Permaculture Pond Masterclass: Design, Construction & Ecosystem Management

Want to build a pond but don’t know where to start?
Looking to install ponds professionally – or guide your contractor with more confidence?

Few things transform a place so profoundly as a body of water. From flood and fire prevention, wildlife habitat, and microclimate enhancement, to unmatched beauty and quality-of-life improvements, a well-designed pond offers exceptional returns on your investment.

Pond-building isn't a simple project. Mistakes can cost you significantly in terms of time, money, and stress. What if you could avoid costly mistakes that set your pond project back years and cost thousands of dollars?

With over 20 years of experience designing and building dozens of ponds – from intimate sauna plunge pools and inviting home swimming ponds to expansive, multi-acre reservoirs – I’ve seen it all.

I've learned through hands-on experience, navigating challenges from soil issues and water quality concerns to infrastructure integration and wildlife management. Most importantly, I live among my own ponds.

Get an up-close look at my ponds and learn how to apply these principles to your own homestead or farm.

Why I Created This CourseMy goal was to create the learning resource I wish I’d had at the beginning of my journey – a resource that would have saved me years of effort, stress, and significant expense.

Who is this course ideal for?

Homesteaders and Landowners starting their first pond project, seeking clear guidance to confidently communicate with contractors and manage their projects effectively.
Experienced Farmers and Permaculture Designers aiming to optimize their pond systems, creating more integrated, thriving, and productive landscapes.
Professionals and Aspiring Professionals interested in specializing in regenerative water infrastructure and pond ecosystem design.

This course is for those wanting to take advantage of my two-plus decades of experience into resilient land-based living so that they can avoid making their own mistakes and achieve an optimal system right from the start or improve the one they have been using.
How confident do you feel discussing your pond vision with contractors?

Regenerative Systems Pioneers
Whole Systems Design has been designing, building, and consulting on regenerative and resilient land/living systems in Vermont and around the world for over 20 years. We perform site assessment, property evaluation and site design, rural relocation strategy, homestead and farm design, water and food systems design, resilient passive homes design and land-based education.

Here's a taste of what we will be covering in the Pond Masterclass

Where should I put a pond?
Learn how to assess your site, understand watershed dynamics, and avoid the siting mistakes that can lead to years of regret.
What do I need to know before hiring a contractor? Or doing it myself?
We’ll walk through the tools, machines, and steps involved in pond construction so you know what to expect and how to communicate clearly with pros (or confidently take it on yourself).
Is my soil good for a pond, or will I need a liner?
Get the basics on soil testing, clay content, and when to use EPDM, polyethylene, or bentonite clay liners.
What are all the pieces I’m probably forgetting about?
We’ll show you how to handle storm flows, build in redundancy, and avoid surprises that compromise the system later.
How can I make this pond do more for me than just hold water?
Learn how to design for irrigation, swimming, food production, microclimate benefits, fire resilience, and more – so your pond becomes one of the most productive systems on your land.
What should I plant around (and in) my pond to keep it healthy?
We’ll talk about seeding, planting shelves, edge zones, and which species help build a self-regulating ecosystem.
What does long-term maintenance actually look like?
Know what to expect year after year – from seasonal overflow needs and weed management to keeping the system functioning without overwhelm.
If I already have a pond how do I improve or fix it?
We’ll share how to assess and improve underperforming or neglected ponds, with real-world examples from past student and client sites.

What if creating a thriving ecosystem on your property was easier – and more rewarding – than you ever imagined?

Before You Enroll

The path toward a functional land-based lifestyle is not a quick one. And it’s not without countless small (and large) mistakes made along the way. At WSD, we’ve made many of these ourselves in the 20+ years of our journey.

Our online workshops leverage the decades of experience that Erica and I (along with the team we have cultivated) have accrued. The learning experiences below are led by myself or a member of my team with at least a decade or two of hands on daily experience in the subject matter.

With the recent and growing popularity of a more hands-on lifestyle, I have noticed that many of the programs in this space are led by people new to the lifestyle themselves but savvy with internet marketing. I encourage you to vet your instructors carefully and if in doubt, save your money and try to assist a local old-timer who has done the work for a lifetime.

