The fashion industry's "take-make-waste" model drives climate and ecological crises. The Nature of Fashion project, with global partners, tackles this by demonstrating decomposition's potential for a regenerative, nature-positive future, proving a circular economy is already emerging through practical interventions.

In an AskNature Hive conversation, Andrew Keys (Circle Economy) and Asha Singhal (Nature of Fashion) explored transforming the industry by learning from nature, shifting economic models, and driving a circular transition. Hosted by AskNature Coordinator, Ayoade Balogun.

Learn more about biomimicry and connect with the institute: Biomimicry Institute, AskNature, The AskNature Podcast, The AskNature Hive, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Robin Wall Kimmerer emphasizes the transformative power of stories to shift our worldview. She suggests living "as if the world is a gift for which I need to be grateful, for which I need to reciprocate, for whom I am accountable," believing that a changed narrative can align our behaviors with nature.

Kimmerer joins AskNature to discuss cultural biomimicry, blending Western science with traditional ecological knowledge to navigate climate uncertainty. She also champions Plant Baby Plant, a grassroots movement encouraging people to "Raise a garden, and raise a ruckus!" Discover more at plantbabyplant.com.

This episode is hosted by Amanda Sturgeon and Andrew Howley, and is a project of The Biomimicry Institute.

“What is the design intent of our lives?” The AskNature Podcast, a project of The Biomimicry Institute, explores this question. In its premiere episode, Janine Benyus and Christiana Figueres discuss biomimicry, belonging, and living in relationship with the natural world.

Figueres urges mindfulness in our actions, words, and thoughts, believing a more loving approach would transform our world. Benyus adds that our personal connection to nature is cultivable. Hosted by Amanda Sturgeon and Andrew Howley, this episode will shift your perspective on nature, design, and daily choices, reminding us to listen with humility. Episode 1 premieres May 27th.

Facing unprecedented ecological and social challenges, The AskNature Podcast explores how looking to nature can guide our future. It uncovers nature-inspired strategies for resilience, innovation, and systemic change, bringing together diverse voices to answer this crucial question.

Season 1 focuses on the exponential impact of reconnecting with nature, featuring guests like Janine Benyus, Christiana Figueres, and Robin Wall Kimmerer. Hosted by Amanda Sturgeon (CEO, Biomimicry Institute) and Andrew Howley, this project from The Biomimicry Institute premieres Episode 1 on May 27th.

Watch the replay of our virtual conversation with Dr. Jessica Hernandez, an Indigenous scientist, climate justice leader, and best-selling author. Her work, including "Fresh Banana Leaves," transforms environmentalism by integrating Indigenous science, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and Western frameworks to foster climate justice and ecological healing. In this session, Dr. Hernandez explores Indigenous approaches to resilience, relationality, and decolonizing environmental practice, offering powerful insights for creating more just, life-affirming systems within the biomimicry community and beyond.

Learn more about biomimicry: [biomimicry.org](https://biomimicry.org/), [asknature.org](https://asknature.org/), [biomimicry.org/community](https://biomimicry.org/community/). Connect with us on social media: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/biomimicryinstitute/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/biomimicryinstitute/).

Join our online information session to learn about the Ray of Hope Accelerator, which supports nature-inspired startups scaling solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. We accelerate ten high-impact global startups annually, offering $15,000 in non-dilutive funding and over $50,000 worth of in-kind services, including mentoring, investor introductions, and a Nature Retreat. Our program prioritizes founder growth and community, boasting over 60 successful companies.

Applications for the 2025 Cohort open March 2nd and close April 24th. For eligibility, selection criteria, and FAQs, visit our How to Apply page. Explore the Ray of Hope Accelerator and learn more about The Biomimicry Institute.

Rewatch our interactive showcase featuring ten startups from the Ray of Hope Accelerator. These founders, after six months, demonstrate how biomimicry—nature's strategies—addresses urgent global challenges in energy, materials, water, and biodiversity. Innovations range from bio-inspired coatings and surgical adhesives to cultured wood and microplastic filters.

The Ray of Hope Accelerator, a six-month program by the Biomimicry Institute, supports early-stage, nature-inspired startups with funding, mentorship, and expert access. Applications for the 2026 cohort open in early March. Join our Ask Us Anything Session on March 18 at 9:00 AM PT: Ask Us Anything Session.

Join Tim McGee for a live conversation exploring how manufacturing and materials can draw inspiration from living systems. From self-healing fibers to future electronic systems, his work reveals how biology can spark a materials revolution, building resilience and reshaping our relationship with nature.

Tim, a resident at the Astera Institute, leads a lab pushing fiber manufacturing boundaries, inspired by nature's playbook. With over a decade of experience, he translates biological insights into real-world innovation, using biomimicry to connect science with future technologies.

Learn more: [Biomimicry Institute](https://biomimicry.org/), [AskNature](https://asknature.org/), [Community](https://biomimicry.org/community/). Connect on social: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/biomimicryinstitute/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/biomimicryinstitute/).

Join author Erica Berry for a virtual gathering. Drawing from her acclaimed debut, *Wolfish: Wolf, Self, and the Stories We Tell About Fear*, Berry invites us to rewild our imaginations and reweave connections with the living world. She explores how inherited myths shape our understanding of wildness, fear, and belonging, encouraging us to listen differently to nature and guiding stories.

