Permaculture Design Certificate

Forest Gardens, in collaboration with Sylva Culture Commons, hosts the 5th annual Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course on Salt Spring Island.

Education

From August 16–28, 2026, join us on Salt Spring Island for an immersive, off-grid Permaculture learning experience rooted in regenerative living, homesteading, and community resilience.

This glamping-style retreat blends hands-on learning, nature immersion, and practical design skills to help you build a more abundant, self-sufficient, and life-serving future — with a special emphasis on homesteading and regenerative agriculture in the Pacific Northwest.

Wake up surrounded by forest, share nourishing meals in community, and learn directly through living systems on the land. Together we'll explore the interconnected systems needed to thrive harmoniously on this planet.

  • What ~ 75 hours of in-person learning to earn an internationally accredited Permaculture Design Certificate

  • When ~ August 16 - 28, 2026

  • Where ~ Forest Gardens, Mt Tuam, Salt Spring Island, BC

  • Investment ~ $1,200 - $1,500 CAD, sliding scale

  • Scholarships ~ Available for BIPOC

Reserve Your Spot

  • Food forests and regenerative growing systems

  • Water harvesting and stewardship

  • Natural building and ecological infrastructure

  • Renewable energy and off-grid living

  • Soil regeneration and ecosystem restoration

  • Community design and resilient local economies

  • Practical homesteading skills for everyday life

Course Topics

Course Details

Based on observation and emulation of natural patterns and ecological systems, Permaculture Design integrates the physical, temporal and social elements of life into a synergistic relationship between humans and the ecosystem.

By consciously designing human settlements to have the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems, Permaculture Design offers us the tools to live a healthy life that supports future generations and the planet.

What is Permaculture Design?

  • Do you long for a lifestyle that feels more grounded, meaningful, resilient, and connected?

  • Do you want practical tools for living closer to the land, but feel overwhelmed by where to begin?

  • Are you curious about off-grid living, food sovereignty, ecological design, and systems that truly support life?

  • Do you want to learn alongside others who care deeply about regeneration, community, and Earth’s future?

  • If you are nodding yes, then come join us in the forest — we invite you to join us in exploring Permaculture Design — a global movement dedicated to creating thriving human habitats that work in harmony with nature.

Is this for you?

  • A practical understanding of Permaculture ethics, design principles, and techniques.

  • The ability to read a landscape and recognize the patterns, processes, and systems that make up the natural world.

  • Tools for integrating human systems harmoniously with the natural world.

  • A deeper sense of connection to nature and your place within it.

  • The confidence and motivation to create positive change in your life and community.

  • Experiential learning that engages your head, heart & hands.

  • A range of learning formats, including hands-on projects, multimedia presentations, lectures & discussion, individual and group work, and field trips.

  • A fun, supportive, and respectful learning community

  • In-depth design practice woven throughout, applied to a project or site of your choosing.

  • The option to live on the farm for the duration of the course.

Learning Outcomes

Course Offerings

Course Topics

Curriculum

Foundations & Principles

Introduction To Permaculture Design

Permaculture Ethics

Permaculture Principles

Principles of Ecology

Analysis & Design Methods

Observations & Pattern Language

Reading the Landscape

The Keyline Scale of Permanence

Permaculture Design Methods

Physical Systems

  • Climate & Microclimate

  • Water

  • Access & Fencing

  • Growing Plants

  • Raising Animals

  • Energy & Appropriate Technology

  • The Built Environment

  • Soil Chemistry, Biology & Restoration

  • Waste & Bioremediation

Social Systems

Home, Urban & Broadscale Design

Economics

The Keyline Scale of Permanence

Implementation, Maintenance, Evaluation

About the Facilitators

Faculty

Nick Jones

  • Nick's aspirations are to help lay the foundation for future generations to thrive on earth. His core focuses are spiritual growth, community building and regenerative agriculture. Co-creating a homestead and farm, teaching Permaculture Design, and collaborating with the community to build a healthy culture, are how Nick stands against the injustices of colonization & the insanity of infinite growth on a finite planet.

    Yearning for the skills and knowledge to be able to live in harmony with nature, Nick completed his first Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) in 2012 in the Kootenays.  Inspired to learn more he embarked on a pilgrimage to practice with farms and communities. This journey culminated in 2015 with an apprenticeship in Regenerative Agriculture where Nick completed his second PDC.

    In 2016 Nick and his family moved into the forests of Mt. Tuam (Tsu-ween) on Salt Spring Island (Chu'an, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Hul'qumi'num and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples) to create a homestead and farm. This ongoing collaboration invites a space of conservation, teaching, and living in balance with the Earth.

