Ecological Design & Permaculture

With Dani Slabaugh

Regenerative Ecological Design & Permaculture: Tools to heal land and communities

Want to tear out your lawn and ditch the chemicals? Start an urban homestead? Build a more resilient and connected community of neighbors? This course introduces the core principles of permaculture, guiding you on how to create sustainable systems that build soil, conserve water, and grow food. We’ll explore how to transform a yard or community space into a resilient, low-maintenance ecosystem. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Applying the three ethics and twelve principles of permaculture design

  • Understanding Denver’s unique ecological context

  • Practical techniques for building healthy, living soil

  • Strategies for regenerative water management (rainwater harvesting, greywater)

  • Fundamentals of tree care and guild planting

  • How to conduct a basic site analysis for your own space

  • Practical steps and resources for starting an ecological garden

Class Outline:

  1. Introduction to Permaculture: Core ethics, principles, and an overview of ecological design

  2. Designing with Nature: Understanding local ecology (Denver focus), site observation, and working with natural patterns

  3. Key Systems & Strategies: In-depth look at building soil health, managing water, and selecting plants

  4. Practical Application & Wrap-Up: Steps for starting your project, resource sharing, and Q&A

Other Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

  • Class Capacity: 12 maximum, 5 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 13+. Guardian required if under 18 (info)

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Private Class Available?: Yes (info)

  • Financial Assistance Available? Yes (info)

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: None.

About the Teacher

Dani (they/them or she/her) holds a masters in Landscape Architecture and a PhD in Urban Planning and Design, and has completed a 72 hour Permaculture Design Course. They have worked on social and ecological regeneration efforts with a leading watershed restoration design/build firm, state agencies, academic institutions, and as a design/build contractor for close to a decade. By incorporating aspects of systems thinking, community organizing, critical studies, and permaculture into their personal and professional work Dani works toward bringing about a just and regenerative world. You can learn more about Dani's work here: https://danimarieportfolio.wordpress.com/