Naturally Knysna

 

NATURALLY KNYSNA

The Naturally 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

 

 

DISCOVERY PARK

 

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.

 

The first phase of concept design for the Discovery Park began at the end of January 2013. Mick Pearce (designer of the Eastgate centre in Harare that mimics temperature regulation of termite mounds) is one of the architects on the concept design team.

 

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