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.
In 2004, the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC) established the WATER Institute (Watershed Advocacy, Training, Education & Research) to promote understanding of the importance of healthy watersheds to healthy communities. The WATER Institute develops innovative science-based solutions for communities and the environment to address the legacy of hydrologically destructive land-use practices and policies on California’s watersheds, and the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change on the water cycle.
Through demonstration, education, watershed community organizing and advocacy leadership, the WATER Institute empowers community-based watershed literacy and action by:
Brock completed his BA in the Biology and Environmental Studies departments at the University of California Santa Cruz in 1992, graduating with honors. He has been the keynote presenter at numerous conferences...
Kate Lundquist is a watershed advocate, researcher, co-author, educator, artist and community collaborator. She has been a part of OAEC's WATER Institute in Western Sonoma County since 2005. Kate directs our Bring Back the Beaver Campaign...
Conservation Hydrology emphasizes community-based watershed literacy, planning and action. It challenges the current "dehydration model" of human development and advocates for a "rehydration model" based on the mantra:
Illustration by Jim Coleman
Watersheds are catchment basins of varying sizes that collect surface water and groundwater in a given geographical area. "Basins of relations" is the notion that our watersheds are complex, living systems full of organisms that rely on us to be aware of how our actions impact the waters we share.
Illustration by Jim Coleman
From numerous mentions in newspaper and magazine articles, radio shows and films to awards such as the Paula Lane Action Network's 2014 Badger Spirit Award, the WATER Institute is honored when our work receives recognition. See our full list of media appearances and awards:
Over the past decade, many water agencies and organizations have looked to the WATER Institute for consultation and support. We are honored to volunteer our time to support the important work of groups such the California Roundtable on Water and Food Supply, the California Beaver Working Group, the Greywater Alliance Advisory Board.
Learn more about our Civic Involvement >
We present to many different audiences across Sonoma County, throughout California, and in various countries abroad. Each talk is customized to address the unique ecological, land use and community issues associated with the watershed we are presenting in. We take into account the concerns of the constituency we are addressing and tailor our talks to meet the needs of this diverse array of communities.
Learn more about our Public Outreach >