Greetings! Oh, summertime. Bursting berries, shimmering sunshine, growth in all directions, north, south, earth, sky. Many of us are busy tending to gardens, stewarding seeds and plants, smashing the patriarchy, unlearning biases, dismantling white supremacy, tending the land, caring for our communities, and sharing the surplus this season. It’s all connected. We hope you are all striking a positive balance between work, play, and self care during these times we’re in and have always been in.
So, what’s been new for PAN?
Strengthening the Network
We see value in offering tools to our members and the northeast permaculture network that strengthen communication, collaboration, and connection with each other. This can be hard to achieve in our region since many of us are physically far from each other and will continue to be an issue due to risks associated with traveling and convening during this COVID-19 era. Because of this, we have invested in new membership software – a program called, Membership Works. While this tool also helps us better manage our membership database, it provides a suite of features on the PAN website for members to use including a membership directory, interactive map, and member profile. As we integrate this software into our website, we will work with all of you to ensure that this transition is seamless. This will greatly improve the ability for members to connect with PAN and with each other! Please note that PAN will be offering an introductory session at the 2020 Virtual Northeast Permaculture Convergence, so tune in there for more information about this program!
2020 Virtual Northeast Permaculture Convergence
In lieu of cancelling the in-person Northeast Permaculture Convergence, PAN coordinated a 2020 Virtual Gathering that brought in speakers who discussed topics related to wild edibles, revolutionary permaculture, urban ecosystem justice, and more! For access to the recordings, please visit https://northeastpermaculture.org/convergence-2020/.
PAN Webinars
PAN has been upping its webinar game! Since the pandemic began in March, we’ve hosted virtual conversations on the role of permaculture during the pandemic and teaching permaculture to youth. We’ve also begun planning a two-part webinar series exploring suburban and urban permaculture systems. Our next webinar is focused on Permaculture for Suburban Landscapes, so keep an eye out for more information on this!
Do you have an idea for a future webinar topic or speakers? Let us know by sending a message to info@northeastpermaculture.org
Equity Statement
The PAN Equity Statement Committee is working to collaborate and co-create an organizational equity statement and implementation plan. The equity statement will identify a vision and actions related to building racial equity and resisting white supremacy in our organization’s decision making structure, organizational culture, and non-profit projects, and within the broader northeast permaculture community. The next work group meeting is on Tuesday, August 18th at 5-6 PM and all PAN members are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact info@northeastpermaculture.org.