FAQ

Biomimicry is learning from and then emulating nature’s forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs. Explore how the practice has inspired innovations of all kinds on our What is Biomimicry page, or explore our Resources in The Buzz section to learn more.

The “3.8” in our name refers to the more than 3.8 billion years life has been adapting and evolving to changing conditions on the planet. In essence, there are 3.8 billion years of brilliant solutions from which humankind can learn to innovate for a better world. Learn more about our history, vision, and values on our Who We Are page.

Join our email list (sign up in the footer at the bottom of this page) and we’ll keep you updated on all our happenings, including workshop information and application deadlines, insight on the emerging field of biomimicry, and specials offerings–all delivered right to your inbox.

The Biomimicry Institute is the sister nonprofit to Biomimicry 3.8. Both organizations were founded by Janine Benyus and Dr. Dayna Baumeister, along with Bryony Schwan, who helped start the Biomimicry Institute. The nonprofit arm focuses on Design Challenges, Global Networks, and AskNature.org, while Biomimicry 3.8 delivers consulting, professional training, and thought leadership through our Speakers Bureau.

Please don’t hesitate to call at + 1 406 543 4108 or email info@biomimicry.net. Our staff works around the globe, but our headquarters are in Missoula, Montana, and we have an office in Helena, Montana. Learn more on our Contact Us page.

We draw from 3.8 billion years worth of evolutionary R&D and employ a methodology envisioned by our founders, Janine Benyus and Dr. Dayna Baumeister, who have been helping clients innovate with biomimicry since 1998. Our Innovation Services pillar offers biomimicry consulting services that guarantees new innovation perspective, whether your team scoping new innovation opportunities, has a building-design opportunity, or want to assess and enhance the sustainability of a product, organization, or service. Explore all the options and see how we can work together on our Innovation Services page.

A common path for many first­-time clients is to begin with an introductory, customized biomimicry workshop, including a presentation for your team to explain the fundamental processes and innovation benefits of biomimicry. Then, we’ll begin to explore the potential within your company or industry. Explore our Innovation Services page to learn more, or email us at info@biomimicry.net to set up a meeting to discuss all the introduction to biomimicry options.

We can help drive innovation inspiration from any point in a project. Our consulting services employ a methodology designed to fit into any stage of the design process, and can be applied to problems across all sectors and disciplines–from ideation to product development and auditing. Email us at info@biomimicry.net to set up a meeting to discuss all the introduction to biomimicry options.

To date, we’ve worked with clients in almost 30 different sectors, helping to engage the power of nature’s genius to solve their most vexing challenges. Whatever the challenge or industry, we start by asking, “What would nature do here?” That means we’ve worked in every sector from aerospace to utilities. You can view a subset of our work examples on the Past Work page. Curious about work in an industry not listed there? Email us at info@biomimicry.net and we’ll fill you in.

We’re proud to include an inspiring set of client work examples on the Past Work page. The page includes a subset of our favorite work, from using biomimicry to create a monsoon-proof landscape plan to getting sustainable packaging lessons from beetle wings.

We encourage anyone and everyone to begin exploring biomimicry with the "Biomimicry Resource Handbook: A Seedbank of Best Practices" in our Shop. Our Immersion Workshops and certification programs are open to professional- and university-level participants who want to join a hopeful, curious, and inspiring community ready to discover the tools they need to integrate biomimicry into their work and career. See a full breakdown of our trainings and programs on our Professional Training page.

Yes! In 2014, we collaborated with Arizona State University to create the Biomimicry Center at the ASU campus. Currently, the Center offers the world’s first accredited Graduate Certificate in Biomimicry and the first accredited Master of Science in Biomimicry. Both programs are taught completely online by Biomimicry 3.8 and ASU instructors, and they are a core component of Biomimicry 3.8’s professional training certifications. Full program overviews and tuition costs are online at Biomimicry.asu.edu.

Start at our Immersion Workshop page, where the upcoming workshops are listed. From there, you can access the individual workshop page and find the "Register Now" button.

Biomimicry 3.8’s (B3.8’s) professional certification programs are a combination of ASU’s online degree programs plus B3.8’s in-person training sessions. Participants have the option of earning just the online degree from ASU, or applying to go deeper with the in-person segments required for the professional training certifications—the Certified Biomimicry Professional or Biomimicry Specialist programs.

B3.8’s in-person workshops and programs center around taking people outside to (re)connect with nature, allowing the sustainable strategies that have evolved in nature over 3.8 billion years to be discovered. When it comes to practicing biomimicry—applying lessons from nature to your challenges—immersing yourself in nature, learning among an interdisciplinary community, and being guided by expert instructors in biomimicry is essential.

Costs vary by program and offering. All costs are listed on individual offering pages. Visit the Professional Training page for a list of all offerings and pricing.

Submit our online Speakers Bureau request form on the Speakers Bureau page. It’ll ask you to provide information about your event, some information about the event focus, and who you’d like to request. Please provide as much information as possible, and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.

All our speakers bios and a list of their recent speaking engagements (with video, audio, or press coverage of many events) can be found on the Speakers Bureau page. Still need more? Explore the Who We Are , Speaking Engagement, and Newsroom pages.

Exploring Biomimicry.net, and the Speakers Bureau page will help you understand what we do and introduce you to our speakers, their specialities, and give you a chance to see them in action. We can also connect you with an extensive network of professionals around the world. Summit the Speakers Bureau request form on the Speakers Bureau page, including as much information as possible, and we’ll get you more information about all the options.

Our Speakers Bureau represents numerous biomimicry practitioners with a wide range of professional experiences. Each speaker is a biomimicry thought leader trained in the practice with areas of niche expertise that span everything from green chemistry to architecture. Take a look at their bios on our Speakers Bureau page for more information. Want more information? Summit the Speakers Bureau request form, including as much information as possible, and we’ll get you more information about all the options.

All of our speaking events are listed on our Events calendar within The Buzz section. For email notices about where we’ll be throughout the year, sign up for our email list in the footer.