7/30/2019 Applying Permaculture Principles to Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary

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Applying Permaculture Principles to Brook Farm Animal

Sanctuary

One of the co-founders of permaculture was an Australian ecologist called David Holmgren,who over time has developed 12 principles that can be applied in the design of sustainable

systems. Please see the appendix for how to find out more about these principles.

Permaculture Principle Applied to Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary

Observe & interact Observation stage included site survey, additional research,

design questionnaire and general observations as well as the

sector analysis and other pre-planning informationgathered.

Catch & Store Energy Rainwater harvesting infrastructure will support the

capture of rainwater. A swale system will catch & storewater on site and prevent run off. A biogas digester will

catch & store the energy in the manure and use it to heat

house. Solar panels will catch & store energy. Perennials &

trees are preferred for energy storage and can help capture

water & nutrients for the system.

Obtain a Yield Safety, food and shelter for animals. Vegan awareness.Water capture. Low maintenance edible flowers, perennials

and very select salad crops. Medicinal and culinary herbs.

Fruit bushes. Orchard. Willow & hazel coppice for small-

scale firewood production. Personal yields for volunteers

and visitors.

Apply self-regulation & Accept

Feedback

Monitor garden for seasonal trends and which plants do

better than others, may indicate long term trends.

Continuous process of review and re-design.

Use & Value RenewableResources & Services

Water butts, bees & pollinating insects, worms, beneficialpest predators, compost materials, reclaimed building

materials, ground cover and soil protection. Optimising use

of animal manure in system.

Produce no Waste Compost any removed plant material. Re-use any

appropriate materials available from the system duringdevelopment e.g. soil from wetland excavation.

Design from Patterns to

Details

Sector analysis. Rotational grazing. Water movement.

Integrate Rather thanSegregate

Areas are linked with paths & waste systems enable multi-functioning outputs and inputs.

Use Small & Slow Solutions See implementation plan.

Use & Value Diversity Trees, fruit, herbs and flowers are all from a range offamilies, genus, species and varieties, which will increase

pest resistance as well as give enhanced biodiversity.

Use Edges & Value the

Marginal

The borders of the land are optimised in diversity with

multifunctional hedges. The pond will be designed with

maximum edge.

Creatively Use & Respond to

Change

The implementation plan will need to be reviewed and

decisions on planting made if certain plants do not do as

well as expected. The design will undoubtedly grow &

develop over time and may inspire feedback for changes. Asnew animals arrive at the sanctuary, re-design and

adaptation will be necessary.