FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mona Lewis, 406.222.9999, mona@paradisepermaculture.org
Paradise Permaculture Institute Launches
Paradise Transition Gardens
LIVINGSTON, MT (June 8, 2015) – Paradise Permaculture Institute (PPI) is pleased to announce the beginning of Paradise Transition Gardens, a new endeavor to help transform yards into sustainable gardens. Local homeowners desiring to move from high-maintenance traditional sod (and weeds) to a bountiful growing space that naturally builds soil and conserves water can partner with PPI for onsite learning on their property to implement a transition garden. The first Paradise Transition Gardens workshop, a Phase-One class, takes place Wednesday, June 10, from 5-9pm at a local residence. A second, one-day backyard transformation workshop, “Weeds to Garden in a Day,” is scheduled at a second property on Saturday, June 27, from 9am-5pm.
Paradise Transition Gardens workshops will continue throughout the season, coordinated by Mona Lewis, PPI founder, along with PPI board members. At each location, class participants gain hands-on knowledge in water conservation, soil building, weed reduction, and growing edible and other beneficial plants. Permaculture techniques demonstrated include water harvesting and conservation, composting, Hugelkultur, and site-suitable plantings such as herb and vegetable gardens, rain gardens, food forests, and fruit tree guilds.
Each Paradise Transition Garden begins with a site assessment in partnership with the homeowner to determine the goals for the property and the resources that are available or can be brought to the project. “Often,” according to Lewis, “it starts with a neglected or underused yard that a property owner envisions as a more productive, beautiful space.
“Rather than hire a landscaping firm to install a new lawn and ornamental shrubs, for instance,” she continues, “the property owners who approach us are generally DIYers – or they would like to be if they had the knowledge. They desire to participate in the process of transforming their yards and gain the skills to sustain them as healthy eco-systems. We are thrilled to share our knowledge to bring about these wonderful transitions.”
PPI, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, was formed in 2013 to demonstrate how to work with nature to co-create abundant foodscapes and sacred spaces. Board members include Mona Lewis, PPI president and certified Permaculture Design consultant and instructor; Beverly Axelsen, herb and medicinal plant specialist; Michele Evans, Montana master gardener and bio-intensive farmer; Adele Field, writer and community garden practitioner; Rebecca Owens, strategic coordinator and LEED AP; and Zachary Weiss, founder of Perpetual Green Gardens and certified Permaculture Design consultant and instructor.
Class fees, including handouts, are $30 for the Phase I class on June 10 and $60 for the one-day “Weeds to Garden in a Day” class on June 27. An Herbal Medicine class taught by Beverly Axelsen will be held Thursday, June 11, 6-9pm. ($24). Bev will also conduct a Medicinal Plant Walk Saturday, June 13, 9am-12noon ($20 or $100-series). Please call for the Livingston location of each class. To register, or for more information about all PPI classes, or becoming a Paradise Transition Gardens site, please visit www.paradisepermaculture.org, call (406) 222-9999, or email mona@paradisepermaculture.org.
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