Why is Marine Permaculture so important?
Permaculture practices on the water aren't as widespread as permaculture on land. YET. Marine permaculture practices may prove to be vitally more important than land practices because of the ocean's influence on climate, fisheries and for its carbon sink potential. In short, the greenhouse effect warms the upper layer of ocean water and thermal expansion occurs, altering the density of the ocean water and thus how surface ocean currents flow. The deep ocean current global conveyor belt, also driven by differences in temperature and salinity, originates at the poles when heavier, frozen salt water sinks, jumpstarting the large flows of deep sea water upwelling around the planet. As the ice caps melt also due to the greenhouse effect, the deep water cycle is disrupted. The deep ocean current cycle is critical to the world's food chain as nutrient-depleted surface waters are replenished by carbon-dioxide and nutrient rich deep waters, and thus algae and seaweeds are renewed. Plankton, forage fish, salmon and cetaceans all depend on this food chain web nutrient replenishment cycle. Permaculturists are well-versed in the importance of coastlines and ecosystem interfaces like land and sea, and presently 40% of the world's population lives within 100 kilometers of a coastline. According to the World Health Organization, about 1 billion people depend on local fisheries to meet their primary protein needs. Ocean currents also helps regulate local weather systems along with tides and winds.
We have the opportunity to partner with Dr. Brian Von Herzen and the Climate Foundation to support a rich, abundant Salish Sea. To help fund our work, visit our donation page:
www.onsacredgroundlandtrust.org/donate.html
Why we work with Coast Salish tribes & support Canoe Journey
- We integrate cultures in the Salish Sea to re-forge healthy, mutually supportive relationships that were historically strained while cultural genocide was perpetuated by colonialism.
- Canoe culture is social permaculture and representative of the permaculture ethic: Care of People. Understanding canoe culture as the vital element to Coast Salish cultures helps us understand a people.
- Travel on the water by human and wind power teaches leadership, teamwork, softens our fossil fuel footprint, and provides a vessel for marine environmental science and naturalist skills.
- Wildlife viewing is non-invasive without engine noise or exhaust, and in respectful, recommended distances for viewing.
- Canoe culture is social permaculture and representative of the permaculture ethic: Care of People. Understanding canoe culture as the vital element to Coast Salish cultures helps us understand a people.
- Travel on the water by human and wind power teaches leadership, teamwork, softens our fossil fuel footprint, and provides a vessel for marine environmental science and naturalist skills.
- Wildlife viewing is non-invasive without engine noise or exhaust, and in respectful, recommended distances for viewing.
Header photo: Canoe Mini-Journey landing at Camp Orkila in Samish & Stillaguamish canoes
Photo Above: Kaigani, a 46' Polynesian outrigger canoe transports Spring Street International School 6th graders for their class trip in Garrison Bay, San Juan Island, Washington State
Photo Below: Island Rec youth in the San Juan Islands raft up 'Xwecheng', a Lummi Nation designed and mentored canoe constructed with Spring Street school students, and Kaigani.
Photo Above: Kaigani, a 46' Polynesian outrigger canoe transports Spring Street International School 6th graders for their class trip in Garrison Bay, San Juan Island, Washington State
Photo Below: Island Rec youth in the San Juan Islands raft up 'Xwecheng', a Lummi Nation designed and mentored canoe constructed with Spring Street school students, and Kaigani.
