While these may sound like rather broad ethical stances, their
application can be quite specific and the ability of a design
to accomplish them may be examined. Care means that we treat the
earth's creatures, plants and materials with respect. We realize
that each has its place in the larger scheme of nature and that
our use of it is temporary and privileged. Care means that we
approach people with mindfulness and humility to appreciate our
mutual humanity. Sharing means that we place access to things
in excess of our needs in the service of others. We understand
that the fortunes of self and community are two sides of the same
coin -- that each of us has talents, energies and resources to
be shared and needs to be met by others.
In addition to our general commitment to the permaculture ethic,
we may wish to further define our interests and concerns and place
our personal philosophy on record. This further articulation will
help us, our clients and associates to better understand our conceptual
stance and make it easier for us to live and work together.
For example: Where is Dan coming from?
I am committed to a landscape of acceptance rather than that of
control.
The landscape of acceptance embraces natural forces and elements
and attempts to work with and enhance them to support human life
in harmony with the earth. This acceptance has its roots in organic
gardening and sustainable agriculture and embodies principles
that are uncommon to the controlled landscape. Such terms as sustenance,
nurture, recycle, restoration, regeneration and succession come
to mind. There are no weeds or pests in this landscape; each organism
has its time and place. The form of the landscape is not fixed;
it evolves through succession over time but it does not necessarily
return to primal nature. It is a garden of selection following
a path of highest long term yield for lowest expenditure of energy.
I am accepting much landscape that people have been trained to
view as unacceptable -- landscapes of succession. The 'acceptable'
landscapes, those kept forever in infancy, such as mowed turf
and trimmed shrubbery, are highly valued. Mature forested landscapes
are also praised. However, the landscape of the roadside, the
regenerating field, the local ditch, the evolving landscape, are
viewed as nuisances; they are chopped and sprayed to oblivion.
Much civic effort goes into insuring that vacant lots and roadsides
are mowed and that other such 'unsightly' areas are 'beautified.'
Yet, it is these youthful, diverse landscapes that, given guidance,
have the vitality to be highly productive and interesting, even
aesthetically pleasing.
I am not just letting everything grow wild to find its own level.
This is a landscape of partnership between man and the land. Nature
produces -- man selects. It embodies such practices as planting
with a high level of use of plants that produce food; use of native
plant species; use of chipping and composting of removed materials;
runoff and water management; successional set asides for land
not in active production; absence of use of chemical fertilizers,
herbicides and pesticides; recycling of materials often lost to
landfills; low to zero mowing; zero tolerance for erosion; keeping
dead and rotting trees for wildlife use and so on. While these
principles have been proclaimed for many years by organic gardeners
and permaculturists they have not been readily incorporated into
the practice of landscape architecture. It is my personal challenge
to practice in accordance with these beliefs.