Vancouver 2024 Permaculture Design Certification Course

Presented by Burnaby Community and Continuing Education
with Interconnected Living & Permaculture Design

 

Gather with likeminded people to learn about how nature designs itself and how we can become sustainable designers ourselves. Learn how to map and design land and life, plan for emergencies, grow organic food in all four seasons and work to build a more regenerative future. 

The course empowers participants as permaculture designers, consultants and teachers. Graduates will be able to use the word ‘Permaculture’ legally in their practice, business or project. This eco-training certificate is a practical path for greening your life, resume and portfolio. Working toward certification is not a requirement.  It’s a fun and practical way to journey together in an experiential, outdoor adventure in education. 

Taught by a dynamic female - male facilitation team, this class caters to anyone wanting to learn regenerative design in a creative way while engaging with working systems. It is a flexible course with an ideal weekend class schedule. Catering to the busyness of modern life, if you miss a class, you can jump in on the same module in a future class at no extra cost (through the instructors) and there is no time limit to complete the certification. One on one make up classes are also available at a nominal fee. 

Course Topics include design methods, patterns in nature, soils and composting, water, trees, animals, design for cool/tropical/arid climates, social permaculture, native food and medicine plants of the Coastal First Peoples, and much more. There are information sheets, interactive tools, as well as exciting living sites as our classroom. Optional hands-on activities throughout the course include: design charrettes, earthworks demonstration, integrative games, compost building, soil testing, plant & tree identification, medicine making and homesteading. This course is the only of its kind with an exciting teaching tool kit that transforms lectures into games and travels to many different permaculture farms, gardens and forest locations. Apply your learnings to the focus project for the program which is to start a map and design for where you live or an area of your choice. 

Successful completion of this course offers graduates their choice of legitimate and formal certificate through Permaculture Institute (www.permaculture.org), Permaculture Association (www.permaculture.org.uk), Permaculture Research Institute (www.permaculturenews.org). 

For more information about this program, email the instructors at kym@interconnectedliving.com and delvin@permaculture.org 

To register, please visit: Burnaby Community and Continuing Education

 

 

Instructor Bios:

Kym Chi is of Scottish, English and German ancestry and gratefully settles on the West Coast of Turtle Island on the unceded and stolen lands of the Coast Salish Peoples. She is dedicated to the continued process of decolonizing herself and creating right relations with the land and people where she lives, works and visits.Kym is a dynamic, creative woman who homesteads, crafts herbal medicines, practices and teaches Permaculture and is the dean of the School of Permaculture Design at Pacific Rim college. She has received 3 certificates in Permaculture Design, completed multiple teacher trainings, taken a variety of advanced trainings and completed a Diploma in Permaculture Education. With a love of learning, she continues to take courses that grow her understanding of the natural world. Kym wishes to inspire creative self-expression and value centred living to enrich and create healthy, abundant habitats and communities. With a focus on Social Permaculture, she mentors others on their life path and focusses on ways to support organizations and communities to become more resilient.

Delvin Solkinson is a community gardener, student and teacher from British Columbia, Canada. He creates free learning and teaching tools, writes articles and makes videos. Completing a PDC, Diploma and Masters Degree with Bill Mollison, Delvin has also done 13 advanced courses and 13 teacher trainings with Permaculture Pioneers across the planet like David Holmgren, Robin Clayfield, Geoff Lawton and Robyn Francis. Life long learning includes a PDC with Rosemary Morrow in Greece, with Toby Hemenway in Portland as well as a second Diploma through the Permaculture Institute. Over five years he did an experimental Doctoral Degree with mentorship of Larry Santoyo. Serving as a Field Mentor through the Permaculture Institute, Diploma Tutor with Permaculture Association and an accredited teacher through the Permaculture Research Institute, Delvin continues to learn and to teach. Extensive learning with Looby Macnamara included numerous courses and a third Diploma through Permaculture Association. They have co-facilitated the CEED course and currently co-facilitate a Group Diploma Adventure for people perusing Permaculture Design Diplomas.  Currently Delvin serves as the Diploma Program Co-ordinator for the Permaculture Institute, supporting peoples learning journeys with permaculture. He pursues a Post-Doc in Permaculture Education through the Permaculture Academy along with Diploma Tutor training and Continuing Professional Development through the Permaculture Association. Delvin lives in the Elphinstone Rainforest and teaches at Pacific Rim College.

Please click here for a full program syllabus.

 

Curious, but not sure if you would like to join us yet?

Connect with Kym Chi for an information call. Email kym@interconnectedliving.com to set something up.

 

Testimonials from past program participants:

"I really enjoyed the open, generous atmosphere on learning days. The multi-faceted focus for each day having various activities which activated core principles or design elements worked really well. I enjoyed the balance between outside and inside time. Your love and commitment to Permaculture shines brightly!"  - Larry Popowich

“I am constantly amazed at how much i have learned about everything. I feel I should have already known how it changed my perspective on my gardens, my life, family, nature, the world… I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to open their mind to a beautiful concept or simply broaden their knowledge of what our future will be made of, at least i hope. I do love how it is easy to weave into our own personal busy lives over 4 seasons of observation. It allows us the time to evolve, change, learn, try, fail, succeed and repeat.  Thank you for sharing your love, passion and knowledge of something i had never heard of and will never forget. ”  - Marie-Eve B.

