Janine Benyus Biography

“The more our world functions like the natural world, the more likely we are to endure on this home that is ours, but not ours alone.” Janine Benyus

Janine Benyus is an American biologist, innovation consultant and natural science writer. She is partner and co-founder of Biomimicry, consultancy that deals with nature design and process to create more sustainable and healthier planet. Benyus has attended various international conferences as a biologist and has presented her views on how nature process and designed can be emulated to create sustainable planet. Benyus has gained name and fame and has achieved various international recognitions for her work in Environment science and Biology. Born on 1958, Benyus founded the world’s first bio-inspired consultancy that works in bringing nature’s sustainable designs to 250+ clients including Nike, GE, Interface and General Mills.

Benyus graduated from Rutgers University with distinction in natural resource management and English literature/writing. She has also experience of working as a teacher of interpretive writing at the University of Montana, where she also works towards preserving and protecting wild lands. Currently she is working with number of land use committees in her rural province and currently serves a nonprofit dedicated to place-based living and learning, Living education as a president.

Benyus’s contribution in Biomimicry is something that has been never done before. In 1998 she co-founded this innovative consultancy which helps innovators learn from and imitate natural design so as to design sustainable products and policies that create healthier planet.  She works for clients such as Boeing that throws pollutants in large volume. She helps such clients on how to achieve innovations inspired by nature. Benyus is author of six books on biomimicry among which Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature is one her famous book. In this book she has stated that human beings should consciously follow nature’s design in their designs. She is also holding position of president of a non-profit organization that works to naturalize biomimicry in the culture by focusing on the transfer of ideas, strategies and design from nature to human system designs,The Biomimicry Institute.

She has authored various books including Beastly Behaviour: A zoo Lover’s Companion, Northwoods Wildlife: AWatcher’s guide to Habitats, The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States, Wildlife in the upper Great Lakes Region a Community profile and Christmas Tree Pest Manula. Recognizing her contribution in Environment and Biology, various organizations have awarded her. She is recipient of  Women of Discovery Award in 2006 from WINGS WorldQuest, Rachel Carson Environmental Ethics Award, Lud Browman Award for Science Writing, Science Writing in Society Journalism Award. She has also received Barrows and Heinz Distinguished Lectureships, Design Futures Council Senior Fellow and 2012 Heinz Award.

There is not much more information about her personal life. She remained silent about her relationships and affairs. Hardworking and dedicated personality Benyus takes Nature and Envirnoment as her long term friends. To get latest update and information of her she can be followed in social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagaram.

• Science writer