OAEC supports diverse communities to design their own regenerative systems at the regional and local scale.
Our cookbook is a collection of inventive recipes inspired by seasonal eating from our biodiverse Mother Garden, orchards and Wildlands Preserve.
Experience the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center through beautiful slideshows of our Guest Houses, Meeting Hall, Kitchen, Garden, Wildlands and more.
OAEC serves as a retreat center for networks, public agencies, foundations and other groups working towards social and environmental change.
Our 100% Certified Organic plant nursery specializes in open-pollinated perennials including edible landscaping plants, rare and endangered food crops, drought tolerant ornamentals and habitat plants - all tested in our onsite gardens and appropriate for our bioregion.
OAEC offers the longest consistently running two-week Permaculture Design Certification course in the West. Immerse yourself in information, ideas and inspiration on how to design sustainable, regenerative systems in balance with your home ecosystem.
The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center is a wonderful place to hold organizational retreats for groups and networks, public agencies, foundations and other groups working towards social and environmental change. Just 70 miles from both Oakland and San Francisco, OAEC provides every amenity for a retreat, workshop or strategic planning meeting in a truly stunning environment.
The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center is a wonderful place to hold organizational retreats for groups and networks, public agencies, foundations and other groups working towards social and environmental change. Just 70 miles from both Oakland and San Francisco, OAEC provides every amenity for a retreat, workshop or strategic planning meeting in a truly stunning environment.
Welcome! The land that OAEC inhabits is the territory of the Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples. When you visit OAEC, we invite you to join us in honoring and continuing their legacy of land stewardship.
Since the 1970’s these 80-acres of organic gardens, wildlands, onsite intentional community, and education center have served as a living laboratory for research, collaboration and forging the transition towards ecological and socially just human settlement. In developing and collectively caring for our home, we hope to reveal a place of beauty that is deeply connected with nature and full of examples to inspire you to bring regenerative practices back to your own community.
Aside from the beautiful natural surroundings and learning opportunities that the site offers, participants in our courses and retreats can also enjoy other features and fruits of the land, including delicious homegrown organic food, swimming pond, sauna, hot tub, campfire, and comfortable eco-dwellings, as described below.
Planning your meeting at OAEC? Download a printable pdf spec sheet (coming soon) of our meeting facilities, housing, and amenities.