What do plants tell us: Introduction to Permaculture
Sunday morning, August 31st - Basecamp IJmuiden, Netherlands
In a weekend dominated by the roar of the Formula 1 race, we invite you to discover something entirely different: a hidden dune landscape where you hear the silent voice of nature. Join permaculture designer Sylvia Avontuur for an inspiring morning that will transform how you see the natural world around you.
We start in the greenhouse at Basecamp, where we'll gather over coffee and tea to explore the ethics and principles of permaculture. You'll discover how this design philosophy, rooted in thousands of years of indigenous knowledge, offers practical solutions for creating sustainable ways of living by working with nature rather than against it. Inge Weeda, Outdoor Manager, will share how she transformed the parking lot into fertile soil.
The real learning begins when we step outside to explore the remarkable dune landscape of IJmuiden and discover the incredible diversity hidden in plain sight. At first glance, this industrial harbor town might seem dominated by steel and concrete, but tucked away behind sea buckthorn thickets lies a treasure: a wet dune valley teeming with distinctive plant life.
Here you'll find the Marsh orchid and the white Parnassia flower with its unique hermaphroditic flower (has both male and female organs). On sunny days you'll see rare butterflies and smell the scent of wild mint. Sylvia will guide you along hidden paths to her favorite spots, showing you how to read landscapes through their plant communities and revealing the intricate relationships and collaborations that make ecosystems thrive.
This isn't just about identifying plants—it's about understanding how natural systems work and stay resilient. The same processes that shape these wild landscapes can inspire how we approach our gardens, our work, and even our relationships.
The dunes are shaped by wind, water, and time, with pioneer plants gradually creating conditions for shrubs, woody vegetation, and eventually forests. These natural patterns offer practical lessons for anyone interested in working with nature rather than against it.
As we walk, you'll learn to recognize how sandy soils support drought-tolerant native species, how windy coastal conditions favor certain plants, and how wet spots become havens for moisture-loving dune valley flora. This knowledge transforms how we approach our own spaces—instead of fighting local conditions, we learn to read and work with them.
Who is this for? Anyone curious about how nature works and stays resilient. Whether you're interested in ecological gardening, sustainable living, or just want to spend a morning outdoors, this introduction offers new ways of seeing how everything in an ecosystem connects— and how fragile that balance can be when disrupted.
After the guided walk, you can continue at your own pace along the beach, perhaps stopping for lunch at Hightide or Makai. Dogs are welcome on the beach but cannot access the sensitive wet valley areas.
About Basecamp
Basecamp IJmuiden sits within the Kennemerstrand nature area, walking distance from both IJmuiden beach and Kennermermeer. This off-grid eco-resort experiments with sustainable living through tiny houses, renewable energy, water collection systems, and composting toilets. The site features a greenhouse and developing permaculture gardens growing heirloom varieties and unusual fruits. Scattered throughout the grounds, you'll discover striking artworks by Atelier van Lieshout, including the massive "Domestikator" sculpture that once stood before Centre Pompidou, exploring the tension between human domestication and wild nature.
About your guide
Six years ago, Sylvia Avontuur transformed her life, after selling her marketing communications agency in Amsterdam to reconnect with the natural world. After completing her Permaculture Design Course in Portugal, she worked on several regenerative projects. Her specialty is Syntropic food forest design, for which she studied with Ernst Götsch. Now she helps others discover nature's complexity and beauty through workshops, coaching, and the design of edible landscapes and community gardens. Sylvia is a dune garden coach for the project www.jouwduintuin.nl of IVN and Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland.
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a design philosophy that learns from nature to create sustainable ways of living. Formalized by David Holmgren and Bill Mollison in 1970s Australia, it builds on thousands of years of Traditional Ecological Knowledge from Indigenous peoples worldwide. Its three core ethics guide all decisions: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share for future generations.
Date: Sunday, August 31st
Time: 10:30 welcome at Basecamp. 11:00 Start introduction and walk until 12:30
Location: Basecamp
Language: English with Dutch support
Sign up via email: sylvia@cityplot.org
Guide: Sylvia Avontuur www.unfoldingnature.com
Cost: €30
Minimum participants: 6, maximum 12
What to bring: Wear shoes that can get wet and long pants
Private workshops available on request.
Cityplot cancellation policy
