Reading: Course Overview and Format
Welcome to Permaculture 2: Ecosystem Mimicry
This 6-week course, plus an intro week, is the second step in Cornell’s 3-part Permaculture Design series. You will deepen the work you began in Fundamentals, refining your site design and expanding your portfolio with ecosystem mimicry practices.
What to Expect
Your Design Project
You will continue developing the site you started in Fundamentals, moving from concepts to more detailed, evidence-based decisions. By the end of this course, you will add layered assessments, refined maps, and practice-ready strategies to your portfolio.
Certificates
This is not a Cornell University degree course; it is offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension. Upon request, participants may receive Continuing Education Credits (CECs) or CTLE certificates. After completing all three courses, you will receive a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC).
Time Commitment
Plan for 10 to 15 hours per week for readings, lectures, assignments, and forums.
Design Tools
We use a Google Slides template to organize your assessments and designs. You may also use other digital tools. Hand drawing is welcome, and basic drawing supplies are helpful for several exercises.
Examples
Each week includes examples of finished assignments. Please review them before you begin your work.
Zoom Sessions
Optional but recommended. These sessions support real-time connection, questions, and peer learning, and they often spark lasting collaboration.
This course assumes you completed Permaculture 1: Fundamentals of Ecological Design or have equivalent experience. Bring your in-progress design and be ready to iterate.
We are excited to work with you. Reach out to your instructor, Monica Ibacache, through Moodle chat or by email: mji33@cornell.edu.