WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Biomimicry is an old practice and new discipline that emulates nature’s time-tested strategies for surviving and thriving sustainably on Earth. Formaldehyde-free building materials modeled after mussels, networks that emulate slime mold, and self-cleaning paint inspired by lotus leaves, are a few examples. A growing number of people are applying lessons from nature’s treasure trove of tried-and-true solutions to spur innovation toward creating healthier, more resilient societies.
ISSP Instructor: Mary Hansel, Certified Biomimicry Professional
Through a series of interactive, online presentations, exercises, and a final deliverable, this workshop is designed to meet the following learning objectives:
- Ability to describe the concept of biomimicry and various ways (innovation tool, ethical gauge for sustainability, reconnection between humans and the planet) it is being used to advance sustainability.
- Learn to translate challenges into functions that can be used to ask “How does nature...?”
- Explore a system’s perspective on Earth’s operating conditions and learn deep patterns of biological design (Life’s Principles) that have evolved in response to those operating conditions.
- Practice using Life’s Principles to both evaluate, and inspire strategies to improve, sustainability performance.
- Identify biomimicry tools and resources.