    A decade of learning from the land and community has taught Nick that he needs to stay humble and ask questions. To balance the hands-on education of off-grid living and farming, Nick began a Diploma in Permaculture Design through the Permaculture Institute in 2017. Under the guidance of his friend and mentor Delvin Solkinson, Nick completed the Diploma in 2021 with a specialization in Education and Site Development. Nick completed a Permaculture Teacher Training Course in 2021, and taught his first Permaculture Design Certificate that summer. He recently completed a second Permaculture Teacher Training Course at OUR Ecovillage, Through the Permaculture Institute of North America.

    A lifetime's long practitioner of Buddhism, Nick tries to balance his quest for world harmonization by spending time with his family and newborn baby son.

Additional facilitators being announced soon…

Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course

This is more than a classroom course — it is a lived experience in regenerative culture. Through camping/glamping accommodations, shared meals, land-based practice, and immersive learning, participants will experience what it feels like to step outside the pressures of modern life and reconnect with the rhythms of nature and community.

  • What ~ 75 hours of in-person learning to earn an internationally accredited Permaculture Design Certificate

  • When ~ August 16 - 28, 2026

  • Where ~ Forest Gardens, Mt Tuam, Salt Spring Island, BC

  • Investment ~ $1,200 - $1,500 CAD, sliding scale

  • Scholarships ~ Available for BIPOC

Register

Words from Past Participants

Testimonials

  • “Nick is an amazing teacher, his knowledge of permaculture and practical application made for very interesting classes. I loved the diversity of participants and instructors and looked forward to taking my learning from each week and seeing how I could apply them to my own property. If you are interested in attaining your Permaculture Design Certificate I would highly recommend taking it with Nick."

    ~ Jennie Sparkes

  • "I can't recommend Nick's Permaculture Design Course enough. He served my classmates and myself beautifully in his ability to convey information, share his experienced perspective and hold space for everyone in a kind and respectful manner. The curriculum was engaging and inspiring, as well as seamlessly applicable to one's own projects and ambitions."

    ~ Will Houser

  • "The Permaculture Design Course was such a rewarding and enriching experience. Nick is an incredible teacher that truly has a passion to share his wealth of knowledge with the world. Not only did I learn what permaculture was but how to use it as a process for almost anything in life! I now have confidence in land assessment, management and usage. By the end of the course I had the skills needed to come up with integrated, sustainable designs. The course material is yours to keep and has become a valuable resource that I will continue to reference for years to come. Nick's style of teaching is refreshing and has a sense of breathability to it that fostered open discussion and student self discovery. Each week included hands on activities, practical skill building and on the land demonstrations. Not only are the topics covered vast and very detailed but the course was structured in such a way that really brought the students together, forming a sense of connection. The course exceeded my expectations and was worth it beyond measure."

    ~ Tyler

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register.

Register

The Course

  • A PDC is the globally recognised entry-level qualification in permaculture, based on the 72-hour curriculum developed by Bill Mollison. On completing the course you'll receive a certificate recognised by the permaculture community worldwide.

  • Absolutely. The PDC is designed as an introduction and welcomes complete beginners alongside gardeners, farmers, and designers looking to deepen their practice. No prior knowledge or experience is required.

  • Yes — this is one of the most common reasons people take the course. The design methods and principles you'll learn are universal and scale from a small backyard to a large farm. Your final design project can be based on your own land or a project you're working on, making the learning immediately practical.

  • We keep cohorts small — between 10 and 20 participants — to ensure everyone gets meaningful time with the instructors, a strong sense of community, and a rich group learning experience.

  • Roughly half the course takes place indoors through lectures, discussion, and design work — held in the finished loft of our workshop — while the other half is spent out on the farm through hands-on practicals: composting, planting, sheet mulching, water harvesting earthworks, and working with the farm's existing systems. The balance shifts as the course progresses and more time goes into your design project.

  • Yes — we run rain or shine. We vary our activities and learning formats to work with whatever the weather brings.

  • Yes. Throughout the course you'll work on small group exercises and site observations, and in the final days you'll complete an individual design project — either for the farm or a site of your own choosing — and present it to the group.

The Certificate

  • Successful participants receive an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate issued through the Permaculture Institute, a globally respected leader in the Permaculture movement.

  • To earn your certificate you need to complete your design project and presentation, and actively participate in at least 90% of the course — which works out to a maximum of roughly one missed day across the 12 days of class. If you anticipate any scheduling conflicts, let us know early and we'll do our best to support you.

  • Yes. All participants receive a printed folder of course handouts included in the course fee, along with a curated reading list and access to digital resources to continue your learning after the course ends.

  • Yes. Graduates are welcomed into our alumni network — an online community where past participants share projects, ask questions, and stay connected. We also host occasional alumni gatherings and work days on the farm throughout the year.

  • Yes. Many people join simply for the knowledge and experience, without needing the certificate for professional accreditation. You are welcome either way.

