Jillian Hovey

Jillian is an experienced international permaculture teacher and a facilitator of regenerative systems design. She works creatively and collaboratively with others, applying whole systems design principles to a wide range of projects: from urban balconies, through natural buildings designed as organisms, with frequent application at the whole community scale.

Jillian founded the Sustainable Living Network in 1999 and serves as its Executive Director. Jillian formerly served directing the Ecovillage Network of The Americas and the Ecovillage Training Center at The Farm in Tennessee, and was involved in the first years of forming the Ecovillage Network of Canada.

Jillian holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, and is at the end of a Masters programme in Environmental Design from York University. She received her permaculture design training in 1996, and continues to pursue a wide range of trainings as part of her commitment to continually develop self-awareness and skills that deepen her practice as a facilitator, teacher, and guide.

Known for her deeply attentive and grounded facilitation skills, Jillian is a gifted teacher with sharp and integrated processing abilities. With over 20 years of experience, she designs and delivers high quality learning experiences in regenerative systems design, which can also be understood as Permaculture and Ecovillage design. These learning events also intend to support people in coming to greater awareness of self and “other”, with a view to growing an understanding of the often “invisible landscapes” of human ecology.

Jillian has taught at formal academic institutions such as the College of Environmental Design, UC Berkeley, and she has also designed and led programs at alternative institutions such as Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Vermont, and the Ecosa Institute for Regenerative Ecological Design in Arizona. She has led sessions at well over 100 eco events and conferences, and has served on several event design and facilitation teams. Through her courses, consulting and active participation in strategic and set-up meetings, Jillian is involved with supporting the international network across Canada, the United States, Central America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Jillian has a warm, present, and inclusive facilitation style, which coupled with the wealth of her experience and her passion for sustainability, helps to create a rich and supp