PERMACULTURE DEFINED:
Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people providing their food, energy, shelter, and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Permaculture design is a system of assembling conceptual, material, and strategic components in a pattern which functions to benefit life in all its forms.
“Permaculture is a design system that reconciles human communities with the ecological imperatives of a living planet.”
Ben Haggard
Here are number of links to organizations that offer Permaculture Design Courses and other ecological awareness education and training.