We'll consider biomimicry as a way of being, learning from nature's patterns to inspire healing, creativity, and renewal. This event offers space for reflection and reimagining our place within the web of life, welcoming all seekers of connection.

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Explore critical questions like "What could possibly go right?" and "What does it mean to join the biomimicry movement?" in the "Thoughts in Three" segment. This short clip, part of "From a Meme to a Movement: 25 Years of Biomimicry," features Janine Benyus answering three insightful questions posed by Lex Amore.

Watch the full discussion with Janine Benyus and Lex Amore here. Learn more about the Biomimicry Institute and connect with us on social media: biomimicry.org, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

India's GreenPod Labs, an agricultural biotechnology startup, tackles food loss in developing nations. By mimicking nature's pest and fungal resistance in fruits and vegetables, they address both climate and societal problems.

GreenPod Labs is the proud recipient of the Ray of Hope Prize. Discover more about the program at biomimicry.org/rayofhopeprize/.

Explore further resources from the Biomimicry Institute: biomimicry.org/, asknature.org/, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

High schoolers Annika and Kellen addressed local flooding through the Youth Design Challenge, applying biomimicry principles. Studying mangroves and beaver dams, they engineered an Urban Floodwater Reduction System, earning 1st Place for their nature-inspired solution.

Their success highlights the impact of our MIMIC Curriculum, which has reached 12,000 students. We are expanding this program to provide more future innovators with biomimicry education and professional learning. Support our mission by donating today at http://www.biomimicry.org/donate.

Rob Gilson champions hands-on, real-world learning for all students. At Blue School, his model demonstrates how children become deeply invested in urgent issues, accelerating their learning within an expanding STEAM curriculum.

In this video, Rob shares the significant impact of the Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge on his students and highlights some of the innovative designs they created.

To explore the Challenge further, visit: http://youthchallenge.biomimicry.org

The Ray of Hope Prize is a biomimicry startup accelerator. It connects top nature-inspired leaders globally, offering sustainable business and communications training to accelerate their growth.

Our yearly cohorts feature global startups combating industrial pollution with nature-inspired innovations that prioritize all life. Annual immersions bring these portfolio leaders together in nature.

Learn more about the Ray of Hope program and the Biomimicry Institute: biomimicry.org/rayofhopeprize/. Explore more nature-inspired solutions: biomimicry.org and asknature.org.

Biomimicry challenges conventional design and innovation, prompting us to rethink fundamental concepts like knowledge origin, nature's role, and our place on Earth.

Explore these ideas further in Dr. Henry Dicks' fascinating article, "Biomimicry and Philosophy."

Learn more about the Biomimicry Institute and connect with us on social media: Biomimicry.org, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Traditional surface finishing technologies, including chemical etching and sandblasting, often rely on ecologically harmful processes. Fusion Bionic offers a sustainable alternative with its Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) technology.

DLIP creates functional surface textures inspired by nature, mimicking structures found on lotus leaves and shark skin. This innovative approach earned Fusion Bionic recognition as a runner-up for the prestigious Ray of Hope Prize.

Learn more about the Ray of Hope Prize program, explore biomimicry and AskNature, or connect with the Biomimicry Institute on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Millions of tons of construction waste annually pollute our environment and contribute to climate change. Mycoremediation, a nature-inspired solution, uses fungi to transform harmful construction and demolition waste into usable materials, mimicking natural decomposition.

Mycocycle, a 2022 Biomimicry Institute Ray of Hope Prize finalist, cultivates fungi to detoxify construction debris and asphalt. Their innovative process converts toxic trash into harmless, reusable materials, moving us closer to building waste-free, sustainable cities.

Learn more: Mycocycle.com | AskNature.org (Mycocycle) | Biomimicry.org | AskNature.org. Connect with the Biomimicry Institute: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn.

Prashant Dhawan and Seema Anand, co-founders of Biomimicry India Lab and Studio, share their inspiring journeys to happiness, each other, and biomimicry. They have taught biomimicry to over 25,000 people, demonstrating its profound impact.

Learn more about their personal story and the field of biomimicry. Read their complete biography: [Biomimicry Biographies](https://youthchallenge.biomimicry.org/en/page/biomimicry-biographies).

Explore additional resources from the [Biomimicry Institute](https://biomimicry.org/), [Youth Challenge](https://youthchallenge.biomimicry.org), and [AskNature](https://asknature.org/). Connect with us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/biomimicryinstitute/) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/biomimicryinstitute/).

Thank you for joining us in learning from nature this year. We look forward to connecting with you again in 2023.

To learn more about the Biomimicry Institute and stay connected, visit our [website](https://www.biomimicry.org). You can also find us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/biomimicryinstitute/) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/biomimicryinstitute/).

Biome Renewables is revolutionizing wind energy by developing more efficient and less disruptive turbines, drawing inspiration from nature. Their "FeatherEdge" technology, inspired by owls' silent flight, reduces noise by up to 80% and allows for increased power generation. Additionally, the "PowerCone" device, modeled after falling maple seeds, channels air to boost efficiency and electricity output.

This biomimicry approach enables elegant solutions that maximize wind power while minimizing environmental impact. For further information on biomimicry, visit biomimicry.org and asknature.org. Connect with the Biomimicry Institute on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.