We are blessed to live on 17 acres of Welsh mountainside.
Our property includes 2 streams, a lake, around a thousand standing mature trees and 10,000 younger trees that have been planted over the past 6 years.
We also have copious amounts of rock - welsh slate, granite and quartz to be precise.
Having not had chemicals used on the property for at least 20 years, and having not had any intensive grazing for 15 years, there is an amazingly rich and diverse ecology here.
I am not a permaculture expert, but I believe one of the principles is to make use of the resources you have on your own property first.
We have many resources. The obvious ones - wood, water, timber - are obvious and abundant. But at a more micro level I have little true knowledge of what we have here in terms of the massive treasure trove of flora and fauna.
I would like to remedy that.
So my plan is to commence a systematic documentation of all the flora and fauna on the property.
I will be starting with the plants. Partly because I have some small botantical experience, partly because they don't move when you are trying to identify them, and partly because I am fascinated to know what potential medical and food resources lie forgotten and unrealised in our 17 acre organic floral haven.
Trees, plants and fungi will be included. The fungi particularly excite me.
We constantly find new fungi - and they are all so beautiful and tantalisingly tempted. I am sure there are riches unknown and untapped amongst our fungal friends.
I am hoping, with the help of @cryptocariad and the rest of the family, to make this a mixed media project with photographs, illustrations and possibly even video.
Our medicine chest and our pantry may never be the same.
PROJECTS :
A Dollar A Day : the projects we support (part 1 of 3 - Bangladesh, Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa)
Pennsif's Sustainability Curation Digest for MSP - week ending 26 August 2018
BLOGS :
Pennsif’s Progress #570 – I am how I buy - my quest for organics
Pennsif’s Progress #572 – Last Duck Down
RADIO :
The Alternative Lifestyle Show - Friday 24 August 2018 [recording]
My Life In 8 Songs - 23 August 2018 - @luzcypher, @prc & @inthenow [recording]
[ images by @pennsif ]