My NATURE Lab project aims to uncover the importance of permaculture in the Collard City Growers Gardens in Troy, NY. Permaculture revolves around 3 main principles: care for the planet; care for the people; and fair share. What is fair share? Fair share means taking in what one needs and giving away what one does not. For example, if you decide to grow fruit trees, you probably would not be able to finish all the fruit you harvest. As a result, you will have an unnecessary abundance of fruit. Therefore, you would give your surplus to the community and the earth for the benefit of many others. This is fair share. Another positive aspect of fair share is that giving to others in your community can create a special and strong bond among you and your community members. As well as creating new relationships, sharing with the earth will allow for the growth of more fruit trees in the future, leading to a bigger ecosystem, which eventually helps to heal and improve the earth. This system discloses the importance of fair share, one of the main ideas of permaculture. Because the exercise and knowledge of permaculture is impactful for the earth, community, and individuals, through my project I would like to spread the awareness of the value of permaculture among my peers and community members. 

 

During my internship at The Sanctuary of Independent Media, I am creating a NATURE Lab Permaculture Walk on the block of the Sanctuary. I would like to invite my school community from Emma Willard as well as community members from Troy to join me on a permaculture walk that would actively inform participants about the existing and ongoing permaculture ideas in the NATURE Lab community spaces, including Freedom Square, Collard City Growers garden and the L-lot. Participants will be able to see the world with a different perspective after being informed about permaculture being practiced in a local community; the main goal of this walk is to inform people that permaculture is everywhere and is the core of the connection between people and the ecosystem. 

 

Before the walk, I will offer participants seed bombs with an explanation of what seed bombs are and an introduction to all the different seed bombs we have to offer.  Everyone will have a chance to throw their seed bombs during the walk around the gardens. This hands-on activity will enable people to learn about permaculture by making personal decisions and also enhance the gardens. Moreover, I will bring bird food pine cones, packed with peanut butter and seeds and give everyone an opportunity to hang these pine cones on trees to attract and feed birds. During this activity, Kevin Bose, a local bird song specialist, will tell bird stories and educate participants about bird calls. Lastly, we will engage in a chicken workshop to learn about the underlying relationship between permaculture and chickens. My main goal through this permaculture walk is to spread the idea of sharing, protection, and thoughtfulness. I want to teach participants that a small act of permaculture, seemingly insignificant, can remarkably improve our environment, community and people.