Living Systems Design & Training

Living Systems Design

I provide ecological consultancy, design, and training for individuals, families, public sector, businesses, and communities to create regenerative, resilient, and sustainable living systems. Through nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, permaculture and regenerative practices, I co-create thriving landscapes that restore healthy soils and hydrological cycles, nurture biodiversity, support human wellbeing, and strengthen resilience in a changing climate.

My work is grounded in the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, caring for the living systems that sustain us, supporting the wellbeing of people and communities, and sharing resources responsibly to create a more abundant and regenerative future.

Ecological consultancy, design & training

#01 Food Sovereignty

Healthy food systems begin with healthy ecosystems. Through soil regeneration, the integration of local resources, place-based knowledge, and ecological growing principles, I design and guide solutions that transform urban spaces and rural landscapes into thriving regenerative food systems that nourish people, increase resilience, and restore human relationship with nature.

My services include:

Location-adapted food production for urban and rural locations selecting crops suited to climate, space, and goals.
Permaculture-based growing strategies using diversity, companion planting, stacking functions, and closed-loop systems to create resilient landscapes.
Regenerative soil and microbiome practices to restore fertility, improve soil biology, and support healthier food systems.
Seasonal planning and cultivation guidance including planting cycles, crop rotations, seed selection, and growing techniques.
Wild food, medicinal plant, and resource identification to increase self-reliance, well-being and connection with the local environment.

#02 Water Resilience

Healthy landscapes begin with healthy water cycles. As desertification spreads and water becomes increasingly scarce, we need to capture, store, reuse, and regenerate every drop where it falls. I provide consultancy services to reduce water footprints and restore local hydrological cycles, creating productive, resilient landscapes that capture water, cycle nutrients, support healthy ecosystems, increase food production, and build long-term resilience.

My services include:

Water-efficient strategies for homes, gardens, communities and productive landscapes.
Rainwater harvesting and storage using tanks, ponds, and landscape features that slow, spread, and sink water.
Wastewater filtration and reuse to safely return water to the land, improve soil fertility, and support productive vegetation.
Drinking water filtration for urban homes, communities and rural properties.
Landscape rehydration through earthworks and nature-based solutions that increase infiltration, recharge aquifers, and reduce erosion.

#03 Biodiverse Landscapes

Thriving landscapes are built on biodiversity. As habitats become increasingly fragmented and species continue to decline, restoring ecological balance is essential for healthy, resilient ecosystems. I provide services to regenerate natural landscapes and enhance urban and rural biodiversity, creating resilient environments that support flourishing flora, fungi, fauna, healthier soils, and thriving ecosystems for generations to come.

My services include:

Habitat design, including hedgerows, ponds, green structures, wetlands, nesting sites, and ecological corridors for pollinators and native species.
Native planting schemes using locally appropriate trees, shrubs, and wildflowers to strengthen ecological networks.
Agroforestry and silvopasture systems that integrate trees and shrubs into productive landscapes while increasing biodiversity and resilience.
Regenerative forest management to restore healthy woodlands that enhance biodiversity, productivity and ecosystem resilience.
Soil and fungal restoration to rebuild living soils and support healthy mycorrhizal ecosystems.

#04 Renewable Energy & Low-impact Living

By combining renewable energy systems, ecological building practices, energy-efficient design, and sustainable heating and cooling solutions, we can lower emissions, reduce energy costs, and create healthy, comfortable spaces that are resilient, resource-efficient and built to last. I provide services for homes, farms, eco-developments, and community projects in transiting to practical, low-impact living.

My services include:

Energy efficiency strategies for urban and rural properties to reduce energy demand and improve comfort.
Solar energy consultancy, including photovoltaic panels, solar thermal water heating, and battery storage.
Sustainable heating and ecological building, including passive design, and natural low-impact technologies, sources and materials.
Composting systems to transform organic waste into valuable renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Circular resource planning to reduce waste and maximise the reuse of materials, water, and nutrients.
Off-grid and resilient living solutions, integrating renewable energy, water systems, and resource-efficient technologies.

#05 Living Hubs, Community Gardens & Training

Shared green spaces bring people together, fostering connection, learning, and stewardship of the land. Through participatory design and hands-on practices, I help co-create productive, inclusive places that encourage sustainable living, enhance ecosystem services. I provide consultancy, co-creation, and training services for individuals, communities, schools, organisations, municipalities, and eco-developments.

My services include:

Placemaking and participatory design for living hubs, community gardens, schools, public spaces and other shared green spaces.
Co-creation and facilitation of living hubs that support experimentation, learning, and community resilience.
Community garden design that maximises space, food production, biodiversity and integrates local resources and accessibility.
Long-term stewardship strategies that empower communities to manage, maintain, and evolve shared spaces for lasting social and ecological benefits.
Permaculture education, workshops, and training for individuals, communities, organisations, and professionals.

My story

I grew up in Sweden with the forest around the corner and a mother devoted to the beauty of plants. Nature was my best friend as a child, both in good and difficult times at home or in school. The trees, moss and ants accepted me as I was. They calmed my nervous system and taught me to trust myself, everything would turn out fine, as long as I maintained the connection. But it wasn’t until my late 30s that I found my way back, after periods of loss, grief and repetitive strain injury from computer work.

