture would benefit developing nations significantly greater than monocultural practices, such as palm oil plantations.  It allows communities to work together to produce the goods they need in order to sustain themselves.  While one family focuses on producing one crop, another family can grow another for the community and so on.  

Photo from Google Images

Though most individuals who practice permaculture grow primarily fruits and vegetables, poultry; swine; and other livestock can also be utilized.  Fish can also be grown in local ponds to produce a source of protein.  

My concern with permaculture is that I believe it can promote endangered species conservation while benefiting humanity.  I'm sure this has been discussed before and even applied, but how effective is it or could it be across a range of different species?  We know it can benefit pollinators such as bees and bats, but what about mega-fauna, particularly apex predators?   

Photo from Google Image

Photo from Google Image

Deep down, I believe that within this field there is a lot more that we can learn from and apply in order to make a greater impact in our world, one step at a time.