Learning from Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast with Lily Urmann

It's on every continent, and in every terrestrial ecosystem. It's beneath our feet on most hikes and it's often overlooked: lichens! In this episode, Dr. Troy McMullin, the chief lichenologist at the Canadian Museum of Nature, gives an insightful overview of what lichens are, describes their many interesting strategies, and shares why you should care. We dive into their unique symbiotic partnership, their range of amazing structures, and how they are an important part of our future here on Earth. Grab a jeweler's loupe, put on your adventure shoes, and immerse yourself in a tiny world of awe and wonder. Troy McMullin Biography Lichens: The Macrolichens of Ontario and the Great Lakes Region of the United StatesThe Secret World of Lichens: A Young Naturalist's GuideGrab your Learning from Nature merch!Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilylearnsfromnature If you want to begin your own learning from nature journey, take a course from Learn Biomimicry. Listeners can save 20% on the Biomimicry Short Course Set, and 10% on the Biomimicry Practitioner and Educator Program with code LEARNINGFROMNATURE or by visiting this link. Thank you Pine Peak Productions for helping to evolve Learning from Nature to the next level! Support the show

In the fourth episode of our limited series Knowledge Symbiosis: Can Biomimicry and Indigenous Science Harmonize?, Roxanne Swentzell and Anne LaForti engage in a conversation hosted by Sara El-Sayed, converging Indigenous ideologies and scientific understanding of soils, seeds, regenerative versus sustainable terminologies, and steps to healing ourselves and our ecosystems. This limited series is produced by The Cultural Conservancy's Native Seed Pod, Arizona State University, and Learning From Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast, with music and soundscapes by Colin Farish.Support the show

In the third episode of our limited series Knowledge Symbiosis: Can Biomimicry and Indigenous Science Harmonize?, PennElys Droz and Maibritt Pederson Zari  engage in conversation hosted by Lily Urmann, exploring cosmologies, paradigm shifts and how to be in good relationship while we co-create and design as humans within creation. They outline principles of regenerative design in communities, and how we all might engage in decolonization as well as learn from Indigenous ecological relationships. This limited series is produced by The Cultural Conservancy'sNative Seed Pod, Arizona State University, and Learning From Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast, with music and soundscapes by Colin Farish.Support the show

In this second episode of the limited series Knowledge Symbiosis: Can Biomimicry and Indigenous Science Harmonize?, Dayna Baumeister and Melissa K Nelson continue their conversation, hosted by Sara El-Sayed, exploring the common ground and mapping the divergences between Indigenous science and biomimicry. They dive into the nature of biomimicry and Indigenous knowledges and how they are often misconstrued by non-practitioners; potential ethical limits to seeking knowledge; and an ethical space of engagement for biomimicry practitioners and Indigenous knowledge-holders. This limited series is produced by The Cultural Conservancy's Native Seed Pod, Arizona State University, and Learning From Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast, with music and soundscapes by Colin Farish.Support the show

In this inaugural episode of the limited series Knowledge Symbiosis: Can Biomimicry and Indigenous Science Harmonize?, Dayna Baumeister joins Melissa K. Nelson and Sara El-Sayed in a conversation exploring the common ground and mapping the divergences between Indigenous science and biomimicry. SERIES SYNOPSISBiomimicry, nature-inspired design, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), or Indigenous Knowledge Systems, both have roots in nature and a deep respect for natural processes. However, the two fields have different worldviews: biomimicry is oriented from a Western science perspective, while TEK emerges from Indigenous, spiritual, and cosmological worldviews. With a common source of inspiration, professionals in both fields recognize the potential for collaboration, yet no formal efforts or conversations in this realm have been published for a wide audience. This podcast series, Knowledge Symbiosis: Can Biomimicry and Indigenous Science Harmonize? invites dialogue from both perspectives—practitioners in biomimicry, and elders, practitioners, and Indigenous scholars—so we might better understand each other and explore opportunities to weave these learnings. Five episodes will be available on The Native Seed Pod and Learning From Nature:The Biomimicry Podcast for listeners to tune in and reflect. The episodes are hosted in rotation by Dr. Melissa Nelson, Dr. Sara El-Sayed, and Lily Urmann, and feature conversations between Kim Tall Bear, Janine Benyus, Dayna Baumeister, PennElys Droz, Maibritt Pederson,  Anne LaForti, and Roxanne Swentzell. These conversations delve into the ethics of science, human-nature connection, regenerative design, and our relationship to all other kin on this planet. This limited series is produced by The Cultural Conservancy's Native Seed Pod, Arizona State University, and Learning From Nature: The Biomimicry Podcast, with music and soundscapes by Colin Farish.Support the show

