Permaculture Design Course

Overview

In 2026, Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) and the Denver Permaculture Design Course (DPDC) are partnering to offer an expanded, community-centered Permaculture Design Course that combines foundational permaculture education with real-world application. Together, DUG and DPDC are creating more opportunities for hands-on learning, collaborative design, and connections with Colorado’s thriving permaculture community.

Throughout the course, students will develop permaculture designs for a future DUG garden and/or food forest site, working alongside community stakeholders and applying regenerative design principles to a real project. Classes will alternate between the Posner Center in downtown Denver and the community design site, with opportunities to participate in DUG workshops and connect with instructors during office hours.

Who Should Enroll

Gardeners & Growers
Whether you’re just getting started or have years of gardening experience, this course will deepen your understanding of regenerative design. Learn practical techniques to create productive, resilient landscapes that work with nature and support healthy ecosystems.

Land Stewards & Professionals
Ideal for farmers, landscapers, designers, educators, nonprofit professionals, planners, and anyone responsible for managing land or community spaces. Gain the skills to design systems that conserve resources, manage water wisely, increase resilience, and create landscapes that are more efficient, functional, and easier to maintain.

Community Builders & Changemakers
Perfect for community organizers, neighborhood leaders, educators, sustainability advocates, and anyone working to create positive change. Explore how permaculture principles can strengthen local food systems, address climate challenges, build community resilience, and cultivate thriving, connected places.

Homeowners & Curious Learners
No prior permaculture experience is required. This course is for anyone who wants to better understand the relationships between people, plants, and the environment. Gain tools to make thoughtful decisions about your home, garden, and community while joining a network of people working toward a more regenerative future.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the training, participants will:

• Understand the foundations of permaculture and how ecological principles can guide the design of resilient human systems.
• Develop whole-systems thinking skills to recognize relationships, patterns, and connections across landscapes, communities, and resources.
• Learn how to apply permaculture design principles to create regenerative solutions for food, water, energy, shelter, and community needs.
• Explore practical tools and strategies for designing productive gardens, food forests, landscapes, homes, and community spaces that work with nature.
• Build skills in observation, analysis, and design processes that support thoughtful decision-making and long-term resilience.
• Discover how soil health, biodiversity, climate, water management, social systems, and built environments intersect within a regenerative design framework.
• Practice creating collaborative designs that respond to real-world challenges and community needs.
• Connect with a network of practitioners, educators, and community members who are working toward more sustainable and resilient futures.

This course is designed to introduce you to the relationships and synergies between the many disciplines that permaculture connects. You will not become an expert in every topic covered, but you will gain the tools to understand these systems, identify opportunities for improvement, and continue exploring the areas that inspire you most.