Leaders in the Global Biomimicry Movement
We have partnered with the City of San Diego and local universities to become the world’s first biomimicry hub.
Biomimicry in Action
Read all about innovations that have been inspired by nature.
May 15, 2012
This year, San Diego Zoo Global launched a new classroom education program for middle school students around the subject of biomimicry, or innovation inspired by nature. Called “Bioinspiration: Nature’s Best Ideas,” the one-hour classroom outreach program brings a San Diego Zoo educator to middle school classrooms to introduce the topic of biomimicry through an interactive presentation, hands-on activities, and a special encounter with an animal ambassador. The program was raffled off to ten lucky teachers who also got the chance to participate in the first ever bioinspired design contest at San Diego Zoo Global. After participating in the education program, students broke into teams and worked to develop their own designs inspired by nature.
After careful consideration of all the great submissions we received, we are pleased to announce the winner of the bioinspired design contest: Emily Canizalez, from Patti Evans’ class at Challenger Middle School, for her invention of a zebra-inspired pest-deterring blanket for dogs.
We want to extend a special thank you to Laurie Owen, Patti Evans, Jodie Takei, Martin Reisert, and all the students in their classes who participated in this pilot program and design challenge.
Stay tuned for further expansion of our biomimicry education programs. To learn more about existing programs contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Read more about Emily’s invention.
Winter 2012 SDZ Global Biomimicry Newsletter
Bioinspired in 2012, Biomimicry Webinars, Bioinspiration in Education, Bioinspired Corporate Innovation Workshops, Seeds Make the World Go Round
December 2011 SDZ Global Biomimicry Newsletter
TedxSanDiego, Growth in Bio-inspired Innovation, Bringing Bioinspiration to the Classroom, Inspired in Winter.
The Booming Business of Biomimicry
November 15, 2011 - Fast Company reports on the Da Vinci Index, measuring the economics of biomimicry, and the San Diego Zoo.
Biomimicry Could Add $300 Billion to U.S. GDP in 15 Years
October 17, 2011 - Sustainable Life Media on the economic impact report sponsored by San Diego Zoo Global and performed by Point Loma Nazarene University.
Temecula, Murrieta Join San Diego Innovation Hub
August 2, 2011 - North County Times - “Temecula, Murrieta, UC Riverside and the city of Riverside joined a San Diego-based economic development partnership Tuesday that area politicians say will help the commuter-dominated bedroom community of Southwest County transform into a bustling center of high-tech, biotechnology and green industry that employs the local populace.”
San Diego’s Innovation Hub Extends to Southwest Riverside County, UC Riverside
August 2, 2011 - North County Times - “San Diego’s hub is part of a statewide network of California Innovation Hubs that brings together inventors, companies, research parks, universities and other institutions to encourage innovation and job growth.”
Who’s Growing and Who’s Hiring?
June 5, 2011 - “The San Diego region is leading the way in building a clean tech economy. Tomorrow’s economy will require engineers, chemists, biologists and more as biomimicry - a field that tries to replicate nature’s best ideas to solve human problems - takes center stage in our quest to become more efficient.”
Biomimicry: The Power of the Metaphor
May 4, 2011 - Stuart Karten Design blogs about the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
Lessons from Nature: Biomimicry at the San Diego Zoo
April 27, 2011 - Lindsay James of InterfaceFLOR blogs about the 2011 Biomimicry Conference
Designers Talk Biomimicry at the San Diego Zoo
April 26, 2011 - Union Tribune feature on the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
The 2011 Biomimicry Conference: Zoological Perspectives
April 18, 2011 - Cheryl Goodman of Qualcomm blogs about the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
Businesses that imitate nature presented at Biomimicry Conference
April 15, 2011 - 3rd San Diego Daily Transcript feature on the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
San Diego Zoo hosts third annual Biomimicry Conference
April 13, 2011 - 2nd San Diego Daily Transcript feature on the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
On the Agenda: Biomimicry, climate and energy laws among topics of discussion
April 8, 2011 - 1st San Diego Daily Transcript feature on the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
How Mother Nature’s “Inventions” Are Changing Our Lives
March 30, 2011 – San Diego Zoo Biomimicry featured in National Geographic blog.
Biomimicry: Nature meets human innovation for sustainable living
San Diego Daily Transcript writes about biomimicry, architecture, and the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
New Science Not Escaping the Zoo
NBC San Diego writes about the biomimicry at the San Diego Zoo and the 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
Great Innovations Often Blossom from Inspiration
Cheryl Perkins, president/founder of InnovationEdge, blogs about biomimicry and the San Diego Zoo.
Biomimicry Offers Sustainable Solutions Inspired by Nature
Fast Company shares EarthSky interview with San Diego Zoo Global Chief Conservation Officer Allison Alberts.
The San Diego Zoo: Bringing Biomimicry to the Design Table
Stacy Kelley of the Union-Tribune blogs about our upcoming 2011 Biomimicry Conference.
Biomimicry, building design intersect at Zoo reception
San Diego Daily Transcript article about our Spring Biomimicry Reception: Bio-inspired Architecture featuring speaker Bill Browning of Terrapin Bright Green.
A description of the programs at the SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring conference, featuring the San Diego Zoo.
Regional Life Sciences Group Thinks Globally
The San Diego Business Journal writes about the 2011 Biomimicry Conference in San Diego.
Allison Alberts: Biomimicry creates nature-inspired sustainable solutions
Allison Alberts, Chief Conservation Officer at San Diego Zoo Global, speaks with EarthSky about biomimicry.
Balboa Park Cultural Partnership 2011 Sustainability Kick-Off: January 27, 2011
The San Diego Zoo will be speaking at the BPCP’s 2011 Sustainability Kick-Off on the influence of nature on developing solutions to challenges facing humans.
California State Controller’s Office December 2010 Summary Analysis
Lynn Reaser, Ph.D., writes the featured article of California’s Economy in the California State Controller’s Office December 2010 Summary Analysis. Dr. Reaser presents the results of the economic impact study and biomimicry’s potential to significantly contribute to local, national, and global economies. Article begins on page 6.