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.
From Basins of Relations: A Citizen’s Guide to Protecting and Restoring Our Watersheds
The term “watershed” describes basins, catchments or drainages of varying sizes that convey all surface and groundwater that falls within them and runs through them.Watersheds can be as small as the property you live on or as large as the Mississippi basin, which drains 40% of the North American continent. A watershed is geographically defined by the highest ridgelines, or watershed divides, that encircle it. It is these divides that differentiate it from the adjacent watershed.
It is common for people to focus on a creek or river alone when, in fact, everything that occurs from the ridgeline to the rivermouth makes up the watershed. The movement of water over and through the living ecosystem connects us to one another and to all species living in our Basin of Relation. The quality and quantity of this precious liquid can determine which and how many of each species can sustainably live in each watershed.
The better we understand the relationship between our actions and the watershed we live in, the more likely we are to ensure water security for all species that share a watershed.
To offer a historical context of past and present water issues as well as resources for individuals, communities and policy-makers, the WATER Institute produced a publication that aims to increase citizens’ participation in the restoration and protection of watersheds. The publication also increases hydrological literacy and offers practical options to elected officials who are trying to meet Federal and state mandates on water conservation, stormwater issues and endangered species.
This booklet is intended for all people and organizations interested in conservation issues whether they are new to watershed awareness or are already seasoned watershed policy makers, scientists or activists. It has been written as a tool for individuals to educate themselves and for those working to educate others about the myriad issues facing our watersheds and the steps we can take to preserve them.
We offer bulk discounts! Interested in ordering multiple copies for your watershed group, classroom, or advocacy work? Contact the OAEC office (707)874-1557×101 for orders of 5 or more.