“Your teaching has changed the way I observe the world. Observing with curiosity rather than judgement. I recommend this course again and again beacuase of the multi faceted teaching style and the dynamic changing venues and continual student involvement and gentle challenges.” - Maureen Witney

“I would recommend this course to any friend interested and committed to leaving this world a better place.”    - Sally Holden

"Three years of University and a debt I'm still paying off today and I learnt more about the real world on this course than during that whole time. The majority of my posts, blogs and pub rants have been influenced by this philosophy. If you are interested in the natural world, sustainability, healthy living or just think the current way we do things in society is a little strange I'd recommend checking out Permaculture in some way or another" - Josh Davis www.thechangeiwanttosee.com

 "Delvin and Kym are amazing, talented and incredibly honouring and delightful people. Our world is safe and more alive and caring in their hands, thanks to their presence, creativity and commitment." - Robin Clayfield

“If you feel any inclination to take this course, I encourage you to do it.  Do it now.  Kym and Delvin have the ability to meet you where you are and guide you with active and inspirational instruction. Harness the information and apply it personally to your business and to your garden no matter the size. Start now.”  - Craig H.

“By the law of attraction , i entered the Permaculture Design Certificate Program.  I am very grateful for Delvin and Kym on this journey, both are very professional and responsible”.  - Jenny Smith

“I really like this course and how Delvin, Kym and my classmates were greatly responsive of my needs as a differently abled person.  I am going to carry what i have learned in this course throughout my life.” -  Myah Catherine

"The instructors, Delvin and Kym, provide an excellent introduction to the ethics, principles, and techniques of Permaculture. The instruction is more than I could have hoped for.  Between the curriculum, and personal experiences of the instructors, the course offers a brilliant education and a profound experience." - Steven Funk

"Continuing education in permaculture studies, with the amazing teachers Devlin Solkinson and Kym Chi in Vancouver BC. I'm deeply inspired by the course that I'm in with them now, and highly recommend this to anyone interested in next level Earth stewardship gardening." - Bob M

“This program was fantastic!  Delvin and Kym created a welcoming learning environment , encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and enabled me to grasp and learn the Permaculture ethics and principles in a way that was conducive to my learning style. I’ve left this program with the confidence and knowledge to further pursue my education and career in Permaculture. I have and will continue to recommend this program to others who are interested in Permaculture and look forward to the opportunity to learn with Delvin and Kym again.”  Matt Gravel @ Plant Buoy:LPP, Victoria , BC

“Kym shares so much knowledge and heart in this PDC, It is impossible not to fall for Permaculture. I found so many ways to integrate Permaculture into my life on a small scale immediately, and plan and dream of Permaculture possibilities for the future. I am eternally grateful” - Paige Inglis

“Kym is a very gifted teacher and facilitator who brings a huge amount of knowledge, skill and experience and mixes in a great dose of love and laughs to the course an amazing experience.” - Donna M

“Kym Chi provided us with an awesome learning experience - teaching us foundational concepts, design principles of Permaculture that we can now use to create a beautiful, productive sustainable life and world. - Margaret R.

“This program goes far beyond simply designing an organic and sustainable landscape.  Learning about plant allies, regeneration of the land and building earth- loving social structures is the keystone of an integrated life centred on the principles of Permaculture.  Kym Chi is an energetic & passionate steward for the earth and supports rounded learning. “ - Stephanie W

“An excellent course for anyone new or experienced in Permaculture to gain further in depth knowledge and experience. Kym is a beautiful facilitator with a warm heart and so much knowledge to share” - Doug

“This course was quite challenging for me since my English is limited. However, I am glad I took this course.  Every topic was eye opening for me, Permaculture is not just about agriculture, it is about making a sustainable lifestyle.”  - Satomi S.

“This has been one of the most enjoyable and informative programs I have been a part of.  What I learned will serve me well and guide me in better serving others and the earth.  I am grateful for the teachings and for the community it introduced me to.  Thank you. - Kathy Duncan

“The Permaculture course opened my eyes to how everything is connected and how we all must work together as a community to care for the earth, the people and the future.  Kym Chi is a wonderful, passionate teacher who loves and lives what she teaches.  She is gentle, yet spicy and keeps the class momentum going strong” - anonymous

“Learning with Kym as a facilitator was one of the most creative, fun, professional and profound experiences.  She planted the seed of Permaculture in me and I can’t wait to let it grow.  - Elke H.

“I loved the variety of visual aids, cards, medicine making and visiting diverse landscapes with examples of systems. So many inspiring moments and learnings.  This was a perfect format to delve in and understand how to overcome my own fears and limitations to find solutions everywhere.   - Alison R

"This course was a creative, interactive journey that covered a broad range of topics and experiences. From Medicine making to collective games, nature walks and potlucks, the course content is delivered in ways that meet all learning styles. A great experience overall. Thank you!"   - Danielle Gauthier

“An inspirational journey of an Introduction to Permaculture, wetting the palette to want to dive deeper. Great foundation for self growth and tools to engage community, influence work and relationships”. -Sybrena Albright

“The course is a refreshing break from everyday life.  A chance to reflect and inspired about how we can be better.” - Karen Cameron

"This course was so well organized. You inspired me to alter my teaching methods to help keep everyone focussed, energized and thoughtful.  I really didnt want the process to end. I really enjoyed the field trips, physically visiting so many permaculture sites and the classroom environment was good also."  - Josephine J