Restoring Your Ecological Awareness

How deep reconnection can guide nature-based wisdom and solutions
Facilitated by Dr. Deborah Benham

 

Many of us feel disconnected from nature and powerless in the face of the ecological, climate, and biodiversity crises. This course offers a different, hopeful perspective rooted in agency and positive action, showing how regular practices of deep nature reconnection can rebuild empathy, belonging, and ecological awareness. Through practical, applied learning, participants will enhance their sensory and observational skills and integrate foundational reconnection practices into daily life. By developing deeper relationships with local places, species, and ecosystems, we learn how living systems work and how humans can become a positive force—designing more creative, life-supporting responses to today’s challenges.
 
In this course, you will develop an understanding of: 
  • The Importance of Deep Nature Reconnection 
    • The sense of separation from nature and how we can re-apprentice to life
    • Deep Nature Connection and why is it critical for Biomimicry
    • Becoming Keystone: the possibility of humanity as net positive contributors in our places and ecosystems.
    • Emerging wisdom from the nature connection movement and nature connection research.
  • Reconnection in Practice 
    • Establishing a Personal Practice: core routines of deep nature reconnection for relationality, sensory expansion, and enhanced observation
    • Reconnection as the practical foundation for intrinsic ecological awareness, deeper ecoliteracy and more effective nature-led design.
    • The Role of Community: peer mentoring, storytelling/catching, emotion-beauty-wonder, and building nature connected community, as pathways to deeper connection. 

 

This course runs from March 5th - 26th, with live classes held on Thursdays 11am - 12:30pm PT via Zoom. Recordings will be available for registrants who are unable to attend a session. 

 

Dr Deborah Benham guides people and organizations to reconnect with and learn from nature's 3.8 billion years of innovation. As co-lead of Transition Network International, an ecologist and accredited Biomimicry Educator, she works globally to help communities, businesses, and nonprofits design regenerative futures.

With a PhD in marine conservation and 28 years spanning wildlife ecology, sustainability education, and community resilience, Deborah has supported transformation across multiple countries—from ecovillages to international networks. She's a Gaia Education trainer, deep nature connection practitioner, and developer of the Becoming Ecological Citizens Framework.

Currently leading the Living Systems Alliance (a collaboration between Transition Network International, Permaculture Association, Global Ecovillage Network, Kincentric Leadership and Biomimicry Institute), Deborah lives in Bridport's pioneering co-housing community, practicing the regenerative principles she teaches. Her warmth, scientific rigor, and story-rich approach inspire audiences to become active contributors to thriving communities and ecosystems.

 

AskNature Hive members receive $100 off course fee, with discount code shared in the Watering Hole. 

Students receive 20% off course fee; please email media@biomimicry.org with picture of current ID to receive discount code. 

 

 
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