If you are interested in permaculture, you may have heard of the 12 principles that guide this design philosophy and system. These principles are based on the observation and imitation of natural patterns and processes, and they aim to create sustainable and harmonious human settlements and agricultural systems.
One of the most important principles of permaculture is the first one: observe and connect. This principle encourages us to pay attention to the natural and social features of a site, and to interact with them in a way that supports their health and resilience.
In this blog post, we will explore why observing and connecting is important in permaculture, and how you can apply it in your own garden, farm, or community. We will also share some examples of observing and connecting in action, and some tips and resources to help you improve your observation skills.
What is Observe and Connect?
Observe and connect is the first principle of permaculture, as defined by David Holmgren, one of the co-founders of the permaculture movement. Holmgren states that:
Good design depends on a free and harmonious relationship between nature and people, in which careful observation and thoughtful interaction provide the design inspiration.
Observing and connecting means that we spend time on the site, noticing the details, patterns, and relationships that exist in the ecosystem. We also ask questions about how the ecosystem functions, and how we can support or enhance it.
It took a lot of time on the land, and analyzing satellite photography of the site to determine how the water behaves on the land.
Observing and connecting also means that we make small interventions, based on our observations, and then monitor the results. We learn from our successes and failures, and adjust our actions accordingly. We also learn from other people who have knowledge or experience about the site or the topic.
Observing and connecting is a continuous process of learning and adapting, that helps us to design a system that works with nature, not against it.
Why is Observe and Connect Important?
Observing and connecting is important for several reasons:
- It helps us to understand the natural and social patterns of a site, and how we can work with them, rather than against them.
- It helps us to avoid making assumptions or imposing our ideas on a site, without considering its unique characteristics and needs.
- It helps us to create a system that is sustainable, resilient, and harmonious, that meets our needs while respecting the needs of other living beings.
- It helps us to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature, and to develop a sense of connection and responsibility towards it.
Observing and connecting is not only important for permaculture design, but also for our personal well-being. By observing and connecting with nature, we can reduce stress, improve our mood, boost our creativity, enhance our health, and enrich our lives.
It was only possible to illustrate the natural zones of our site by spending time on the land with open senses and curiosity.
We came to understand the anatomy of the land by elevation, water behavior, proximities to destination points, plant life, and vistas.
By visually documenting what we observed in an intuitive way, it helped us to produce a variety of designs that take everything into account.
Here are a few examples of water system designs that we didn’t select:
We are pleased with the result of the final design choice shown in the illustration below that has reduced water running off the land by 99.9%, replenishing the water table, and providing wildlife with a source of water.
How to Observe and Connect?
Observing and connecting is not a difficult skill to learn, but it does require some time, patience, curiosity, and openness. Here are some steps you can follow to observe and connect with your site:
- Choose a site that you want to observe. It can be your backyard, your balcony, your neighborhood park, or any other place where you have access to nature.
- Spend some time on the site, preferably at different times of the day or year. Use all your senses to notice what is happening on the site. What do you see, hear, smell, touch, or taste?
- Pay attention to the details as well as the big picture. Notice the plants, animals, insects, fungi, rocks, soil, water, air, sun, moon, stars… Notice their shapes, colors, aromas, and sounds.
Conclusion: Observe and Connect with Nature and Yourself
Observing and connecting is not only a permaculture principle, but also a way of life. By observing and connecting with nature, we can learn from its wisdom, beauty, and diversity, and create systems that are sustainable, resilient, and harmonious. By observing and connecting with ourselves, we can discover our passions, values, and goals, and design a life that is fulfilling, meaningful, and joyful.
Observing and connecting is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. It requires time, patience, curiosity, and openness. It also requires action, feedback, and adaptation. It is a continuous process of learning and growing, that enriches our lives and our environment.
We hope this blog post has inspired you to observe and connect more with your site, your community, and yourself. We invite you to share your observations, insights, and questions in the comments below. We also encourage you to check out some of the following resources for more information on permaculture and the principle of observe and connect:
- Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability by David Holmgren
- Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual by Bill Mollison
- Permaculture Research Institute – An international organization that supports permaculture projects around the world
- What is Permaculture – by Bill Wilson with Midwest Permaculture
Thank you for reading this blog post. We hope you have enjoyed it and learned something new. Remember: observe and connect with nature and yourself, and you will discover a world of possibilities!