Learn to Design Systems That Actually Last
Whether you're just discovering permaculture or you've been designing for years, there's a pathway here for you. Our education programs blend ecological design, systems thinking, and deep nature connection — developed over decades of working with the land, the people, and the unique rhythms of this region.
Permaculture Education that Grows with You
Permaculture design is more than a set of techniques — it's a way of seeing. Our ideal programs are built around that idea: that the deepest learning happens when you're outside, working with real land, grappling with real problems, and part of a real community.
What you'll find here draws on generational knowledge patterns — soils, plant communities, seasonal patterns — woven together with formal training in integrated design, organizational systems, and facilitation. The result is education that bridges ecology and human community, because regenerative systems always involve both.
Rooted in Place
We aim to build relationship with place in every offering. That's not incidental — it's the curriculum. You'll learn to read patterns specific to soils, climate, and watershed in ways no classroom-only program can offer.
Integrated by Design
Ecological design and human systems design aren't separate disciplines. You'll learn how governance, facilitation, and organizational structure either support or undermine the land-based work — and what to do about it.
Built on Relationship
Learning happens through doing, through mentorship, and through community. We aim to weave a healthy network of alumni and collaborators, keep attendance small for more meaningful experiences, and note that the relationships you build here tend to last.
Not sure where to start? Here's how the programs relate.
Permaculture Design Course
The foundation.
72 hours of immersive design education.
Our PDC is a full, internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate course taught over 13-14 days or 7 weekends in communities building their permaculture network, online, or in hybrid combinations. You'll work through the full design process — observation, assessment, concept design, and implementation — on real land, with real constraints, and a small cohort who will challenge and support you throughout.
What's included:
- 72+ contact hours meeting international PDC standards
- Hands-on design projects
- Deep dives into water, soil, forest systems, and community design
- Additional introductions to core nature connection practices, dynamic governance, and mentoring.
- Small cohorts with direct instructor access and ongoing support
- Certificate recognized by Permaculture Institute of North America
Advanced Practitioner Program
From certified to confident.
Build a practice that lasts.
You've got your PDC. Now what? The Advanced Practitioner Program is a 12-month/year-long mentorship-based program for PDC graduates who want to design with depth, facilitate with skill, and build a regenerative practice — ecological and organizational — that sustains them.
This program integrates permaculture design with organizational development and facilitation training, because the human systems are always part of the design. We also build on nature connection practices as the foundation for all of it. Small cohort. Real projects. Ongoing mentorship.
What's included:
- Quarterly intensives
- Real-project design work with client feedback cycles
- Facilitation and organizational development modules
- One-on-one mentorship sessions throughout the program
- Access to the alumni network and peer community
- Portfolio development — leave with work you can show clients
Events: Workshops and Short Courses
Focused, standalone sessions.
No prerequisites required.
Our workshops are the lowest-commitment, highest-accessibility entry point into the work at Sheltering Hills. Each session is a standalone half-day or full-day deep dive into a focused topic — soil building, water harvesting, food forest design, reading the landscape, facilitation skills, and more.
Come to one workshop or come to many. There are no prerequisites, no applications, and no long-term commitment. Just show up ready to learn and have fun.
Examples from the past:
- Building soils: composting, garden building, and tending life under our feet.
- Designing for Water — Earthworks and Swales
- Food Forest Fundamentals
- Reading the Land: Observation & Pattern Recognition, and Relationship-Building
- Community Decision-Making & Facilitation Basics
- Introduction to Dynamic Governance (Sociocracy)
If this is you...
New to permaculture?
Start with a Workshop to get a feel for the land and the work, or dive straight into the PDC if you're ready for the full foundation.
Have your PDC and want to go deeper?
The Advanced Practitioner Program was built for you. Apply to join the next cohort, or schedule a call if you have questions first.
Just curious about one topic?
Browse our workshop calendar. Each session is standalone — no background needed.This is so fun! I love how I see the world now! Instead of focusing on all the problems, I'm looking at what I want and how that works with nature and builds a better society.
- D.L., PDC student
Interested in a hybrid online/ in-person PDC?
Let us know you are interested in such a course, and we will let you know about our next offerings.