Discovering the Prairie!

Immersive education via Prairie Lab, LLC

Our partners at Prairie Lab held their second immersive biomimicry workshop at the Morton Arboretum on a gorgeous day in June. Check out their blog post showing pictures of the experience! And be sure to register for the next experience in August where we will explore the oak woodlands and practice generating innovative new ideas during a Design Jam.

Saturday, August 22nd.
Register today!

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.

Upcoming workshop on #NetZero energy featuring #Biomimicry - May 30th

Designers have many questions when seeking to truly emulate nature in the built environment, where our buildings generate energy, capture water, and recycle their waste while contributing to the communities they inhabit:

What role can innovation play in designing net zero buildings - from biomimicry’s Life’s Principles to tools for a new energy economy - and how can I evaluate the return on investment for my clients so that they greenlight the project?

At an upcoming 4-hour in-person workshop hosted by the professional development venture Prairie Lab, LLC, attendees participate in facilitated brainstorming and problem-solving exercises where they seek innovative solutions to the challenge of designing net-zero buildings. During the workshop, participants identify current constraints to designing net-zero buildings, spend time finding innovative solutions to challenges, and learn how to frame the discussion in economic terms.

Register today! 

Friday, May 30th. Program from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Registration and Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
Venue SIX10 - 610 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago4 CEUs. $250. Register by May 23rd to guarantee your spot!
www.prairielab.com 

Prairie Lab, LLCPrairie Lab is a new professional development venture founded by three former Chairs of USGBC-Illinois. We specialize in hands-on, university-style courses customized to a firm’s needs. Occasionally we host public workshops to offer a sample of the Prairie Lab experience. Our expertise is in sustainability, energy, biomimicry, health, business, and facility management.

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

Ready to learn more about local biomimicry? Register now for BioChi Co-Founder Amy Coffman Phillips' seminar at the Chicago Center for Green Technology April 16th! 

(Re)Connecting with Nature: Exploring Biomimicry in Your Own Backyard!
Biomimicry is the art and science of learning from nature to inspire the design of human forms, processes, and systems. This practice starts by (re)connecting with natural organisms in order to understand what makes them well-adapted to their place, and then translating this information into the language of design and business. In this seminar, we will learn how to explore possibilities by getting outside, making observations, and brainstorming new innovations!
Register now!

Biomimicry Specialist Certification Applications Open!

Interested in diving deeper into the world of biomimicry? Looking to travel to an interesting natural location and learn how to apply biomimicry to your career from thought leaders in this field? Consider applying to the Biomimicry Specialist Certification Program! Application ends 12/17 and friends of Biomimicry Chicago can receive a discount code - email us for details!

Learn more and apply here!

Learning from the Genius of our Place

Ever wonder what ecosystem existed where you live and work prior to settlement? 
Would that influence what plants you select for your landscaping? 
What natural elements you bring into your office? 
How locally-attuned buildings are designed and maintained? 

Learning from the Genius of our Place can help us design our lives and work to fit in with our native natural context using the least amount of energy and resources possible. 

"At the time when the first Europeans entered the Chicago region, the predominant vegetation was a mosaic of prairie, oak woodland, and savanna, with distinctive vegetation on sand dunes adjacent to Lake Michigan. Soils, topography, and firebreaks strongly controlled the vegetation pattern. Before European settlement, fire was a major influence. Every year the copious prairie vegetation dried in late summer, becoming highly flammable, and fires, mostly set by Native Americans either accidentally or purposefully, occurred annually. These fires carried easily through the prairie and burned into adjacent woodlands. As a result, the woodland vegetation was dominated by fire-resistant trees and occurred in areas protected from fire by rougher topography or water bodies—rivers and lakes."

Learn more: http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/410.html

Upcoming Biomimicry Seminar in Chicago

Amy and Lindsay are presenting a seminar on Biomimicry as a design innovation strategy at the Chicago Center for Green Technology Thursday, April 12th at 6pm.  The course is a professional service and free, but registration is required.  Hope to see you there!

