The 2015 Northwest Permaculture Convergence will take place August 28, 29 and 30 at the River Road Neighborhood Park District Recreation Center, 3 miles northwest of downtown, Eugene, Oregon.

Each year, the Regional Permaculture Convergence alternates between Oregon and Washington State. The Convergence features panels and presentations, networking and fun. There will be site tours, panels and presentations, plenary sessions, a kid zone, Green Neighborhood Summit, a Saturday educational Expo and more.

The Convergence is a unique opportunity to share what we are learning to reduce our environmental footprints, build resilient communities and take care of more needs closer to home.

Who Will Be Interested

People into – green lifestyles, resilient neighborhoods, organic gardening, permaculture, reducing our eco footprints, solar design, green business, rural resilience, social cohesion, DIY, mutual assistance with friends and neighbors, fun, alternative culture and economy, peaceful and healthy world, local food systems and the suburban frontier. To name only a few.

Over the years, the Convergence has been held in a variety of locations, urban and rural. This will be the first time the Convergence will be in a suburban neighborhood. Many out of town participants will be accommodated in the neighborhood with back yard camping and home stays.

Within a fifteen minute bike ride of the Rec Center, there are numerous home permaculture projects with more in Eugene. Tours on Friday will visit sites featuring front yard gardens, rain water systems, green building, solar design, edible landscaping, accessory buildings, community filbert grove, reclaiming automobile space, collaborations between neighbors such as cooperative projects, fences down and shared properties.

River Road is also developing a green culture at the same time it increases on the ground green infrastructure. Many neighbors are working together in mutual interest such as taking fences down, educational initiatives, social occasions and property sharing. Dharmalaya Center and Suburban Permaculture are core parts of the River Road permaculture zone with outreach to the broader community. Its the very early going but River Road provides an early preview for what suburbia can become.

There are many more sites to visit in Eugene such as East Blair Housing Co-op, Maitreya Eco Village, Duma Co-op, Common Ground Garden, home scale permaculture, green businesses and much more. Important permaculture learning centers near Eugene; Lost Valley, Fern Hill Sanctuary and Aprovecho will also be hosting tours

What To Expect

The Convergence will include plenary sessions, presentations, panels and break out groups that will touch on many realms of interest, urban and rural. We want to show and tell examples of culture and economy that provide a preview of a far more peaceful and green future. Key words – home economics, greening neighborhoods, faith communities go green, youth education, co-ops regional food systems, allies and assets, “green preparedness” and more.

An educational Expo is also planned which will include informative local non profits, Kid Zone, green businesses, and Skill Share. The site tours on Friday and Saturday Expo will be free and open to the public. Indoor panels, presentations, Saturday party and dining will be by modest admission. Residents of River Road who live in the county will receive reduced admission.

Out of town participants will be encouraged to bring bikes, car pool, take the bus or train to minimize cars in the neighborhood. River Road is transportation friendly with the Rec Center served by city bus. An Amtrak station downtown is three miles away with a beautiful bike path from town to within ten minutes of the Rec Center. Accommodation is separate from Convergence registration, check FAQ on the Convergence website.

Updates

Please check back to the Convergence website in coming weeks for program updates, volunteer information, registration, proposing a presentation and more. www.northwestpermaculture.org

Mark your calendars, August 18, 29, 30. The 2015 North West Permaculture Convergence will be a memorable experience!