Host's Page

Thank you for your interest in Permablitz! We've received a huge amount of enquiries about how people can "sign up" and get involved, as as a result, we've put together a “how to get blitzed guide” below.

Step 1 - Become a member of the Calgary Permaculture Guild

The Calgary Permaculture Guild is a non-profit society with the purpose of facilitating permaculture design education, skills, and community repair in Calgary (and beyond). The Guild oversees a number of projects that make positive change happen in Calgary. Two such projects are the Permablitz network, and the Calgary Urban Harvest Project. Your membership will cost $25.00 (Individual) or $35 (Family) annually, and the membership fees go running urban projects, organizing events, hiring speakers, running workshops, and building community.

Step 2 - Commit to participating in at least two other permablitzes.

The central philosophy of the Permablitz to is "provide help to get help," and is the single most important aspect behind this project's success. What we ask, is that you volunteer at least two days of your time being on a "Blitz crew" toward helping someone install their permaculture garden, and then you'll be eligible to have a Blitz crew come to you house and put in a garden for you (this is about a $10,000 value in landscapers’ fees). Volunteering for blitzes will also give hosts a good idea of what it will be like to host their blitz. Note: for this year only, you are eligible to host your blitz before you volunteer on two other blitzes as the network is just beginning.

Step 3 - Create a permaculture design for your project

You need to create permaculture design for your project in order to have a Blitz crew install it in a Permablitz. Here's your options:

• Design the project yourself. If you have have taken a course in permaculture design and you are ready to apply the principles to the design of your project.
• Retain a volunteer permaculture designer. We are teaching many new designers every year who are willing to get design experience by volunteering to design a project for you. We have growing list of volunteer designers. It is your responsibility to ask the right questions to find the right designer for you.
• Hire a permaculture designer. Permaculture Designers charge anywhere from $40 to $90/hr for their time and experience in collecting all the information they need and creating a design for you.

Note: The Permablitz Network will only help install a project designed with permaculture principles. Permablitz crews do not install lawns, flower gardens, and other projects that ultimately consume more energy resources and time than they produce. A project designed according to permaculture principles guarantees that it is regenerative, energy-efficent, and net energy positive.

Step 4 - Find a Permablitz Designer/Facilitator

Facilitating the Permablitz is extremely important. With 25 or 30 Permablitzer's on site can quickly get out of hand. The facilitator needs to find a job for everybody, ensure the group is having fun, ensure safety is practiced at all times, and that the design is properly followed. Here are your options:

• Facilitate the Blitz yourself. This option will work best if you've create the design yourself. We recomend that you attend a few blitzes before you try and facilitate one on your own. It is harder than you might think to keep 25 people working!
• Hire a facilitator. In most cases, the designer Is the facilitator, because the designer will know the project the best. The facilitator is hired to manage the project for the day at his/her rate, usually that same as the designers rate. 

Click here for a list of designers.

Step 5 - Choose a date for your Blitz

Once you have decided on how to design your project, you need to choose a date for when the Permablitz will happen. You can then "post" your Permablitz date on the Calgary Permaculture Guild's website so that people can see your Blitz online and RSVP for it. As the Blitz gets closer, you need to make sure that all of the materials are set to arrive on the correct date. There is nothing worse than having 20 blitzers read to blitz with no materials to work with!. Alternatively you can hire the designer to coordinate all of the materials and marketing for you.

Cost

Changing over your lawn into a food forest and garden is no simple task, and will require a significant expenditure to purchase plants, materials, and design fees. You can expect the project to cost in the avenue of $1,500 to $4500, depending on the size, choice of plants, and materials you want to include in the project.