From the land of rolling prairie and high plains comes a lively update from Transition OKC in Oklahoma on their recent Training for Transition and Permablitz event. Transition OKC is the 27th official Transition Intiative to kick off in the US. Transition OKC acts as a catalyst for Oklahoma City's transition to local resilience: strong local communities, sustainable local systems (food, energy, etc.), and resilient local economies. Wondering what a permablitz is? Read on!

Plains Dwellers Train for Transition

On Sat., April 11, Transition OKC kicked off our first Training 4 Transition with a continental breakfast and getting-to-know-you fun. Here on the rolling prairie and high plains where the erratic Oklahoma weather can teach you a thing or two about the need for resilience, we were excited to immerse ourselves in thinking about how to catalyze the transition, and with 18 folks in attendance, nine women and nine men (serendipity), plus our fearless trainers Bill Aal and Zaida Amaral, we had a grand time doing so.

We learned a great deal about Transition and each other, and brainstormed about how to help Oklahoma City become more sustainable, healthy and resilient. You’ll notice in the slideshow that for many of us shedding our shoes just seemed natural, and some of us got a little crazy too.

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped coordinate, to the Oklahoma Disciples Foundation for the use of their space, to Rose Ranch for hosting our festive Saturday evening potluck and Zaida and Bill for being such terrific guides.

Transition OKC Training slideshow

From Bermuda Grass to Food Production: Permablitz! 

On Sat., April 24th, twelve hands-on permaculture workshop participants came together to transform 300 square feet of Bermuda grass, mud and weeds into a productive edible landscape.

Eventually, this permablitzed landscape will yield more than 100 pounds of fruit, shade the driveway, channel runoff from the roof into an irrigation stream, provide beautiful flowers, and serve as a showcase for front-yard gardening and edible landscaping.

Our workshop leader was Randy Marks, Transition OKC and Sustainable OKC board member and owner of Land + Form sustainable land design and the event was organized and hosted by Transition OKC co-chair, Christine Patton.  

Permablitz slideshow

-

Thanks Shauna Struby for this update!

For more info about Transition OKC, visit http://www.goinglocalokc.com

View the upcoming schedule of trainings or better yet host a training in your community.