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.
On April 15, 2017, Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force (KHCG TF), Earth Team, City of Hayward’s Landscape Department, Occidental Arts & Ecology Center and the local and surrounding community members came together for a water saving extravaganza. Spearheaded by Jen Topper from Earth Team, more than 85 volunteers converted a 5,000 sq. ft lawn into a water-wise, Bay-friendly garden outside of Hayward City Hall. OAEC Permaculture Program Co-Director Kendall Dunnigan created the design and helped to supervise the installation.
Pictured below: OAEC permaculture program co-director Kendall Dunnigan in front of Hayward City Hall, explaining the water-saving benefits of the design compared to the lawn that existed previously.
Earth Team’s San Lorenzo interns gave demonstrations on how to sheet mulch (compost, cardboard, mulch) and plant native plants. Additional resources on water-wise gardening were provided to all participants. The project also included the installation of a walkway and bench seating area for the public to enjoy the beautiful colors and aromas this garden will provide for decades.
Typical lawns require substantial amounts of water and maintenance. A California native and Bay-friendly garden uses less water, provides pollinator habitat, promotes healthy soils by retaining water and improving drainage, and creates a space to relax and enjoy all nature has to offer. This lawn conversion will save 15,000 to 25,000 gallons of water in one year alone!