The Permaculture Research Institute of Australia

I have been living a reasonably simple, self sufficient and sustainable existence in both of the eastern Australian areas of Moreton Bay and Byron Bay for the past 10 or so years.

Each year I seem to need less and feel more connected to the natural elements.

I have earnt a living for the past 9 years as an independent sustainability consultant teaching people and businesses about 'how to be' using less resources, thinking about where water, materials, consumables, food and energy comes from and designing buildings and operations with this knowledge in mind.

As I teach more, I learn more about myself and natural systems. I become more connected and these lessons help me in turn to be a better teacher.

While I have qualifications and experience in environmental management, training, marketing, waste management and animal behaviour, I value highly the learnings I get from interactions with others (human and other) plus trusting my instincts and heart.

I have a growing knowledge of practical approaches to sustainable living - growing chemically free; harvesting and using water cleverly; co-existing and harmonising with other species, minimising my energy use and closing the loop on the lifecycle of things - so as to reduce the creation of waste.

Having lived primarily in the temperate and sub-tropical regions of Australia, it was a wonderful experience to head recently to Jordan to undertake my PDC in an arid environment.

I hope to spread my learnings to other climatic zones while continuing to build practical experience in all areas.

The joy will be seeing footprints get lighter; food fresher and more evenly available; the planet greener; soil healthier; potable water more abundant; less energy expended; diversity of species and cultures greater, more understood and accepted plus life for all more peaceful.