In the realm of PLANTS a guild is a ‘biological community whose central species, usually a tree or animal, is supported by the mutualistic or symbiotic nature of the surrounding flora and fauna’. Plants guilds form the basic structure of edible forest gardens and diverse perennial polycultures.
In terms of PEOPLE a guild is a diverse group of local people coming together on a regular basis to to learn about and practice permaculture.
Land Restoration and Water Retention Strategies workshop 10-11-2015
People guilds are an example of functional diversity. People guilds utilize the diversity of skills in our local community as a tool for designing efficient municipalities that have the ability to create stable and resilient agro-ecosystems, appropriate technologies and equitable and supportive social structures.
Permaculture offers a toolbox of design ideas and methods to create ecologically based human settlements which do not rely upon the use of fossil fuels or synthetics. Permaculture relies upon careful observation and thoughtful interaction with our natural world. It utilizes the patterns that are abundant in Nature to mimic her innate efficiency by using less to provide more.
CHICO PERMACULTURE GUILD -an education program of Earthshed Solutions 