In times of uncertainty and division, it can feel overwhelming to imagine a brighter future. The challenges we face—climate change, social inequity, economic instability—can leave us feeling powerless. But within these difficulties lies an opportunity to reconnect with the systems that sustain us: our land, our communities, and our values. The permaculture principles offer a framework for hope and action, helping us design systems that heal and sustain. By applying these principles, we can find meaningful ways to move forward, even in the face of daunting challenges.
This is the first of a 12-part series breaking down the permaculture principles, as defined by David Holmgren in Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability. Each article will explore one principle in depth, offering insights and practical applications. We begin with the foundation of all effective design: Observe and Interact.
Observe and Interact
Permaculture begins with observation. The principle Observe and Interact tells us that effective design starts with understanding the unique characteristics of a site, project, or situation, and how its elements interact.
Observation lays the groundwork for thoughtful and informed decision-making, allowing us to identify problem areas as well as what’s working before deciding what to change.
By engaging deliberately with what we observe, we uncover the strengths, weaknesses, and potential within a system. For example, observing water flowing into the street might reveal an opportunity to create a rain garden.
Related Proverb
Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder
For each permaculture principle, Holmgren attached a proverb to help illustrate the intended meaning. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” means that observation is subjective, and in that way, it shapes reality. So, it’s important to remain mindful of biases and cautious about claiming universal truths.
Observe
Observation isn’t passive. It’s the first step to informed action. Through thoughtful observation, we can identify opportunities where others might only see challenges.
Interact
Interaction bridges the gap between observation and action. Once you’ve noticed what’s happening, the next step is to engage with your environment. Interaction is iterative—you make a change, observe the results, and adjust as needed.
Put Them Together
By pairing observation with thoughtful interaction, you create feedback loops that refine your understanding and improve your designs over time. This iterative process is at the heart of permaculture—working with nature, not against it.
Connections to Other Principles and Concepts
Many of the permaculture principles connect inextricably to each other. This is particularly true for Observe and Interact, illustrating how observation informs and complements various aspects of design. This includes principles from Holmgren’s 12 principles and earlier variations by Mollison and Slay. For example:
Holmgren’s Principles
Design from Patterns to Details
This principle recommends designing big-picture concepts first and filling in the details later. This prevents designing the wrong details that don’t fit into the big picture.
Observation helps us identify the overarching patterns in nature (or any existing system) and guides us to develop designs that align with them.
Small and Slow Solutions
The principle small and slow solutions is about making small, incremental changes over time rather than massive changes all at once. Observing systems over time ensures that changes are measured, thoughtful, and sustainable.
Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback
This principle is about being open to feedback and adjusting actions accordingly for the betterment of the system. Interaction generates feedback that informs future observations and actions so that systems adapt and improve over time.
Mollison and Slay’s Principles
Relative Location
Mollison’s principle of relative location says that permaculture’s foundation is design, and design is all about the connections between elements.
Effective observation is key to placing elements in ways that foster beneficial interactions, such as situating a chicken coop near a plant that provides fodder for the chickens.
Each Element Performs Multiple Functions
Each element of a system should perform as many functions as possible.
Observing the multifunctional potential of individual elements encourages designs that maximize efficiency.
Efficient Energy Planning
This principle is all about permaculture zones and sectors.
Obtaining an understanding of how these permaculture concepts apply on a specific site requires thoughtful observation of the site, the forces acting on it, and its patterns of use.
The Problem Is the Solution
Although it’s not one of his permaculture principles, Mollison often emphasized this concept. The Problem Is the Solution means that frequently we can solve our problems in ways that actually flip the problem into a benefit.
This ties directly to Observe and Interact. Observing what appears to be a problem can reveal opportunities to create solutions that work with the system.
For example, observing excess water accumulation might lead to the creation of a pond that supports wildlife, irrigation, or aquaculture. Or, observing an overabundance of grasshoppers might lead to moving a chicken tractor, which solves the grasshopper problem, provides food for the chickens, and fertilizes the soil.
This approach helps us see challenges as design opportunities rather than obstacles, and careful observation is the first step.
Observe and Interact in Practice
Observation and interaction aren’t just tools for gardeners—they apply to any system you want to improve. The key is starting with careful observation, taking deliberate actions based on what you learn, and refining your approach as you gain insight.
Practical Applications
In a Home Garden
Begin by observing seasonal changes, like sun and shade patterns, or how water drains after a storm. Observe how the site is currently used—patterns of traffic, how frequently elements are accessed, etc. Use this information to plan element placements and connections.
In a Community Project
Listen to local stakeholders and observe how spaces are used. Interaction might mean organizing a small trial event or installing temporary features to gauge responses before committing to a larger project.
In Daily Life
Look at routines or resources you interact with regularly. Could a small change—like meal prepping or repurposing leftover materials—create better outcomes?
Reflecting Back on Ethics
The focus on observation and interaction helps us stay aligned with the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share.
Periodically reassessing a project through the lens of these ethics helps keep it aligned with its original goals and values. Observation allows you to detect drift—such as practices that might inadvertently harm the environment or exclude people—and interaction provides the opportunity to course-correct in real-time, keeping the project rooted in permaculture’s foundational ethics.
Conclusion
Observe and Interact reminds us that every site and system has its own story to tell. By taking the time to listen, we gain a deeper understanding of its needs and potential.
Thoughtful interaction allows us to transform that understanding into meaningful change, guided by permaculture’s core ethics.
This principle isn’t just the starting point for permaculture design—it’s a lifelong practice. Whether you’re creating a food forest, managing community projects, or improving your daily life, the process of observing and interacting builds resilience, encourages creativity, and ensures your actions align with your values. When we truly see the systems we interact with, we can create solutions that are not only effective but also deeply connected to the world around us.
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