Daily Life & Accommodation

  • No two days look quite the same. Days are full — moving between morning and afternoon learning sessions, shared meals, and time connecting with nature and each other. There's a lot of material to cover and the number one piece of feedback we hear from people is that they wish the course was longer. Most evenings there's an optional class or activity hosted by instructors, participants, or members of the wider community. We also build in a full day off midway through the course — free time to rest or get out and explore Salt Spring Island.

  • We ask participants to arrive in the afternoon or evening on August 15th — time to settle in, meet the group, and be ready for a prompt start on day one. Departure is after breakfast on August 29th.

  • Participants are welcome to camp on the farm for the duration of the course. The camping area is well set up for a 14-night stay with access to all site amenities. We offer a range of camping options — from bringing your own gear to fully equipped tent setups with comfortable bedding. Van, RV, and trailer options are also available. Full details and pricing are shared after you register.

    For those who prefer to stay off-site, there are plenty of Airbnb and hotel options on Salt Spring Island.

  • Subject to availability, we're happy to arrange early arrival or extended stays — just get in touch and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

  • Salt Spring Island has plenty to explore on your day off or in the evenings — hiking trails, beaches, local restaurants, art galleries, and a vibrant community of artisans and makers.

  • Yes. The site has composting toilets, a propane hot water shower, and a washing machine with air-drying lines. A laundry schedule is posted so everyone gets access throughout the course.

  • Yes. The farm has clean water from our own well, which is filtered for drinking.

  • Yes — the farm has good cell service and Wi-Fi on site. That said, we encourage participants to limit phone and screen use during teaching hours to stay present with the group and the land.

  • It depends on current provincial fire restrictions. We monitor the BC Wildfire Service fire rating throughout the course and keep participants informed.

  • Meals are prepared by our trained chef and kitchen team and draw heavily from the farm's own harvests. Almost all food not grown on the farm is sourced organically. Food is vegetarian by default. A meal plan is available for an additional cost — full details are shared after you register.

  • Yes. We can accommodate vegan, gluten-free, and most allergen-related diets. Please let us know about any dietary needs when you register so we can plan accordingly. If you have a severe allergy, please let us know in advance so we can confirm we are able to meet your needs safely.

Fees & Registration

  • The full fee covers tuition and all course materials, including your printed design portfolio folder. Accommodation and meals are available at an additional cost depending on the options you choose. Full details are shared after you register.

  • Yes. A deposit of $150 CAD is required to secure your place, with the balance due one week before the course starts. Full details of our payment policy, including payment plan options, are shared after you register.

  • Yes. We offer flexible payment plans at no extra cost. Contact us after registering to set up a schedule that works for you.

    For those who prefer to stay off-site, there are plenty of Airbnb and hotel options on Salt Spring Island.

  • Yes. Tuition is offered on a sliding scale of $1,200–$1,500 CAD — pay what you can within that range based on your financial situation. Paying toward the higher end directly supports BIPOC scholarships, making the course accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to attend. A limited number of full scholarships are available for BIPOC applicants — please reach out after registering to apply.

  • We have a clear cancellation and refund policy that covers deposit refunds, cancellations before and after the course starts, and transfers to future courses. In general, the further in advance you cancel the more you are refunded, and participants who need to leave mid-course are refunded based on how many days they attended. Full details are shared after you register.

  • Once we receive your registration we'll be in touch by email to walk you through the next steps. This includes arranging your deposit to secure your spot, discussing accommodation and meal plan options, and confirming any other details to make sure you're set up for a great experience.

Getting Here & Safety

  • The farm is located on Mt. Tuam on Salt Spring Island and is not accessible by public transit. If you are driving, parking is available on site. If you are arriving by ferry without a vehicle, we can arrange a ride from the terminal — just let us know your sailing time. Full directions are sent after you register.

  • You'll receive a full packing list after registering. Essentials include sturdy outdoor footwear, wet-weather gear, work clothes you don't mind getting muddy, a refillable water bottle, and a notebook.

  • Please do not attend if you are unwell. The farm is located on a mountain with sections of steep and rocky terrain, and normal farm risks apply — uneven ground, tools, and sun exposure. Safety briefings are conducted before all practical sessions, appropriate protective equipment is provided, and first aid is available on site at all times. Please disclose any relevant medical conditions after registering so we can ensure your safety and comfort.

  • A moderate level of fitness is helpful — you'll be spending time outdoors on uneven terrain, and some sessions involve digging or lifting. That said, the course is inclusive and you are always welcome to observe rather than participate in any physical task without it affecting your certification.

  • Participants are not required to help with farm maintenance, but there will be optional opportunities to pitch in throughout the course. We do ask everyone to help clean up after meals.

  • The farm is not wheelchair accessible, but we can accommodate participants with limited mobility. Please get in touch after registering to discuss your needs and we'll work with you to make the course as comfortable and accessible as possible.

  • The course is designed for adult participants and learning sessions are not open to partners or family members. That said, we are open to discussing whether they can stay on the farm separately during the course — just reach out after registering to explore your options.