The Calgary Permaculture community is mourning the loss of a true inspirational leader and all around fantastic human. Lisa Patterson, our long-term President of the Permaculture Calgary Guild, died on October 4, 2024.
Lisa Patterson was President of the PCG from April 2016 until her departure in 2023. Prior to that, she served as Vice President (2015/16) and led the ContainR initiative, initially known as the Sunnyside Permaculture Garden Project, which began in 2013 and ran until 2021.
She had an incredible gift – the gift of connecting people and building community. She was passionate about Cabin Fever, the PCG’s signature annual community-building event, and worked hard to make it an outstanding experience for all who attended.
It was fun to be on the PCG Board under her leadership, and the Guild held consistent monthly events, such as Permie Drinks, potluck dinners with Verge Permaculture, and Movie Nights.
With her participation, the PCG became part of the Calgary Climate Hub conversations, Earth Hour with the Arusha Centre, and the Local Food Supper, an annual harvest dinner at the Unitarian Church.
Lisa founded the Calgary Backyard Chicken group which worked with the City of Calgary to change the bylaws to allow chickens to be raised within the city. What a campaign that was! T-shirts and chicken walks at all the events and then in 2021 – success!
She walked the talk. She fought for things she believed in. She didn’t put up with bullshit. She put in the work, even when it was hard. She never gave up. She contributed. She believed in making the world, and her community a better place.
Lisa lived lightly on the land, in an off-grid, straw bale house near Okotoks with her partner John, and children Lucas and Nicola. They raised sheep, and sold the lambs to eager, repeat buyers, and always brought delicious lamb stew to our potlucks. She made mead from the bees they hosted on their land, and shared it generously. She grew plants from seed in her big, south-facing windows and tiny greenhouse and sold them at plant exchanges, or installed them in her clients’ gardens, through her company Sunny Tree Gardening. Her tomatoes were highly sought after!
But at the same time, her footprints were big and she was an inspiration to all who met her. Our community has deeply benefitted from having her as a part of it. She will be greatly missed.