Join us for an immersive two-day workshop led by renowned educator Helder Valente at Vale Ondula, a living example of permaculture in action. This course focuses on sustainable water management, offering practical skills to design systems that capture, store, and utilize water efficiently. Through hands-on activities and group discussions, you'll learn techniques to enhance water retention and support ecological balance on your land.

What You’ll Learn

• Water Harvesting Techniques: Designing systems to capture and store rainwater efficiently.

• Swales and Contour Systems: Implementing earthworks to slow, spread, and sink water.

• Pond Design and Management: Creating aquatic ecosystems that support biodiversity.

• Greywater Systems: Reusing household water for irrigation purposes.

• Water-wise Planting: Selecting and arranging plants to optimize water usage.

  
  

Each session combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring you gain the skills to implement these systems in your own projects.

About the Facilitator

Helder Valente is a globally recognized permaculture designer and educator. He studied directly with pioneers such as Bill Mollison, Geoff Lawton, and Rosemary Morrow, and has taught courses and designed projects across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. As founder of the New School Permaculture, Helder is known for his engaging, practical, and inspiring approach that blends deep ecological knowledge with real-world solutions.

About Vale Ondula

Vale Ondula is a permaculture living lab and eco-community located in the lush forests of Northern Portugal. As stewards of 3.6 hectares of land, the community is reimagining food systems, water management, and energy resilience while cultivating a culture of sustainable living and mutual care. With its mix of families, volunteers, and visiting learners, Vale Ondula is an inspiring hub for permaculture education and experimentation.

What’s Included

• All course materials

• Daily theory sessions combined with hands-on practical classes (09:00-13:00h & 15:00-19:00h)

• 3 healthy vegetarian meals per day

• A space to pitch your tent at Vale Ondula during the course

  
  

What to Bring

• Tent, sleeping bag, and camping gear—or rent our fully equipped motorhome for your stay.

• Notebook and pens for design work

• Comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for outdoor activities

• Personal water bottle

• Snacks / fruit

• An open mind and willingness to learn together

Contribution

• Supportive: €150

• Fair: €125

• Minimum: €100

Expand Your Learning with Other Courses at Vale Ondula

This Water Course connects with two other powerful learning experiences at Vale Ondula:

• Permaculture Design Course (10-day, 26 Sept. - 5 Oct.): A full foundation in permaculture, covering ecological design, soil, water, food forests, and more. [Learn more →]

• Permaculture Forest Course (2-day, 7–11 October): Hands-on training in food forest design and implementation. [Learn more →]

Join all three courses — the Design Course, Forest Course, and Water Course — and you will earn an Internship Certificate, recognising your deeper engagement with permaculture practice.

RSVP Required

Spaces are limited. Secure your spot by registering here.

Dive into Water Wisdom

Join us to explore the essential role of water in permaculture design. Gain practical skills and knowledge to create sustainable water systems that support both people and the planet. We look forward to welcoming you to Vale Ondula for this transformative experience!