About us
Our mission, approach, and the team!
Our mission
We are committed to supporting parents, educators and communities with regenerative practices and resources that honour the wisdom of First Nations and Indigenous peoples, empower children to be active stewards of the Earth and regenerate our shared future.
We fast-track local resilience and co-create systems rooted in care, respect and reciprocity.
Our approach
Our approach is grounded in ecological literacy, project-based learning and respect for diverse ways of knowing.
We support families and educators in cultivating living classrooms that reflect whole systems thinking and foster creativity, critical thinking and environmental responsibility.
By reimagining our backyards as spaces of connection and learning, children build meaningful relationships with the Earth and each other—growing knowledge, empathy and agency.
Meet the team
Meet the core team of Plant Schooling – we are a small team of educators, facilitators and people that like getting things done!
Lucy Legan
Permaculture Educator & Author of Planet Schooling
Lucy Legan is a distinguished environmental educator and gardener who has been a driving force in sustainability education for decades. As co-founder of Ecocentro IPEC in Brazil, she has devoted her life to building community through ecological awareness, regenerative living and hands-on education. Her passion for nurturing the Earth shines through in her best-selling book, Planet Schooling: How to Create a Permaculture Living Laboratory in Your Backyard—a practical, inspiring guide for families ready to weave environmental action into daily life. With her deep expertise and accessible storytelling, Lucy is a sought-after speaker, captivating audiences worldwide with her unwavering commitment to a greener, more resilient future.
André Soares
Permaculture Design & Natural Building Expert
André Soares is a seasoned Permaculture Designer and educator with over 28 years of international experience, having taught courses and led projects across four continents. As a co-founder of Ecocentro IPEC in Brazil, he has been instrumental in building one of Latin America’s most influential centres for sustainability, education and community-based ecological design. From 2005 to 2016, André served as Sustainability Director of Portugal’s renowned Boom Festival, where he pioneered large-scale eco-initiatives and cultivated a culture of environmental stewardship that reached audiences from over 70 countries. His passion for regenerative living and systems thinking continues to inspire individuals and communities worldwide to design with nature and embrace a sustainable future.
Laila Helena
Permaculture Educator & Health Expert
Laila Helena is a degree-qualified naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist with a deep passion for empowering families to thrive through natural health. Her journey with permaculture began in childhood, growing up at Ecocentro IPEC, where she experienced a rich life of travel and homeschooling. At just nine years old, she completed her first Permaculture Design Course and by 17, she was representing Brazil as a youth ambassador at the Youth Summit for the Environment in Kobe, Japan—collaborating with peers from 13 countries to advocate for sustainable change. Laila is dedicated to reconnecting children and parents with nature, blending ethnobotany, herbalism, functional nutrition, and medicinal gardening to teach families about their innate healing potential. She has authored several books, including Infant Iron Deficiency Complete Guide.