PROPOSAL for Mt.Pisgah & Buford park

          for EcoForestry/forest ecology & Permaculture

Interpretive trail tours for visitors & groups by micheal sunanda, July 12, 99

BACKGROUND - almost 2 yrs ago I proposed to develop EcoForestry (EF) &or Permaculture (PC) tours & signing existing trails there, to Friends of BP, when I joined.  Since then, visiting & hiking there, & discussing this project with some EF/PC experts the details are emerging.

Now 100s of interpretive trail guided tours regularly educate 1,000s  of park, forest & cave visitors/yr in US. This is a ripe field for ecological education, as interest in natural patterns of growth is accelerating fast. And especially here since 3-4000 people attend the Mushroom festival yearly in the fall, plus 1000s more hike the trails there.  Dozens of country ‘herb ID walks’ are introducing dozens of species of local edible & medicinal trees/weeds/herbs to 100s of naturists in the NW, perhaps at BP?

DEFINITIONS of EcoForestry: the practice of sustainable forestry management with great respect for organic & native species, with maximum diverse natural growth, with selective harvesting trees & plants, includes forest restoration, to assist growing more harmonious in balance Harvesting trees not necessary for studying EF in any Ecoforest.

FOREST ECOLOGY(FE)- the study of all natural patterns in forest diversity & fertility in soils, plants & animals, both native & imported, integrated  with weather, bugs & the total watershed in the bioregional patterns related to health of whole ecosystem with all energies moving.

Forest ecology is like PC in the forest, growing aware of natural cycles:

like the daily solar & lunar patterns of light, heat/temp & water flux.

PERMACULTURE - the design-science of sustainable cooperative human, settlements, organically growing more food with less work in balance with nature in unique patterns we learn to enhance, with, trees, herbs & organic gardening in harmony with animals, weather, insects & soils. Learning continues daily ebs & flows, needs, causes, effects, & ?s

PC has layers/stories up from the bedrock/soil into plants including tree canopies. PC zones radiate out from a home/structure in 5 zones, the 5th is forest, range, desert, mtns, whatever is beyond your closer areas.

So most of MP/BP is in zones 4 & 5 of PC applied to Forest ecology there.

PC trainers do design process courses in any area of land, to learn patterns &or plan making changes like: ecological pest control, identifying, spacing, mulching, plants, improving water flows, soil fertility, gardening & native species all cooperating in balance with people visiting the open spaces.

                           PC/EF TOUR TRAILS GOALS

1. To develop a plan & design for interpretive signs on existing trails for          EF/PC education, integrated with existing programs & plans for       natural growth & including restoration projects which we may help.

2. To educate visitors & workers about the PC/EF patterns at work near the trails, that apply to any natural eco-zones & watershed bioregions

3. To model the PC/EF program for any parks & forest-lands working to teach visitors about organic forest ecology patterns in their ecozones.

         PRINCIPLE METHODS OF THE PC/EF PROGRAM

1.  To Study the basic maps, existing trails & ecology, programs & plans at & about BP/MP & other interpretive trail tour programs in US.    

2. To seek local funding sources for maping & design, sign building & conducting interpretive tours, as announced by local eco groups, to get volunteers, contributions, donations, etc, for a pilot project

3. To make all the interpretive weatherproof maps & signs needed for self -guided EF/PC tours & install them strategically, as agreed on by BP  

4. To get ecogroups, county & state support, grants & endouments, to create & expand a permanent program integrated with schools & eco-community groups using the program for natural education.

5.  To utilize all local public media & ecology groups to announce & participate in PC/EF project, to enhance there program purposes.      

6.  To have an opening celebration of the trails, with scheduled guided tours, according to seasonal patterns of growth & interest groups.

7. To photograph &or video tape certain tours for historical & educational purposes there, for schools, education, ecotourism & training.

8. After the EF/PC project succeeds, consult with other naturalists to assist them in developing similar & unique programs in there eco-zones.

9. To assist children to learn, enjoy &or volunteer in these eco programs.    Acclimatizating/Earth Education & Sharing Nature with Children are 2 natural programs that raise awareness of organic energy in any environment with questions, games, experience, singing & play

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 I’ve been doing Permaculture & organic gardening for 5-10 years. I am glad to meet with BP/MP managers to develop, define & decide on details of this program needed to integrate with existing activities The Oregon EcoForestry Inst. is also interested in meeting with BP/MP & any others to develop this proposal into action. We are aware of some funding sources.