PermAgra Trust

PermAgra Trust has grown from the fact that much of the land protected by conservation organizations is managed passively.   The ecosystems that evolve through passive land management can become isolated and are often poor representations of a healthy ecosystem.  As well, the process of natural succession can become expedited due to passive management and is often stayed only by mowing (ex. meadow preceding a forest).  

Despite our best efforts to preserve these environmentally important landscapes it has been noted that idol land can quickly become a liability and an unnecessary expense not only to the owner but the local economy as well. Remember that we too are part of the ecology of the landscape and are always playing an active role in the future our land.  It is important to realize that even by making the decision not to interfere with natural ecosystems we have still made a decision that carries a definite and determining impact on the future ecology of that landscape.  There are many economical and environmentally sound goals that can be integrated into a design plan to promote the natural ecology of a specific property. 

Unique is our goal to preserve a property of any size!  Through sustainable land management practices of the Permaculture discipline PermAgra Trust works to conserve land by adapting low impact design plans that compliment the existing ecology and sustain a local community.  The process creates the “interconnected sustainability” that is the Trust's ultimate goal.  (link. interconnected sustainable community map)

When approaching an unused or passively managed landscape PermAgra Trust conducts a thorough site analysis. Determining usefulness of the property to the local interconnected community, then creating a list of the landscape potentials, and finally interviewing the land owners about their goals for sustainability.  Buildings and structures can be included in design planning by conducting a “green audit.”  If the decision is made to develop a design plan a PermAgra Trustee will visit the property to catalogue present plant and animal species and their interrelation, test for soil biota and trace minerals, consult with the land owner and, if required, the conservation to develop a long term design plan.  When the ecological design plan is complete it is brought before the land owner for approval.

A land manager is then recommended to the land owner by Permagra Trust and is in most cases an affiliate company or member of the trust. The land manager can range from; a private party who will raise and care for livestock, a vintner who will plant and manage a biodynamic vineyard, a company who will erect a solar array or windmill to produce energy, a local organic farmer/perennial gardener who will plant and harvest, or on a smaller scale an ecological landscaping company.  As part of the design plan there is an attempt to include self-sustaining options for land owners & land managers to ensure the longevity of the devised plans. Self-sustaining in that we attempt to create mutually beneficial relationships or an equal exchange of land for labor by matching a landowner's goals for sustainability and a proactive land manager with the ability to carry out the prescribed design plan.  In most cases there is no, or only a small, monetary commitment between land owner and land manager.  If necessary, a contract will be mediated by the Trust.

PermAgra Trust relies on our members, affiliates, and the community for financial support.  Ecologically minded land owners contributions also help us to achieve our goals.  Your tax deductible contributions are greatly appreciated and help to ensure our mission is a success.