POLLINATOR HABITAT and PERMACULTURE DESIGN

Many people are aware of pollinators and the importance of both preserving and creating habitat for this critical component of ecosystems. But what is Permaculture?

 

Permaculture is a holistic approach to land management and agricultural design that aims to mimic natural ecosystems to create self-sustaining systems. It's based on the idea of using resources, land, people, and the environment in a way that minimizes waste and encourages closed-loop systems. The goal is to improve ecosystem biodiversity and resiliency, enhance plant and wildlife habitat, and create low-input, high-quality food systems for humans while maximizing sustainability. Think of it as the mid-point between foraging wild foods and growing an organic garden.

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Acorn Planning & Design offers consulting services in a variety of manners:

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• ​Pollinator garden design ranging from pocket gardens to multi-acre sites

• Suburban-scale "Food Forest" design of diverse, perennial permaculture gardens sized to fit the average backyard

• Intensive permaculture designs focused on optimizing site productivity, ecosystem function, and resilience

• Infrastructure planning and husbandry training for integrating livestock of all sizes into a site

• Soil health improvement and pasture management systems

• Water and irrigation system design and optimization.

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CONSULTATION and DESIGN SERVICES

All Acorn Planning & Design services can be provided at different levels of detail to best meet the needs of clients.

Basic Onsite Assessment and Advisory

Onsite assessments form the core of our services. Several hours of analysis from a knowledgeable designer can avoid years of sub-optimal results and save thousands of dollars in wasted materials and labor. After the consultation is complete and a detailed report has been generated, many clients find they have all that is needed to begin moving the needle in a positive direction. Common topics include but are not limited to:

• Food forest, permaculture orchard, garden, and other food system siting considerations

• Drainage improvement, water storage, and climate change resiliency planning

• Site mapping and long-term land use goal-setting and planning

• Human habitat and infrastructure design and optimization

• Integrating and working with livestock on the land at a variety of scales and intensities.

 

A typical onsite assessment and report may range in cost from $300-750 depending on site size and travel time. We will plan to use our time onsite together efficiently by conducting a preliminary phone conversation and by gathering and reviewing remote assessment resources. A 50% deposit is requested. In some instances, a basic assessment will be the catalyst for more detailed and intensive site analysis and planning. In these instances a preliminary onsite assessment provides the basis for a custom project cost estimate.​