Biomimicry is the design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes. This short YouTube series features the work of Wilson Alvarez at the Horn Farm Center in York County Pennsylvania.
Chapter 1: Missing Pieces
In the first chapter of a short series on the biomimicry work being done in York County Pennsylvania, we hear from Wilson Alvarez who is a permaculture instructor, a hand tool designer and a biomimetic restoration innovator. In chapter one, we get a sense of the problem and start to ask ourselves, what within my design and my plans affects the whole? Wilson also hints at the natural implements that we have removed and therefore must replace. Please use this as a springboard for discussion, thought and revision
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o11cdAwHSIU&w=560&h=315]
Chapter 2: The Elephant
In chapter 2, we take a look at the realities of the population. Shouldn\’t we view ourselves with the same lens in terms of carrying capacity when we talk about ecosystems?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36ue9h3SiZ8&w=560&h=315]
Suggested Further Reading: During our conversation, Wilson mentioned Half-Earth by Edward O. Wilson. A book that suggests we create a planet in which half remains wild and half is dominated by humans.
![](\"//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1631492527&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=forestranch-20&language=en_US\")
![\"\"](\"https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=forestranch-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=1631492527\")
Chapter 3: Our Story
What is the story of humans? How are we able to do the great things we have done? We have a talent that allowed us to cross continents and build tools and that is the ability to mimic.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xin9fpl4psk&w=560&h=315]
More installments of this series coming soon!
Chapter 4: Emergy
Learn about how Emergy or \”Embodied Energy\” plays into the impact we can make with human hands and simple tools.
Chapter 5: The Astronaut
As our series on the biomimicry work being done by Wilson Alvarez at the Horn Farm Center nears its end, we consider the difference between living or working intentionally in the woods vs using it as recreation. How do these different relationships affect our connection to natural or semi-wild spaces?
Chapter 6: Embark
This is the final chapter of our six part series featuring the work of Wilson Alvarez and others at the Horn Farm Center in York County Pennsylvania. Biomimicry is the concept of fulfilling the roles of ecosystem parts with something else. Some people apply this to machinery and technology, but the work of Alvarez applies it to humans doing the work of missing ecosystem pieces. As Wilson Alvarez and many others suggest, there is no shortage of humans… and the burden should shift to those who have intervened.