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.
Here are some examples of site designs created by the OAEC permaculture class which provided the inspiration for the congregation to create their own master plan.
Church congregation members discuss their goals and aspirations for the site. They crafted a land stewardship vision to guide the group decision making process: To create “a welcoming, naturalistic garden, inspiring quiet contemplation that nurtures souls and spirits of all ages and backgrounds throughout the year.” Guided by permaculture instructor, Kendall Dunnigan, this group process is an example of OAEC’s Resilient Community Design.
The phases of implementation begin with the installation of a contemplative labyrinth with a surrounding food forest and pollinator garden. The second phase will transform the 1-acre asphalt parking area into more permeable surfaces for water infiltration and catchment. The third phase will build a playground for children and reinvigorate the entry way with more low-water, edible landscaping and trees. The fourth phase will be the integration of ecological principals into their Christian education programs.
In March 2019, OAEC’s Permaculture Design students installed the food forest in the front entrance area fo the church grounds as part of their community permaculture service project. They planted over 200 perennial plants! After several years of work with PDC instructor Kendall Dunnigan and members of the congregation to come up with a design plan for the grounds, this long-awaited installation by the PDC class was a momentous occasion!
As of June, the 250 trees and shrubs are doing well and filling out. The California poppies are bursting orange over the site. The project leads report that the Church members are thrilled with the results. Neighbors and church members have increased their use of the area for their evening strolls and dog walking. They are looking forward to phase two implementation this winter.