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 Observe & interact Applied to Brook Farm Animal Sanctuary Observation stage included site survey, additional research, design questionnaire and general observations as well as the sector analysis and other pre-planning information gathered. Rainwater harvesting infrastructure will support the capture of rainwater. A swale system will catch & store water 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. 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 smallscale firewood production. Personal yields for volunteers and visitors. Monitor garden for seasonal trends and which plants do better than others, may indicate long term trends. Continuous process of review and re-design. Water butts, bees & pollinating insects, worms, beneficial pest predators, compost materials, reclaimed building materials, ground cover and soil protection. Optimising use of animal manure in system. Compost any removed plant material. Re-use any appropriate materials available from the system during development e.g. soil from wetland excavation. Sector analysis. Rotational grazing. Water movement. Areas are linked with paths & waste systems enable multifunctioning outputs and inputs. See implementation plan. Trees, fruit, herbs and flowers are all from a range of families, genus, species and varieties, which will increase pest resistance as well as give enhanced biodiversity. The borders of the land are optimised in diversity with multifunctional hedges. The pond will be designed with maximum edge. 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. As new animals arrive at the sanctuary, re-design and adaptation will be necessary.

Catch & Store Energy

Obtain a Yield

Apply self-regulation & Accept Feedback Use & Value Renewable Resources & Services Produce no Waste Design from Patterns to Details Integrate Rather than Segregate Use Small & Slow Solutions Use & Value Diversity Use Edges & Value the Marginal Creatively Use & Respond to Change