I reconnected with Mother Earth and the life force she represents. I understood what I had been missing. In exchange for her care, for me and all the living, I decided to protect her in return. By a coincidence, I came in contact with permaculture gardening, and I clicked with its ethics and tools. On that route, I continue today with offering my services in designing, restoring, supporting thriving ecosystems for the wellbeing of the living planet and humanity.

Experience

Project management, Ecological design & Nature-based solutions
2021 – Present
Galaxy of OM, Catalonia, Spain
Create a pilot project for sustainable and innovative off-grid living, regenerating soil and ecosystem services, protecting biodiversity, and increasing resilience to climate change.

Develop 100% solar-powered sustainable housing
Soil regeneration for organic farming
Landscape design for increased water resilience
Rainwater harvesting, storage & drop-irrigation
Eco-filtration of well water and wastewater for reuse
Wildlife & biodiversity protection
Forest resilience and regeneration
Medicinal herb resources and remedies
Recreational services (see Paradisi Life)

Regenerative Living Lab Host & Educator
2023 – Present
Can Petel, Catalonia, Spain
Immersive educational host for an international community of volunteering practical learners in permaculture, nature-based solutions & climate change mitigation.

Permaculture gardening
Pruning & Orchard maintenance
Forest management
Ecological building & maintenance
Harvesting, foraging & preservation
Water storage & wastewater treatment
Chicken coop construction

Co-creator of Xarxa Regenerativa
2023 – Present
Can Petel, Catalonia, Spain
Building a local community focused on sustainability and regenerative living see xarxaregenerativa.org.

Urban Food Farmer & Gardener
2018 – 2021
Community garden, Tiana, Barcelona, Spain

2014 – 2017
Allotment, Brighton, UK

Brighton Permaculture Trust
2014 – 2016
Volunteering in initiatives like Orchard Without Borders (sustainable food systems), tree planting and pruning, community gardening, and raising funding for the fruit factory.

Education

ACADEMIC STUDIES

Sustainable Development
Uppsala University (online), 2024
Topics of study and research:

Ecosystem services and biodiversity
Climate change, water supply, and energy systems
Lifestyle issues, leadership roles, and policymaking
Ethics, health, cultural patterns, globalization and technological development
Sustainable Development Goals
Nature-based solutions

Master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies, focusing on Climate Action
Malmo University (online), 2022
Topics of study and research:

Participatory design for regenerating green urban spaces
Creative industries & Sustainable fashion
Environmental documentaries & Social movement
Collaborative media for off-grid and self-sufficient living (thesis)

COURSES

Permaculture Teacher Training
12pdesign (online), 2025
A Rosemary Morrow course taught by Alfred Decker in collaboration with the Permaculture Association of Britain.

Design short and long courses
Develop and deliver clear course outcomes and concepts
Transform classrooms into dynamic, participatory learning spaces
Hands-on experience in teaching online and in-person
Inclusive and diverse collaborations
Financial planning and marketing of courses

Ecosystem Restoration Design
Gaia Education (online), 2021

Restoring Natural zones (temperate and tropical forests, deserts, and oceans)
Restoring Agricultural zones (agroforestry, holistic grazing, ocean agriculture and regenerative agriculture)
Restoring Urban zones (community gardens, permaculture, urban waterways, corridors, tiny forests, sustainable homes)
Business Models for Ecosystem Restoration
Practical Restoration Plan (socio-economic, political, and ecological aspects)

Vertical Gardens and Green Roofs
Treebox (UK) and Verdtical (ES), 2016
Certificate in designing and installing green walls

Orchard Design, Planting and Pruning
Brighton Permaculture Trust (UK), 2015

Fruit tree selection
Planting techniques
Disease management & pruning techniques
Forest gardens in public spaces
Preservation methods

RHS Practical Horticulture, Levels 1 & 2
Plumpton College (UK), 2014-2015

RHS Certificates in Practical Horticulture, and Principles of Plant Growth and Development.

Plant Identification
Plant Establishment & Propagation
Plant Health, Care & Pruning
Turf Establishment & Maintenance
Garden Feature Maintenance

PDC, Permaculture Design Certificate Course
Patrick Whitefield Associates (UK), 2014

Permaculture principles & gardening
Design methods
Listening to the landscape
Soil and mulching
Water
Woodland and windbreaks
Orchards & Perennial Vegetables
Biodiversity
Energy buildings
Rural landscapes & Community gardens

Ethical framework

Earth Care
Earth Care is the foundation of permaculture. It is about regenerating the living systems that sustain us by restoring soils, protecting biodiversity, conserving water, and working in partnership with nature rather than against it.

People Care
People Care recognizes that healthy communities depend on healthy ecosystems. By meeting our needs in ways that regenerate the land, we create resilient, abundant, and connected places where both people and nature can thrive.

Fair Share
Fair Share encourages us to use resources wisely, share surplus, and return what we can to the Earth and our communities. It is an ethic of reciprocity that promotes balance, equity, and the long-term wellbeing of all living systems.

Marie Glad