This weekend: Permaculture Convergence in Oakland

REGISTER HERE

Find out MORE info for days of

Driving Directions to Merritt Community College East Oakland
Landscape Horticulture Department (NOTE: Please do not get confused with Lake Merritt which is Downtown Oakland)
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619

Public Transport:

From SF at San Francisco Terminal, 1st & Mission St.
Take Ac Transbay Nl Line/Eastmont Transit Ctr at 7:05 am or 7:35 am)
Fare: Pay $3.75, Get Ac Transit Transfer
Get Off: Macarthur Blvd & 35th Av at 7:44 am
Then: Go to: S.E. Corner Of 35th Ave. & Macarthur Blvd.
Take: AC Transit Bus #54/Merritt College at 7:49 am (next bus at 8:49 am)
Fare: Show Transfer To Driver Get Off: Merritt College at 8:00 am go to Landscape Hort Department

From SF or East Bay get to Fruitvale BART station from there take Ac Transict Bus #54. Sunday Schedule is
http://transit.511.org/schedules/detail.asp?cid=AC&rte=20763&dir=E&day=4&dayid=4590&fst=0,&tst=0,&mode=h

Check here for Tentative Schedule (subject to further changes)

For ridesharing and other pre-planning communications join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barpc/
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Converging on the Edge
Bay Area Regional Permaculture Design Convergence

"In nature, there are no rigid borders, the edge is more a diffuse region of exchange, an interchange of elements and a net for new information, in the form of nutrients, seeds or cultural exchange. Edges are extremely important. They are the most productive areas in terms of species as well as actual physical production. At the edge of two ecosystems, species from both systems as well as special species adapted to the conditions of the edge are found." (Tippett 1993).

The edge is very important in terms of biodiversity and production of biomass. At the edge, there is an increased cycling of materials and information. There is a possibility for increased synergism, or mutually beneficial relationships between elements of a system. The edge is seen increasing possibilities for creativity, as it is the point for merging, change and new ideas.

What's it gonna be like? What's are we gonna do? Well.....

Our intention is to network, share and inspire each other. As well as to create and plan for our future as a community as part of the larger "sustainability" movement. We have located the convergence at the edge of the urban east bay. Constantly people are talking about the balance between urban/rural, or working to "make a living" and working as part of what's living. How is the present economy like an ecosystem? What niche do you fill? How can we participate in energy flows without diminishing them? How many cycles (and networks) are we urban-ites a part of and how do they overlap? What are the leverage points? How can we increase the connectivity and mutual benefit of all these? How can we ensure that every element of our systems are contributing to the betterment of the whole?

We'll explore these design questions and themes for the day in a variety of forms.

It's time for us to:
Plug into the local nodes of a global permaculture network.
Make new friends and catch up with old ones.
Meet potential employers, employees and partners.
Develop plans for localization in solidarity with permaculture work throughout the world.
Hear reports back from the Int'l Permaculture Convergence (not yet confirmed).
Listen to reknowned permaculture designers and related professionals speak.
Build upon our map of Bay Area Permaculture Projects.
Take a guided tour and hike through our Permaculture Student Garden, Lion’s Creek and the surrounding Oakland hills.
Give your feedback and ideas to others.
Share the surplus of ideas and love.
Dance and make music together.

DESIGN GALLERY: Display your own work for all to see, and sign up early for the opportunity to put many minds toward a design charette on YOUR PROJECT.

PERMATECH SWAP STATION: Load your flash-drive, cd’s or laptop with permaculture slideshows, photos, teaching tools, presentations, web resources, plant lists, etc. Come prepared to share and to receive from our wealth of resources

FREE MARKET and SEED EXCHANGE: Bring your surplus useful stuff, clothes, plants, and seeds to celebrate the abundance by giving freely.

SILENT AUCTION and RAFFLES: Cool stuff to purchase and win.

SOAPBOX LOTTERY - enter to get your 15 minutes of fame and speak your peace! Put your inspirations behind a bullhorn, share your latest visions, pitch your pet permie project or sing us some songs!

Please bring a potluck dish (enough to feed 10-20 people) for lunch and an old personal plate, utensil and cup to use and leave behind as a donation for our coomunity pantry!

Sunday continental breakfast and dinner are included.

This Convergence is designed for and by Certified Permaculture Designers and those engaged in living the Permaculture lifestyle. Welcome!!!!! Please join in and make this convergence what you woudl like it to be.

Please register asap so we can plan for food and event logistics.

If you'd like to volunteer in the pre-planning and on the day of plese contact convergence [at] urbanpermacultureguild.org

Thanks!

~BARPC 2007 Planning Team