I welcome any questions you may have in vetting us as a source of guidance and sound information; do not hesitate to contact me.

30-Day 100% Money-Back Guarantee

If at any point during the first 30 days of the course you’re not satisfied, just send us a one-line email – we’ll issue a full refund, no questions asked. It’s really that simple.

What's included in the course?

Live sessions begin Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 7 PM Eastern Time (going for 2-3 hours). All sessions will be recorded.

Three Live Sessions

April 8th: Pond Values and Assessing the Site
Understand the key benefits ponds provide, learn how to evaluate your site effectively, and identify optimal pond locations in your watershed.
April 15th: Pond Construction
Understand pond construction fundamentals, from choosing equipment and liners to soil assessment, excavation strategies, and building resilient infrastructure to support your project.
April 29th: Establishing Pond Ecosystem + Maintenance
Learn techniques to cultivate a thriving pond ecosystem, select beneficial plants and aquatic species, and learn effective strategies for long-term management, food production, and overall ecosystem health.
May-October 2025: Students that sign up for the Accelerator option will continue to meet with Ben once a month for 5 months for live mentoring calls.

Comprehensive Video and Audio Library
2+ hours of expertly produced videos and audio detailing essential pond-building techniques and strategies. Explore 30+ essential pond-building topics covering advanced design insights, troubleshooting common issues, and maximizing your pond’s ecological and functional benefits.
Community Connection
Join our dedicated Signal messaging group to network with fellow regenerative pond builders, share experiences, and gain ongoing support.
Personalized Project Reviews
Select students will have their pond projects reviewed in class, offering personalized feedback and concrete examples to learn from together.

Could a well-designed pond significantly boost your land’s resilience and long-term value?

Sign Up for Ben Falk's Permaculture Pond Masterclass
Your land could be home to a thriving pond that enhances resilience, beauty, and productivity.

Permaculture Pond Masterclass

Three live, interactive online sessions with Ben Falk
Complete audio and video library with supplementary pond design content
Access to private community group chat
Join live or watch at your leisure
Lifetime Access

$395

(Monthly payment plan available)

Take the first step towards a resilient pond and avoid costly mistakes.

Permaculture Pond Apprenticeship Group

Everything from Permaculture Pond Masterclass, plus:
Small group mentoring calls with Ben Falk for 5 months
Personalized project reviews and direct feedback during mentoring sessions

$995

(Monthly payment plan available)

A fantastic value for ongoing support with your project.

Special Limited Offer
Custom Pond Consulting (1-on-1 with Ben), $2495
Everything in the Apprenticeship Group, plus:
Two private, 1-on-1 (virtual) consulting sessions with Ben
Custom pond siting and design support (virtual)
Personalized action plan for your pond's long-term success – you will walk away with a custom action plan for siting your pond, getting it constructed, and establishing the ecosystem.
Please complete an application if interested in this limited 1-on-1 option to work with Ben: CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR CUSTOM POND CONSULTING

Frequently Asked Questions
Will the live sessions be recorded if I can’t attend? Do I have to join live to access the recordings?
All live sessions will be fully recorded and accessible to registered participants for one year after the course ends. You don't need to attend live to view the recordings; they will be conveniently available for you to revisit anytime within the access period.

Which platform will be used for the live sessions?
We'll host all live sessions on Zoom Webinar. Please download the Zoom application (https://zoom.us/download) and ensure it's updated before the first session. We recommend joining the webinar approximately 5 minutes early to address any technical issues. If you experience difficulties during the live sessions, contact us immediately at [email protected].

What is your refund policy?
We want you to feel confident in your investment. If you enroll in the Permaculture Pond Intensive ($395 level) and find that it’s not the right fit, you can request a full refund within 30 days of the course start date – just let us know what we could have done better. Due to the limited and custom nature of the Accelerator ($995) and Custom Pond Consulting ($2495) tiers, these higher-level packages are non-refundable once purchased.

If you have any other questions or concerns about the course, email us. We’re happy to help.
[email protected]