Biomimicry: Naturally Inspired Design Innovation

SPEAKER: Amy Coffman Phillips, Liquid Triangle Sustainability; and Lindsay James, InterfaceFLOR

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 bring nature’s 3.8 billion years of innovation experience to the table. Our discussion will examine this quickly evolving practice, review what it is, how it is being applied and its powerful potential for the future. AIA/CES: 2LU

Click here for the full course catalog - lots of fun programs!

Biomimicry Lecture in Rockford, February 21st

Lindsay is speaking about Biomimicry to the USGBC in Rockford next month!

Biomimicry - Use the Genius of Nature in Your Design & Tour the LEED Silver Certfied, Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens hosted by the USGBC - Illinois Chapter!

Date: 21 Feb 2012
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford, IL 61107

Program Description:

Join the USGBC-Illinois Rockford/Northern IL Branch for a study of Biomimicry - The Conscious Emulation of Nature's Design and tour of the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens. (Submitted for 1.5 GBCI Hours)

This program will invite you to take a look at sustainability in nature. You will learn how your design can be influenced by studying the process, products, and performance of the living organism we call earth. Discover how nature provides us the Three "M"s - Models, Measures and Mentoring.  This evening also offers a tour of the LEED Silver Certified, Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens.
Agenda:
5:30 - 5:45 Registration (You must arrive and register no later than 5:45 to take tour)
5:45 PM - 6:00 Late Registration
5:45 - 6:30 PM - Networking and Tour of Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Presentation followed by Q&A

Presenter: Lindsay James, Director of Strategic Sustainability, InterfaceFLOR

BProfessional Travelogue: Spain

Lindsay and Amy just got back from our latest intensive week of visioning and deep learning about biomimicry in Spain.  The Biomimicry Professional Pathways sent out this email summary and we thought we'd cross post it to give you a flavor of what we experienced.  As always, it was an amazing experience.  Amy has also written about her experiences at her blog: Liquid Triangle Sustainability.  Please check it out! 

Travelogue: Spain
2011 Biomimicry Professional certification program participants discover the Mediterranean Steppe

  

Earlier this month marked the fourth in-person session for the current cohort of the Biomimicry Professional certification program. Held in the Mediterranean Steppe ecosystem in the Andalucian region of Spain, the biomimics studied how life has evolved in a region of the world where agriculture has been present for many hundreds of years. Michael Pawlyn of Exploration Architecture joined the crew for a couple days of deep diving into the world of biomimicry, and gave us a captivating and intimate presentation of the leading edge work his organization is doing including the Sahara Forest Project. All participants returned home inspired and motivated to continue their individual and collective biomimicry journeys.


Reposted from Biomimicry Professional Pathways:

Follow Us On Facebook
>> Get the latest biomimicry news, event announcements, and photos by 'Liking' the Professional Pathways Facebook page

Stay inspired!

ERIN LEITCH, Certified Biomimicry Professional (CBP), LEED AP BD+C
Professional Pathways Director | Biomimicry 3.8
+1 406 543 4108, x209 | +52 1 55 4383 7838 mobile
Biomimicry.net | AskNature.org

Evolve Our World as a Biomimicry Professional: Application Deadline March 2nd

Two Biomimicry Chicago network leaders are currently enrolled in this amazing program.  Please ask Amy or Lindsay any questions you may have.  We highly recommend the experience!


Currently seeking innovators, early adopters, and change agents to be the world's next leading biomimics

At Biomimicry 3.8, we believe there exists in the natural world a wisdom that can uniquely inform the way we approach and solve problems to make our human world uniquely well-adapted to life on Earth. We've spent the last 13 years developing the sustainable innovation framework and tools to bring nature's genius to the solution space.

Since 2008, a select group of biologists, designers, engineers, and businesspeople have been receiving deep biomimicry training led by Dr. Dayna Baumeister, Biomimicry 3.8 co-founder, in an intense two-year Biomimicry Professional certification program. Future biomimics in this exclusive cohort learn to apply the biomimicry methodology and tools for any type of challenge. Soon they will transform an evolved vision for and pathway to success across industries of all types and develop critical roadmaps for getting there using the natural world as the model of performance.

