"Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The word itself is a contraction not only of permanent agriculture but also of permanent culture, as cultures cannot survive for long without a sustainable agriculture base and landuse ethic. The focus is to create systems that are ecologically-sound and economically viable, which provide for their own needs, do not exploit or pollute, and are therefor sustainable in the long term. Based on the observation of natural systems, the wisdom of traditional farming systems and modern scientific and technological knowledge, permaculture uses inherent qualities of plants and animals combined with the natural characteristics of landscapes and structures to provide a life-supporting system for city and country, using the smallest practical area."

Bill Mollison