The answers to many of the problems we’re facing can be found in nature or its remarkable creatures! From sustainable farming to transportation, pest prevention, and healthcare, this circle of articles celebrates the ways we’ve been teaming up with nature to find innovative solutions.

When every creature, plant, and organism in between has evolved with unique abilities, there’s a whole slew of knowledge that we can partner with! Explore the articles in this circle to get a taste of what’s possible.

In this Circle

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Image: Dragonfly wing closeup

Need to Solve a Problem? Turn to Nature!

7 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

The natural world is a remarkable problem solver. So, why aren't we turning to nature to find more answers to our complex problems? Here's how biomimicry is helping us build a better future!
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Image: Close up photo of the face of a Black Soldier Fly with its tiger striped compound eyes

Artificial Intelligence Meets Black Soldier Flies and Farming!

15 minutes

[ Conspiracy of Goodness ]

By Sam Burns

When it comes to saving the resources of our planet, we are all hoping for the next big idea to come along. Well, this one involves a very tiny creature that brings an amazing resume to the task. Let's meet them!
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Image: a boy and his seizure response dog train together

Here’s How Seizure Detecting Dogs are Changing People’s Lives

11 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

Can dogs really be life-savers? Meet the dogs that are helping their owners detect seizures up to 45 minutes before they occur! It's a fascinating story. These pups are making life safer and easier for people who suffer from seizures.
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Image: Man standing next to a termite mound in the desert that is taller than he is

Meet the Planet’s Most Remarkable Engineers

7 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

Imagine a world of natural air conditioning, vertical farming, and sky scrapers that rival our tallest buildings. You don't have to travel to the future to see any of this, all you have to do is turn to the insect world!
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Image: Inmate at Monroe County Jail caring for an emu

A Second Chance for Abandoned Animals and Inmates

11 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Dr. Lynda

Here's a great example of the kinds of stories the nightly news could be bringing us, instead of all the doom and gloom. Another thought-leaders - the Monroe County Jail - teaches us about possibility.
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Sheepdogs: the Brilliant Relationship of Man and Dog

24 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

The relationship between man and dog is a unique part of our shared evolutionary history. Here's a look at beautiful way they continue to fit into that history from many perspectives...
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Image: Group of Indian Runner Ducks

Replacing DEET with Ducks?

5 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Sam Burns

With help from our friends, we could waddle our way into a healthier future! Lets see how this is happening in parts of our world today...
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Image: sled dog team pulling a sled

Say Hello Best Way to Get Around in the Snow

15 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Sam Burns

Think you know all you need to know about dog sledding? Our relationship with these pups has altered history and has been one of the most unfailing and versatile forms of transportation for thousands of years. Here are a few fascinating stories...
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Image: Two dung beetles rolling a perfect ball of dung ten times larger than they are!

The Planet’s Unsung Hero, the Dung Beetle

11 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

There's a remarkable reason why there is not dung everywhere in our world. Think about it: the multitudes of creatures on this planet produce a lot of waste! So, what happens to all of it? Well, let us introduce you to one of the planet's greatest unsung heroes, the dung beetle! Get ready to be astonished.
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Unearthing the DNA of the Jungle with Leeches

7 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

How can leeches help biologist study remote ecosystems? It turns out researchers can use these often overlooked creatures to learn about species hidden from view! Here's the fascinating story.
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Using Bird Vomit to Uncover History!

9 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

How can owl pellets help us make conservation decisions? It turns out a little bit of gross science can have a big impact! And it's actually pretty cool!
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Image: fruit flies on an orange

You Should Really Thank the Fruit Flies

6 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Sam Burns

Would you believe that your genes are super similar to a fruit fly's? They've been helping us discover our own bodies for years, here's how...
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Image: a chain of weaver ants bridges two leaves

What Ants Can Teach Us About Problem-Solving

18 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

Did you know that there is FAR more to the ant/human relationship than painful bites? Turns out, weaver ants have been used for centuries to help farmers protect their crops! And better yet, these remarkable problem-solvers have some tips that can teach us all about our own lives.
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Image: Jerboa, a tiny desert rodent with a long tail and long back legs like a T. Rex

How a Tiny Creature Makes Us Ask Better Questions…

6 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Liesl Ulrich-Verderber

The jerboa may look like the tiny rodent cousin of the t-rex, but the skeletons of these strange creatures are helping us answer questions with major implications in medicine.
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Image: Aerial View of Forest Garden

So, What’s a Food Forest?

22 minutes

[ Art ]

By Sam Burns

There's something growing on the South Coast of New Zealand that could change our lives. Check it out!
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Image: Goat with head cocked to the side looking at the camera with a bunch of grass in their mouth

Explore Joy, Wonder, and Insight in an Unexpected Package: Goats!

17 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Sam Burns

Let's get to know an animal with fascinating adaptations for survival and 10,000-year history beside us! We're going to investigate the world of these split-hooved, 280-degree peering creatures. Join us for a pajama party, a look into what makes a goat a living marvel, and how they can help us innovate!
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Meet the Rescue Dogs Saving the Environment!

7 minutes

[ Animals ]

By Sam Burns

Rescue dogs are now becoming conservation superheroes too! Meet the pups getting a new life at the forefront of saving ecosystems, anti-poaching, and amazing conservation efforts.
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