Do trees take the shape of the voices they have heard?
That was one question that popped up on a walk when we saw this magnificent old tree with a gnarled trunk. A trunk filled with faces and animals. . .
Trees are a precious part of our heritage, and at the very beginning of our human experience, trees were considered sacred and honourable. For example, oak trees were worshipped by the Druids.
If you look carefully, you can discover treasures in old tree trunks. Colours, shapes and textures in the natural environment are a true inspiration, and trees are living monuments that inspire feelings of awe and mystery. What things have trees seen and heard? People arguing, or singing. . . . Dogs chasing rabbits. Butterflies fluttering of joy. . .
Trees may not talk or walk, but trees have their own special language. A language that we can discover if we truly look at a tree and stand still and listen. A wonderful way to spark children’s imagination and creativity.
Why did the tree hear that, which made it split its trunk? And what is the tree saying to the tree that is standing next to it?
Put your head against the trunk and listen!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the practice of looking to nature for solutions, then applying what we learn to design and problem-solving. Instead of inventing from scratch, it means studying how plants, animals, and ecosystems have already solved a challenge — like staying cool, collecting water, or absorbing carbon — and adapting that strategy for human use.
How does biomimicry help address climate change?
Nature has been adapting to extreme conditions for billions of years, so many organisms already hold working solutions to problems we now face at a larger scale — cooling buildings without electricity (termite mounds), collecting water in drought (the Namib beetle), protecting coastlines from storms (mangrove roots), and capturing carbon (corals, forests, kelp). Biomimicry means studying those solutions and applying the same principles to human design.
How can children get involved in biomimicry?
Children don’t need special training to think like a biomimicrist — just curiosity and a habit of asking “how does nature solve this?” Simple ways to start include a backyard scavenger hunt for nature’s patterns, a “design-an-animal” challenge for a changing climate, or building a small model (like a passive-cooling structure or a water collector) inspired by something they’ve observed outdoors.
Is biomimicry only for scientists and engineers?
No — biomimicry is as much a mindset as a profession. Anyone can practice it by observing nature closely and asking design questions. Professional biomimicry practitioners apply it in architecture, materials science, and engineering, but the same core skill — careful observation followed by “what if we built it that way?” — is exactly what this post’s classroom and family activities are designed to build in children.
Åsa Jomård
In 2015, Åsa completed a course in Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. With over 10 years of experience exploring nature for inspiration and as a former member of Ben, Biomimicry Education Network, she brings both academic background and creative teaching experience to her work. Her materials seamlessly integrate stories, nature observations, and design challenges, making them perfect for inquiry-led learning in early primary contexts.
AI was used as a Thinking Partner.
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