HOPLAND, Calif. – With humanity at a crossroads and facing unprecedented ecological and social challenges, now more than ever leaders and citizens from all sectors – from citizen activists to government officials – are joining together to collaborate to build more resilient, regenerative and flourishing communities.

The North American Permaculture & Building Resilient Communities Convergence is such a gathering.

The five-day conference, taking place Wednesday, Sept. 14, through Friday, Sept. 18, at the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, brings together an international framework of shared responsibility (Whole Community) permaculture designers, technology leaders, community social and environmental justice activists, green entrepreneurs, teachers, students and earth steward organizations.

Participants from Canada, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico the United States, and countries from Central America and beyond are joining together for an inspirational conference with common goals: design, build, and strengthen regenerative communities and habitats through collective knowledge and outcomes to support existing projects and crew opportunities for new initiatives, in accordance with nature, for humans, plants, animals, the greater bioregion and the Earth at large.

This year’s theme, “Building Bridges,” will guide and inspire the convergence conversations, workshops, and outcomes towards creating more strength, interconnection, and resiliency within our bioregional communities, systems, and relationships while focusing on the bridges which exist between permaculture and other regenerative agriculture movements; local and global movements; ancient and Indigenous practices with modern technologies; youth and elders; rural and urban regions; racial and ethnic inclusion; and social justice and environmental movements.

The North American Permaculture Convergence is the focus from Wednesday through Friday with speakers, lectures and breakout groups as the primary activities.

The Building Resilient Communities Convergence begins Friday and runs through Sunday – expect a weekend chock-full of inspiration workshops, speakers, music and much more.

Confirmed keynote speakers and workshop presenters include Penny Livingston-Stark (Regenerative Design Institute), Starhawk (author and activist), Warren Brush (Quail Springs Permaculture), Toby Hemenway, Max Meyers (Nor Cal Aquaponics), Brandi Mack (Butterfly Movement), Wanda Stewart (Obsidian Farm), Jasmine Fuego (Permaculture Action Network), Andrew Langford (Gaia University), Alejandra Liora Adler (Gaia University) and Trathen Heckman (Daily Acts).

The convergence will include more than 100 presenters, more than eight stages, 10-plus tracks, 60-plus workshops, panel discussions and breakout sessions.

Attendees from across a wide spectrum of skill-sets will have the opportunity to exchange ideas through concurrent workshops and discussions ranging from organic agriculture and wildcrafting to natural building and appropriate technologies; environmental remediation and disaster preparedness to community organizing and global justice.

In addition to a plethora of workshops and amazing speakers on a diversity of topics, there will also dedicated areas for skill sharing, collaborative discussions, children's activities, educational displays, and specialist vendors.

Participants will have opportunities to socialize, network, and connect with others in this field through meals and the activities listed above.

For more information visit http://northamericanpermaculture.org/ .