Stories from the Prairie: Applying the “Genius of our Place” to Unlock Nature’s Strategies for Resilient, Restorative Design

Nature is inherently resilient and restorative while our human systems are...not. But what could we learn about the nature of design by studying the science of nature? By exploring our native organisms and ecosystems with a biomimicry lens, we can unlock nature’s locally-attuned design strategies and begin to apply them to our context: creating buildings, businesses and communities that are inherently sustainable, naturally.

Lurie Gardens. Photo by @amycoffman

In the other articles in this series, I wrote about the importance of connecting with nature and ways to do so. In this last (for a time, at least) article in this series, I share some stories of what I've learned in my exploration of the tallgrass prairie as well as a vision for a more sustainable and resilient world: one where our choices are based on working with and leveraging local context and energy flows rather than fighting against them.

It’s time to start thinking differently.

Like Wes Jackson who was inspired by the prairie to rethink industrial agriculture to Allan Savory who emulates grazing for holistic land management and Gerould Wilhelm who emulates the prairie in landscape design, each of these innovators look to the prairie ecosystem as inspiration for alternatives to standard practice. Doing so, they were able to (re)think standard practices, creating more low-maintenance, cost-effective, and biodiverse alternatives. And you can do this too.

Visit The B-Collaborative's Blog to learn more!

Biomimicry Prairie Walk

Mark your calendars! We are excited to celebrate fall with a biomimicry walk on the prairie - Thursday, September 25th. 6pm on the grounds of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. 

Photo by Amy Coffman Phillips

Fall is a gorgeous time for a walk in the prairie, so let's get outside and explore our native prairie ecosystem through a biomimicry lens! Biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature to solve human problems, is emerging as a powerful tool for creating sustainable design and systemic transformation. Applied at a variety of scales, from individual products to buildings and organizations, biomimicry brings nature's 3.8 billion years of innovation experience to the table to redefine sustainable innovation.

Weather permitting, join local biomimic, Amy Coffman Phillips, and Interpretive Naturalist, Cheryl McGarry, for an inspirational guided tour of the grounds at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Center with an informal networking event afterward.

Registration:

Free - USGBC-Illinois Members
$15 - Non-Members

Co-sponsored by USGBC-Illinois, Biomimicry Chicago, and Prairie Lab, LLC.

Space is limited so register today!

Learn from Nature: Activities for Exploring Nature's Genius

Everyone can connect with the genius of your place and learn from nature! Find out how in the second of a series of articles by BioChi co-founder @amycoffman. 

Photo by www.jennifermariephotography.net for @amycoffman

"After reading last week's entry, you may be thinking - I've found time to get outside, but what do I do now? Last week, we focused on the importance of getting outside and exploring nature as a part if your regular routine. This week, we will focus on what to do when you get there."

Read more at her blog >>>

(Re)Connecting with Nature: Exploring Biomimicry in Our Local Ecosystems

Biomimicry Chicago Co-Founder, Amy Coffman Phillips, is writing a series of articles on the power of reconnection in the practice of biomimicry:

"Whenever I talk about biomimicry, I am usually asked a question along the lines of “how do I get started?” And the answer is remarkably simple - you start by going outside. Going for a walk through your local ecosystem, setting aside all that you need to do, reawakening your natural curiosity, and experiencing nature’s genius is a powerful act that will change your perspective on nature, your place in it, and forever alter the path of your career and life."

Read more on her blog!

New to biomimicry?

Check out a new introductory seminar at the Chicago Center for Green Technology next Thursday, July 17th. 6pm. FREE as a service to our green community! Register here.

(Re)Connecting with Nature: Exploring Biomimicry in Your Own Backyard

Speakers: Amy Coffman Phillips & Rachel Haus, Biomimicry Chicago

Audience: General

Biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature to solve human problems, is emerging as a powerful tool for creating sustainable design and systemic transformation. Applied at a variety of scales, from individual products to buildings and organizations, biomimicry brings nature's 3.8 billion years of innovation experience to the table to redefine sustainable innovation. Weather permitting, course includes a guided tour of our local prairie ecosystem viewed through the biomimicry lens, an introduction to the biomimicry methodology, and facilitated experiences that help participants comprehend and begin to apply nature’s lessons to their lives and work.

Dormancy as an Energy Strategy: Learning from our Native Prairie

It’s been a long winter! Can you remember last summer’s lush green prairies when looking at them today, just emerging from their brown and dormant stage? As we drag ourselves out of our own winter dormancy and into the full light of spring, let’s take a moment to consider how our buildings and businesses can begin to emulate the biomimicry Life’s Principle to “Leverage Cyclic Processes” by embedding the ability to automatically respond to local conditions.

By understanding how ecosystems, like our native tallgrass prairie, are attuned to local conditions, we can begin to design buildings that optimize resource allocation while being more responsive to user needs. 

Read more at Prairie Lab, LLC's, Lab Rats Blog!

FRED2013 this Saturday!

Gearing up for the FRED 2013 conference this Saturday! In gorgeous Riverside, Illinois, we'll be showcasing biomimicry as it applies to communities and landscapes while exploring how "ecotones" influence social interactions in nature. Join us for an interactive workshop and outdoor exploration where we explore answers to the question: "What can ecotones teach us about fostering social interactions?" Register today!

Have you met FRED?

Have you met FRED? If you have an interest in biomimicry and landscape design - check it out next Saturday, September 21st, in Riverside, IL. 

"Join us on Saturday, September 21, 2013 for the FRED, an exciting day of classes, tours and workshops brimming with new ideas for your garden or community. The FRED (Frederick Law Olmsted in Riverside Education and Design) is a unique opportunity to enjoy landscape and garden design in the historic landmark community of Riverside, Illinois."

Biomimicry: (Re)Learning from Nature’s Genius
Amy Coffman Phillips, workshop facilitator

"How can nature inspire us in the design process? Biomimicry is the practice of drawing inspiration from nature to solve the sustainable design challenges we face. By studying nature, we can discover practical and inspired solutions to challenges from product design to community planning. Join Amy as she illustrates how biomimics around the world are learning from nature’s solutions and then explore how to apply them to our communities in an interactive BioBrainstorm session."