The world needs highly skilled biomimics to bring nature's genius into the solution space with integrity. If you're an early adopter, innovator, or change agent with a background in biology, design, engineering, and/or business, and you're interested in evolving human solutions towards well-adaptation through innovation, >> learn more about (and even apply online) for this innovative and transformative learning journey here

Reposted from Biomimicry Professional Pathways email:

Follow Us On Facebook
>> Get the latest biomimicry news, event announcements, and photos by 'Liking' the Professional Pathways Facebook page

Stay inspired!

ERIN LEITCH, Certified Biomimicry Professional (CBP), LEED AP BD+C
Professional Pathways Director | Biomimicry 3.8
+1 406 543 4108, x209 | +52 1 55 4383 7838 mobile
Biomimicry.net | AskNature.org

Biomimicry Specialist Certification Enrollment Deadline: March 2nd!

Last Chance to Enroll 

Now accepting participants to the 2012 Biomimicry Specialist certification program until March 2, 2012

Eastern North American and Western North American cohorts will form in the 2012 Biomimicry Specialist (BSpecialist) certification program and welcome participants from all over the world from a wide range of backgrounds. This eight-month intensive training program results in an official certification and is a unique opportunity to gain the critical orientation to biomimicry to jump-start the ability to offer biomimicry to  your company, clients, or students as a specialty skill within your discipline. >> See how 2011 BSpecialist alumni, Thomas Knittel of HOK, has incorporated his biomimicry training into the design of a Haitian children's center here

Online coursework includes Seeds of Biomimicry, Life's Principles, and Integrating Biology in Design as well as a Virtual Design Lab, in which you will tackle a biomimicry challenge with the support and guidance of your instructors. Three in-person sessions provide hands-on experience in orienting to, reading, and learning from an ecosystem in addition to time building community relationships within the cohort.

Want to help us develop a regional biomimicry network in your community? If so, this could make the experience even more rewarding. We’re now offering a 10% reduction on BSpecialist tuition to friends or colleagues who apply to take the course together and are ultimately accepted into the next cohort. We’re calling it our BFriends offer. We’re also offering the same tuition incentive to our friends in the USGBC community who are LEED APs and Green Associates. >> Learn more and even complete your 2012 BSpecialist application online here 


Reposted from email by Biomimicry Professional Pathways:


Follow Us On Facebook
>> Get the latest biomimicry news, event announcements, and photos by 'Liking' the Professional Pathways Facebook page

Stay inspired!

ERIN LEITCH, Certified Biomimicry Professional (CBP), LEED AP BD+C
Professional Pathways Director | Biomimicry 3.8
+1 406 543 4108, x209 | +52 1 55 4383 7838 mobile
Biomimicry.net | AskNature.org

Biomimicry Pecha Kucha

Amy and Lindsay presented an introduction to biomimicry, Pecha Kucha style, at the Ryerson Woods on October 13th.  Since the slides aren't really visible in this format, I've uploaded them here.  Enjoy!

Biomimicry at Pecha Kucha

Amy and Lindsay will be showcasing biomimicry at Pecha Kucha in Ryerson Woods on October 13th, 2011.  Japanese for "chit chat", Pecha Kucha is event for designers to meet, network and show their work in public.   This event features ten young designers and their work in the areas of sustainable design.  Come learn about biomimicry and other interesting topics at the next Pecha Kucha!  Visit their site for more information.

How will we design our future, sustainably?

At the next Greendrinks Naperville, Biomimicry Chicago emerging network leader Amy Coffman Phillips describes her journey to learn from nature to inspire sustainable design.  This introduction to biomimicry will inspire those that attend to learn from nature to design more sustainable products, buildings, and systems.  

How can a solar cell be inspired by a leaf?

How can a spider web help protect birds from windows?  

Come find out at the next Greendrinks Naperville and join the discussion!

