BiomimicryWaterTreatment

This project is funded by the Water Research Commission and lead by Golder Associates with biomimicrySA  providing the biomimicry expertise on the team. The project is based on using biomimicry-based innovation ideas to take forward in the context of the challenges and opportunities for Constructed Wetlands and rehabilitation of natural wetlands. This study will look to exploit knowledge on how nature cleans water, to better engineer constructed wetlands to meet the challenges of current and emerging pollutants and pathogens. The core project team consists of engineers and scientists with experience in various sectors. Experts will be consulted and invited to participate in workshops and seminars in order to incorporate their knowledge and deliver a novel approach to constructed wetland (CW) designs for water treatment. The project began in April 2011 and will continue for 5 years.

Aims of the project include:

  1. Undertake a literature review to identify challenges and opportunities in constructed wetland applications with emphasis on the South African context and priority pollutants
  2. To review current knowledge of natural wetlands and natural water treatment processing, applying the biomimicry methodology to develop innovative concepts to design constructed wetlands and contribute to sustainable livelihoods.
  3. To engage in discussion sessions with multi-disciplinary teams in order to develop novel approaches to constructed wetland design and operations
  4. To explore the feasibility of applying key biomimicry ideas to take forward in the context of constructed wetland design and natural wetland rehabilitation, through discussion sessions and workshops
  5. To record feasible innovative research avenues identified in the scoping phase of the project and design an experimental investigation that can be taken forward to answer and test the design concepts
  6. The execution of experimental investigations at lab-scale to generate data on the design and performance of constructed wetlands.
  7. Reporting of findings from the laboratory investigations and development of conclusions leading to new solutions for enhancing constructed wetland performance.
For more information: contact claire[a]biomimicrysa.co.za

 

NaturallyKnysna

TheNaturally Knysna™ initiative was conceptualized and developed and is being spearheaded by Sue Swain of Biowise, which is a Non-Profit Company that is dedicated to raising awareness and educating on biomimicry, natural systems thinking and nature-inspired solutions. The town of Knysna is turning to Nature for answers… Why? Nature has had 3.8 billion years of experience in getting it right! From architecture (termite towers that have natural air conditioning), to engineering (bamboo stems that have twice the compression strength of concrete), to crafting miracle materials (spider’s silk ounce for ounce 5 times stronger than steel) – Nature does it in a way that doesn’t harm or deplete the earth. Equally exciting, is the fact that there are whole (eco)systems that are just like towns, where a diversity of organisms live successfully in complex, self-organised, self-sustaining, self-reliant communities. And so, we have turned to our own unique ecosystem, the Knysna Forest, to discover the secrets of its success. Out of this has evolved the “Naturally Knysna” initiative which is essentially a blueprint for Knysna based on the guiding principles that have ensured the forest’s survival and resilience for millennia.

Naturally Knysna is about emerging a whole new economy… • an economy led by innovation and creativity that is inspired by nature • an economy in which entrepreneurial opportunities abound, • an economy that contributes positively to the healthy functioning of the system (town) as a whole Naturally Knysna is relevant to all sectors (tourism, business, industry, agriculture, education, conservation, community) and applicable to all professions. It is a way of life that unites us all and, if embraced with integrity and applied with commitment, is a unique branding opportunity that will showcase us as the nature-inspired capital of the world. In learning to “function like a forest”, we will flourish as a forest does. Following Nature’s principles, Knysna will develop into a naturally prosperous, dynamic, life-friendly, vibrant, diverse town – a town worthy of its beautiful surroundings and a natural extension of it.

For more information: contact sue[a]biowise.org.za

 

DiscoveryPark

The Discovery Park is planned as a key component within the Naturally Knysna project initiated and run by Biowise. The Discovery Park itself aims to be a demonstration of the opportunities and solutions that can be realised through biomimicry. Biomimicry will serve as the fundamental approach that enhances multiple opportunities – educational, eco-tourism, conservation, research, design and innovation. Biomimicry will be showcased in this space and will also be served through the research that takes place there.

At one level the Park aims to be an edutainment centre and tourism attraction – showcasing a new way of viewing and valuing nature through experiential activities, models, exhibitions and demonstrations on biomimicry.  At the same time the Park will provide highly relevant research and educational opportunities.

The Park is made possible through the collaboration of key institutions that work together to bring it into being and to form a core part of its operation. The space demonstrates research in action through the collaboration with Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). It grows knowledge and skills through BioWise and Naturally Knysna. It serves as a model for beneficial economic development for Western Province Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and serves as an innovation hub for the Western Cape. It provides a showcase for biomimicry supported by BiomimicrySA and for the Blue Economy, supported by ZERISA.

For more information contact: Susan Swain of BioWise: sue[a]biowise.org.za

 

LearningJourneyProjects2012

biomimicrySA is supporting a Learning Journey of workshops and projects for 2012. The aim is for individuals to complete a number of workshops run by biomimicrySA and partners – each of which build on the biomimicry knowledge and skills of local biomimicry practitioners. Workshops include:

  • Introduction to Biomimicry & Life’s Principles run by biomimicrySA,
  • Design Process run by lecturers from Cape Peninsula University of Technology Design Department
  • The Business of Biomimicry run by Elspeth Donovan of the Cambridge Program for Sustainability Leadership
  • Systems Thinking and Biomimicry run by Genius Works & biomimicrySA
  • Biomimicry for Educators
  • and others…for more information on the workshops see the Scheduled Events page.

In addition to the workshops, participants in the Learning Journey will work on a 6 month practical project with support from the biomimicrySA team. These projects will run from Jun-Dec 2012 and more information on these will be posted as they are established. Projects will include integrating biomimicry into your field of work/education curriculum, community projects, design innovation, research, etc.