Penny has been teaching internationally and working professionally in the land management, regenerative design permaculture development field for 30 years and has extensive experience in all phases of ecologically sound design and construction as well as the use of natural non-toxic building materials. She specializes in site planning design of resource rich landscapes integrating, rainwater collection, agroforestry systems, edible and medicinal planting, spring development, pond and water systems, habitat development and watershed restoration for homes, farms, co-housing communities and businesses. She is currently teaching online courses with Ecoversity and the Permaculture Skills Center.

She co-created the Ecological Design Program and its curriculum at the San Francisco Institute of Architecture and co-founded the West Marin Grower’s Group, West Marin Farmer’s Market and the Community Land Trust Association of Marin. Penny has also worked with the Marin County Community Development Agency Planning Department to develop recommendations on sustainability for updating the Community Plan. She is currently serving a 4 year position on the Building Appeals Board for the Community Development Agency and Building Department of the County of Marin. She consulted with grey-water professionals throughout the state of California to help develop grey-water standards for the state.

She is also a founding member of the Natural Building Network, a national consortium of professional natural builders, creating innovations in straw bale, cob, timberframe, light clay, natural non-toxic interior finishes and other methods utilizing natural and bio-regionally appropriate materials for construction.

Penny is a founding board member of the Redwood Empire Chapter of the US Green Building Council. Visit her website at  www.pennylivingston.com  for more information about her and her work.