Questionnaire for ScotLAND project – Please complete by: January 11th 2012
Thank you for coming to complete this short questionnaire. Please complete it if you are based in Scotland. Below is some background information on permaculture, Permaculture Scotland, and the ScotLAND project.
1. What is permaculture?
Firstly, permaculture is a widely used, practical and adaptable set of tools of creating sustainable human habitats. It integrates systems, including food, water, shelter, energy, and community, in ways that are healthy and efficient. It's inspiring a diverse range of people and communities in Scotland (and throughout the world) to think creatively about sustainability, including low carbon communities, Transition Initiatives, sustainability projects, as well as permaculture groups.
2. What is Permaculture Scotland?
Permaculture Scotland, a working group of the Permaculture Association, is a registered charity in Scotland. It aims to network and inspire projects and individuals throughout Scotland who are interested in permaculture and sustainability issues. More information is available on our design which is available from our website: www.permaculture.org.uk/scotland
3. What is the ScotLAND project?
ScotLAND will be a Scotland-wide network supporting and creating permaculture Learning And Network Demonstration (LAND) Centres. The aim of the ScotLAND project is to demonstrate practical examples of land-based permaculture design in various different places, micro-climates, and cultures throughout Scotland. These will include both urban and rural home gardens, community gardens, public spaces, allotments, smallholdings and farms.
These LAND Centres will meet our criteria of being in Scotland, integrating permaculture, being open to visitors and offering opportunities for learning. If a project is in the early stages of integrating permaculture they can become a LAND Learner Centre and progress towards LAND Centre status as and when they are ready.
To achieve our aim, ScotLAND will:
- establish a network of sites that meet the criteria to become LAND Centres;
- support these LAND Centres, and those wishing to become one;
- link projects through one-to-one support, regional training and skill-sharing events;
- raise awareness of permaculture and the projects involved in Scotland;
- create case studies and online services such as a new directory with volunteer opportunities and an offers and requests system to allow sharing of materials, tools and skills;
- support local practitioners to engage new people in food-growing and permaculture;
- support people who are new to permaculture to visit established LAND Centres.
4. What will you gain from being involved in ScotLAND?
If you've got a land-based project and and are ready to become a LAND Centre, you will be supported to integrate permaculture into your project. Your work will be promoted to a wider audience, who will visit, attend workshops, training etc at your site (for which we intend you to receive a financial contribution). There will be reciprocal opportunities for skill-share with other LAND Centres, spreading the learning and viability of permaculture in different contexts throughout Scotland.
If your project is not yet ready to become a LAND Centre, it can be a LAND Learner Centre. As such you will gain support to explore and develop permaculture within your project with a view to progression to LAND Centre status as and when you're ready. Support is expected to include on-site tutorials and opportunities for you to visit established LAND Centres for workshops, training, skill-share events etc.
By helping us with the initial questionnaire we will be able to see how permaculture can support existing and new projects to become more sustainable throughout.
Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction, and to complete the questionnaire.
The Permaculture Scotland Management Group
www.permaculture.org.uk/scotland