Our History
The Permaculture Calgary Guild (PCG) was officially established as a non-profit organization in May 2011, growing from a passionate community of individuals dedicated to promoting permaculture ethics, principles and practices throughout Calgary and the surrounding region.
Building Community Through Connection
From our early days, the PCG has recognized that transformative change happens through community. Rather than focusing on individual self-sufficiency, we emphasize building community sufficiency—creating networks of mutual support and shared resources.
We’ve fostered these connections among like-minded individuals through our popular social events, including our monthly Permie Drinks gatherings and Local Food suppers, which bring together permaculture enthusiasts, urban gardeners, and environmental advocates. Our Annual Cabin Fever events have become a beloved tradition, offering warmth, learning, and community following Calgary’s winter months.
Collaborative Partnerships
The Guild’s impact has been amplified through meaningful partnerships with aligned organizations throughout the city. Over the years, we’ve engaged in fruitful collaborations, including our work with the Green Sanctuary at the Unitarian Church, where we co-hosted educational movie nights and developed the PCG Tool Trailer, a resource that makes gardening tools and equipment accessible to our community members.
We’ve also built strong relationships with established allies like CommunityWise Resource Centre, the Arusha Centre and SunnyCider, while developing more recent partnerships with Highfield Regenerative Farm, the Calgary Climate Hub, and the Land Lovers – Bow Bioregion network. Together, these collaborative relationships work toward building a more resilient Calgary.
Supporting Local Regenerative Businesses
PCG champions local businesses that align with permaculture ethics and practices. We proudly support holistic enterprises throughout our region, helping to connect our community members with resources and services that contribute to Calgary’s growing regenerative economy.
Grassroots Advocacy and Action
PCG has been instrumental in nurturing and supporting grassroots programs that make a tangible difference in our community. We’ve been proud supporters of the Calgary Harvest program since 2009, helping to reduce food waste while addressing food security in our city.
Our advocacy efforts have also focused on expanding urban agriculture opportunities. The Calgary Backyard Chickens campaign from 2020-2022 demonstrated our commitment to nurturing local food resiliency, while our ongoing support of Seedy Saturday continues to promote seed sovereignty and garden knowledge sharing.
Looking Forward
For over a decade, the Permaculture Calgary Guild has been at the forefront of Calgary's regenerative movement, building community, fostering education, and advocating for policies that support resilient living and ecosystems. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to the permaculture ethics of earth care, people care, and fair share that have guided us since our founding.