Lindsey White

Seventeen passionate nature lovers have converged as one to join the Eco- village and Permaculture Certificate Program at Lost Valley Educational Center from June 23-August 13 in Dexter, OR. From New York to Iowa City, to L.A., and Eugene, people with a depth of reverence towards nature form a unique learning community for the summer. The morning begins with a brass chime undulating up the meadow while the aroma of a wonderful bounty awaits the eco-pioneers in the outdoor classroom. You can see the sun rise through dew drops on golden grass. Song sparrows and black-capped chickadees sing their song to the morning. Laughter resonates with the rising light as the warmed earth releases her deep pungency from the pine forest floor. As people gather, the group becomes present to focus on the lessons of the day. An eco-revolutionary, Joshua Smith, sits before us, a man with a deep knowledge of Permaculture applications and principles. He inspires a true sense of urgency to restore the balance of natural systems which have been destroyed through improper resource use and the disregard of nature's systematic design processes and expertise. Meanwhile, the earth breathes and moves though this land in new and old rhythms. In this time of great change, Permaculture asks us to return to the inherent values of life: care of the earth and care of its people.