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011.  7pm

Sugar Toad at the Hotel Arista

2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville, IL

Biomimicry Student Design Challenge

The Biomimicry Institute is excited to announce the next Biomimicry Student Design Challenge.  Available to students worldwide, and with prizes thanks to funding from the Merck Family Fund, students are challenged to form interdisciplinary teams and design a solution that results in more efficient energy utilization and ultimately reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The Challenge's website is still under construction, but check it out, pre-register, and check back often for new posted information and resources.

Source: asknature.org

Biomimicry Regional Specialist Certificate 2012 - Apply Now!

The Biomimicry Regional Specialist (BSpecialty) Certificate is an eight-month training program for individuals who want to catalyze their biomimicry expertise as it applies to their field and who are interested in forming locally attuned biomimicry networks.  Cohorts are now forming in Western and Eastern North America as well as Europe - apply here!

Let's get a critical mass going here in Chicago!

BioLink: Four Futuristic Technologies Inspired By Sharks

Photo by Jaymi Heimbuch

As we come across particularly interesting Biomimicry related articles, we will post links to spread knowledge in our local region.  This article by @TreeHugger talks about four technologies that were inspired by sharks and while we don't have any sharks in the Midwest, they have quite a bit to teach us. 

• Paint That Creates More Efficient Windmills, Airplanes and Ships
• Shark-Inspired "Skin" for Cars to Improve MPG
• Shark Skin-Inspired Material Stops Bacterial Breakouts
• Basking Shark Inspires Improved Hydropower Turbine

Also, please check out the twitter feed to the right and follow @amycoffman for real time updates about local biomimicry!   

New Biomimicry Learning Opportunities!

Biomimicry Chicago is excited to pass on incredible learning opportunities offered by the Professional Pathways of the Biomimicry Group:


2012 Biomimicry Specialty Certificate Program Application Opens August 16
The Biomimicry Specialty certificate program is an eight-month biomimicry training program designed to equip individuals with the biomimicry core values, methodology, tools, and resources. Graduates of the program add value to their work to simultaneously drive sustainability and innovation with this unique biomimicry skill set.  Learn more about the program and pre-apply here!


Intro to the Practice of Biomimicry Launches Online September 2011
The first course of a three-part, highly interactive online series on the Foundations of Biomimicry will be released September 2011. The course, Intro to the Practice of Biomimicry, is the most accessible and in-depth introduction to the world of biomimicry. Here's a sneak peek of what will be available this September...

Find the Latest Updates and Photos on the Pro Pathways Facebook Page
Join the growing Facebook community for news and events from the Biomimicry Professional Pathways, including the latest and greatest from the emerging biomimicry networks from around the world.  Check out their page here and give them a 'Like'!

For more information, contact Erin Leitch, Director of Professional Pathways for the Biomimicry Group.  (406) 543-4108 Ext. 209.  Biomimicry_Professional_Pathways@mail.vresp.com

2011 Biomimicry Education Summit - Cleveland, Ohio - June 27-29

Looking to learn more about teaching Biomimicry?  Then check out the 2011 Biomimicry Education Summit in Cleveland! We're excited to announce a special opportunity for educators and professionals interested in biomimicry education. The Biomimicry Institute's 5th annual Biomimicry Education Summit: Next Generation Education will be held in Cleveland, Ohio from June 27-29. The Biomimicry Institute is offering a special discounted price of $250 for educators (regularly $400) and $400 for professionals (regularly $550) for people affiliated with Biomimicry Chicago. Email us for the promo code! Internationally renowned green chemistry expert, John Warner, will keynote the Summit. Take a look online to see the stellar line-up of panelists who will address all aspects of biomimicry education, from K-12 and informal education (museums, zoos, etc.) to university education and the need for biomimicry-trained professionals in the workforce. You will have the chance to display materials from your biomimicry classes and exhibits, and find information on inspiring success stories from members of BiomimicryNEO (Northeast Ohio), another regional biomimicry alliance. You can also network with members of BiomimicryNEO at an evening event on Tuesday, June 26. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn from your peers and help shape the future of biomimicry education! Register today.