Imagine a thriving natural ecosystem that both supports and is nourished by the human community living in and around it. Think of food forests and gardens teeming with life, farmland full of plants that support each other’s growth and nutritional needs, and a huge diversity of plant and animal species, which provide food and other resources for the humans who help take care of them, without becoming depleted. This is the essence of permaculture, a holistic design system that aims to reconcile human communities with the ecological imperatives of our living planet.
It is a concept deeply rooted in systems thinking and ecological principles, and has evolved into a multidisciplinary approach to creating sustainable and regenerative human systems, as well. While permaculture techniques may vary according to context, the core values remains the same. In fact, a particular set of permaculture ethics are foundational to all of permaculture, and it is these ethics which can also inform the inner workings of regenerative communities.
Permaculture Ethics—Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share
Earth care, people care, and fair share are the values that act as guiding stars in shaping all permaculture practices, including but not limited to land design and management systems. These three central values are inspired by traditional societies that have thrived in synergy with nature for hundreds or thousands of years. Each ethic provides a lens through which to evaluate our actions and their impact on the world.
- Earth Care: Recognizing that a healthy environment is essential for all life, permaculture encourages the protection and regeneration of ecosystems. This ethic emphasizes working with nature rather than exploiting it and using natural processes to replenish soils, forests, and water systems.
- People Care: Permaculture recognizes the importance of meeting human needs, not just for survival but for well-being and community. It seeks to design systems that provide food, shelter, energy, and livelihoods while fostering thriving human systems rich with strong relationships, cooperation, education, and equitable access to resources.
- Fair Share: Also known as “return of surplus,” this ethic is about redistributing excess resources for the benefit of the environment and society. Whether it’s surplus food, energy, or knowledge, the idea is to give back to the system, ensuring a balance that promotes long-term sustainability.
Permaculture ethics invite us to evaluate all our decisions not only through the lens of practicality but also through their impact on ecological balance, human communities, and long-term sustainability.
Permaculture Ethics in Action in a Living Community
At Gaia Ashram, we integrate permaculture ethics into every aspect of our ecovillage life. They guide our designs, our relationships, and our commitment to a regenerative future, integrating seamlessly into the 4D Mandala of Ecovillage Design covering the worldview, social, ecological, and economic dimensions.
Earth Care: Regenerating and Protecting Our Ecosystems
At Gaia Ashram, Earth Care lies at the core of everything we do.
For instance, we have dedicated 40% of our property—about three hectares—to rewilding. These areas regenerate naturally, providing a haven for wildlife and supporting thriving ecosystems. Another 1.5 hectares support regenerative farming practices like syntropic agroforestry and forest gardening. Since 2012, these practices have significantly improved the soil and biodiversity on our 7.2-hectare property. Other Earth Care initiatives include natural water management systems, such as swales, ponds, and rain catchment areas that prevent erosion and replenish groundwater. We also practice nutrient cycling by using “waste” as a resource. For example, our chickens and ducks love eating our food scraps and Black Soldier Fly larvae. Additionally, human waste is transformed into nutrient-rich compost using dry compost toilets and vermicomposting toilet systems, while all gray and black water undergoes biological filtration.
People Care: Cultivating Community and Well-Being
Although Gaia Ashram aspires to be a “Community of All Beings,” the human element is undeniably essential. At Gaia Ashram, we create structures that nurture collaboration, mindfulness, and mutual support.
Our community emphasizes personal reflection and feedback, encouraging individual growth alongside collective harmony. Regular sharing circle gatherings allow us to share stories, laughter, and dreams. These moments of connection nourish our souls and inspire us. Mindfulness practices like yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation form part of our daily routines, helping us stay grounded as individuals and as a group.Healthy, delicious food from our gardens and natural buildings for shelter are tangible examples of People Care in action. We also host well-being check-ins, share tools for building healthy relationships, and offer self-care practices such as massage and herbal treatments. By encouraging an environment where people can thrive together, we embody the essence of this ethic.
Fair Share: Sharing Surplus and Securing the Future
FFair Share focuses on redistributing surplus resources to benefit both the environment and society. At Gaia Ashram, this ethic guides us to give back to our local community and the larger web of life.
For years, we have conducted Nature Camps for local youth. Through our nonprofit, Nature’s Way Foundation, we support local schools by designing and implementing eco-education programs. Additionally, we provide scholarships for youth, activists, and grassroots leaders to attend some of our sustainability education courses, such as the Mindful Facilitation for Empowerment training and Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) course certified by Gaia Education.
‘Future care’ is also integral to Fair Share. By balancing immediate needs with long-term sustainability, we ensure that our actions today contribute to a thriving planet for future generations.
Practicing Permaculture as a Community
Permaculture is more than a design system; it’s a way of life that integrates ethics into every action. At Gaia Ashram, we do our best to embody these ethics in our daily practices, creating a living example of what a sustainable community can look like. Whether it’s rewilding our land, fostering personal and collective well-being, or sharing our surplus, we are constantly striving to align our lives with the ethics of permaculture.If you’re inspired to learn more and experience these practices firsthand, join us for our upcoming Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course. Together, we can deepen our understanding of permaculture and take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.