A fun fact for your next party conversation: humans have over 30 trillion cells in our bodies, and 70-90% of those cells are bacterial and fungal! Look no further than exploring the microbiomes of biology when you need your next existential crisis -- or next rabbit hole of fascination to dive into. While mucus and the microbiome might not be the classic poster-child of biomimicry, there is so much we can learn from these elegant, strange, and efficient strategies. Erin Miller discusses the power of a beginner mindset, companies leading the way in developing applications, and curiosity-driven learning. Grab your Learning from Nature merch!Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilylearnsfromnatureIf you want to begin your own learning from nature journey, take a course from Learn Biomimicry. Listeners can save 20% on the Biomimicry Short Course Set, and 10% on the Biomimicry Practitioner and Educator Program with code LEARNINGFROMNATURE or by visiting this link.Support the show

Many of us are either afraid of or avoid chemistry simply because of the way we were taught the topic in school. Yet chemistry is all around us: in the leaves of your backyard tree and the snail inching along the sidewalk. It's also a crucial component to the practice of biomimicry.  In this episode, explore the topic of green chemistry with one of its founding members: Dr. John Warner. Nature runs on sunlight, breaks down products into benign constituents, builds selectively with a small subset of elements, and does chemistry in water. It's beautiful and elegant. Yet most of the chemicals we use to make our products, create our designs, and even add to the food we eat are toxic for the planet and our bodies. We have a lot to learn from nature's time-tested and life-friendly chemistry! Grab your Learning from Nature merch!Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilylearnsfromnatureIf you want to begin your own learning from nature journey, take a course from Learn Biomimicry. Listeners can save 20% on the Biomimicry Short Course Set, and 10% on the Biomimicry Practitioner and Educator Program with code LEARNINGFROMNATURE or by visiting this link.Support the show

If you've ever sat on the forest floor marveling at a beautiful red or purple mushroom, this episode is for you! My guest and fellow biomimic Ximena Curiel will dive deep into what mushrooms are, why they are different colors, what the purposes of these colors are in nature, and explain how we can use these pigments in sustainable dyeing, artwork, and clothing. It's a fun journey of discovery, wonder, and awe that will have you gathering your foraging books and calling your friends to go look for some of these incredible organisms near you. Grab your Learning from Nature merch!Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilylearnsfromnatureIf you want to begin your own learning from nature journey, take a course from Learn Biomimicry. Listeners can save 20% on the Biomimicry Short Course Set, and 10% on the Biomimicry Practitioner and Educator Program with code LEARNINGFROMNATURE or by visiting this link.Support the show

Our buildings use A LOT of energy to heat and cool, and because of this they contribute drastically to global carbon emissions. But what if we borrowed design inspiration from the amazing ability of squids to shift colors and control light in order to reduce or eliminate excess energy needs? In this episode with Raphael Kay, explore how these underwater creatures are so efficient and what strategies we can translate to our built environment. We also discuss why practicing meaningful biomimicry is needed now more than ever, and how cross-disciplinary research is a pathway to a life-friendly future. This full hour episode is well worth your time! Grab your Learning from Nature merch!Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilylearnsfromnatureIf you want to begin your own learning from nature journey, take a course from Learn Biomimicry. Listeners can save 20% on the Biomimicry Short Course Set, and 10% on the Biomimicry Practitioner and Educator Program with code LEARNINGFROMNATURE or by visiting this link.Support the show

Our world is full of intricate, complex, and elegant strategies. In this episode we explore one such strategy that might surprise you: the decision-making sneezes of African wild dogs. Explore this unique topic with Ebenezar Wikina, founder of Policy Shapers and campaign strategist at Change.org, who completed his Learn Biomimicry practitioner's project on applying this sneeze democracy to the United Nations. The potential of learning from nature's efficient systems can be applied in a wide range of sectors: and this is a wonderful example that will leave you hopeful and inspired! Grab your Learning from Nature merch!Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilylearnsfromnatureIf you want to begin your own learning from nature journey, take a course from Learn Biomimicry. Listeners can save 20% on the Biomimicry Short Course Set, and 10% on the Biomimicry Practitioner and Educator Program with code LEARNINGFROMNATURE or by visiting this link.Support the show