Janine M. Benyus is a pioneering natural sciences writer, innovation consultant, and leading advocate for biomimicry, a practice that draws sustainable design inspiration from nature’s time-tested solutions. Co-founder of the Biomimicry Guild in 1998 and later, the Biomimicry Institute in 2006, Benyus has been instrumental in shaping the field of biomimicry and promoting its integration into diverse industries. As President of the Biomimicry Institute, she leads efforts to transfer ideas from biology into sustainable human systems design, including the launch of AskNature.org, an online resource showcasing nature’s solutions to design challenges.

Benyus’s work is grounded in the principles of sustainability, which she articulates through the concept of “Life’s Principles.” She emphasizes that organisms in nature evolve in ways that do not deplete their environment, running on sunlight, recycling everything, and thriving on cooperation, diversity, and local expertise. These principles guide the development of solutions that create what she calls “Conditions Conducive to Life” (CCL), a framework for designing systems that support both human and environmental well-being.

Through her company Biomimicry 3.8, co-founded in 2010, Benyus connects her nonprofit and for-profit efforts to offer consulting, professional training, and educational resources to organizations and individuals seeking to apply biomimicry in fields such as architecture, design, and sustainability. With over 250 clients, including Nike, Kohler, and Seventh Generation, and a global network of practitioners, Benyus’s work is influencing industries and helping shape a more sustainable future.

In addition to her consultancy and nonprofit work, Benyus has served on numerous boards, including the U.S. Green Building Council, and is an affiliate faculty member at The Biomimicry Center at Arizona State University. Her groundbreaking ideas have been featured in films like Biomimicry: Learning from Nature (2002) and Dirt! The Movie (2009), further expanding the reach and impact of biomimicry.

Through her books, talks, and consultancy, Janine M. Benyus continues to inspire a shift toward more sustainable, nature-inspired innovation, helping to foster a deeper connection between human ingenuity and the natural world.