Zone 5: "The Wild Zone" Observation Workshop.

The workshop includes both theory and practical sessions. It includes presentations and easy educational walk and talk tours through the Forests, both on our ecovillage zone 5 forest and to the Mountain top Native Forest. You will see many plants, mushrooms, and animals that will amaze and inspire you. The walks will be conducted around La Meule Ecovillage which is rich with a diversity of special plants and animals, being surrounded by the Grand Port Mountain Range. These mountain tops are known as one of the last endemic forests of Mauritius and the most diverse place on the island, and during the workshop you will find out why.

The walks are relatively easy for the average persones. The area is home to many plants and animals that you will see such as the Kestrel, and Pailles-en-queue, Gekoes, bats, and other rare birds. The tree species are rich with some Ebony trees, Bois d'olive, and a range of others and we also have plants and shrubs that are rare and beautiful. During the workshop we hope you will see some of the wild animals such as the Cochon Marron (wild boar), deers, or groups of monkeys – of course we cannot guarantee but the chances are always there.

By the end of the tour you will enjoy lunch with us at our table d'hotes and enjoy a relaxing time and chats with like-minded people around a refreshing drinks and meal. This life experience will give you a greater understanding about plants and animals and the native environment. You will be able to identify a range of plants and animals, know more about their needs and behaviour and their role in the native environment. For Permaculturalists, this will give you a greater understanding of zone 5 – “The Wild Zone”, the role it plays in the total design system and particularly the importance of natural conservation and biodiversity.  This will enable you to go home knowing more about wild plants and animals in your backyard or community so you can better design for to meet their needs such as habitat and other requirements. This will be a fun packed hands-on experience with two passionate, very experienced and knowledgeable guides, and permaculture practitioners.

Day Schedule :

• 8h30 : Check-in
• 9h00-9h30 : Definition of the Permaculture Zone 5
• 10h00-11h00 : La Meule Zone 5 Forest Creek
• 11h00-11h15 : Refreshment/Forest Bathing
• 11h15-1h30 : Endemic Forest Tour
• 1h30-3h00 : Refreshments and Lunch
• 3h00-4h00 : Relaxed Farm Walk Tour
• 4h00-4h30 : Zone 5 and it's role in Permaculture thinking and design concepts

Drinks and finger snacks will be available at the bar as from 4:30 pm at affordable prices.

Camping facilities can be arranged on site for the night before the workshop, and on the Saturday night after the course.

⚠️ Workshops are French spoken but we can arrange English courses for a minimum group of 5 participants on week days. You can send us your requests via our contact page.

● Lunch :

Enjoy Lunch at our Ecovillage Table D'hôtes, and have a farm-to-table experience with Olivier & Anaïs as they will be most happy to introduce you there own experience and philosophies of a resilient lifestyle in connection with the natural ecosystems of their own farm gardens. Lunch includes:

• A Welcoming homemade Juice
• A Buffet lunch (Veg/Non-Veg)
• A Dessert
• And Coffee/Herbal Tea

● Outfit :

Plan a casual outfit to go to the gardens with ease. Boots, hats, and gardening gloves would also be recommended on the farm, as well as sunscreen, and a mosquitoe repellent.

● Accomodation Options :

• For people who wish to stay on-site over the weekend, accommodation is camping style on our camp ground.
• There is one powered container cabin family dormitory glamping style available at La Petite Ferme within our Ecovillage (to be booked for a fee). Contact Olivier on Whatsapp number: ☎ 5963 3495.

● Course location :

Terganic Permaculture Garden Farm forms an integral part of La Meule Permaculture Ecovillage.

Located near Bambou Virieux, this 5 acres magnificent farm has been created from bare ground and managed since 2015 as part of La Meule Ecovillage. It is the first ecovillage farm of its kind in Mauritius designed entirely with the permaculture design methods, where people and nature live in harmony. La Meule Ecovillage is a unique place of 27 acres including energy-independent dwellings, cultivation areas, ponds, enclosures for animals, and much more. The valley of Anse Bambous is a place of permaculture and agroecological experimentation and development of green agro-tourism. Please respect the place and its inhabitants.

● Access to the farm :

Please note that we have about 1 km of agricultural road (chemin cane) before reaching the farm. If you have a very low height car, please arrange accordingly. SUVs, 2x4 and 4x4 would be more appropriate.

● The Training will be animated by: 

Thierry Guimbeau, our farm manager and resident teacher: Born in Mauritius.  Thierry is certified in permaculture by Geoff Lawton (A world reference in the permaculture movement). Thierry completed his training in 2012 with a PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate), followed by a 2-month Internship at the Permaculture Research Institute, Zaytuna Farm, Australia. His Training included the following:

• A Biointensive Gardening Course (by Kay Baxter),
• A Seed Saving Course,(by Kay Baxter)
• A Compost Soil Biology & Natural Fertilizer Course (by Paul Taylor),
• A Permaculture Urban Landscape Design Course (by Geoff Lawton/Nick Huggins),
• A Permaculture Earthworks Course (by Geoff Lawton),
• A Permaculture Project Aid Works Course (by Geoff Lawton),and
• A Permaculture Teacher Training Course (by Geoff Lawton).

In addition to his teaching, Thierry also practices consulting and design services in permaculture.

He is a co-founder of La Meule Ecovillage and and founder/manager at Terganic Permaculture.