6 minute read
T he Bitter End The Wonders of Biomimicry
By Captain Dan Foulds
One evening recently, I got a call from fellow Freedom Boat Club member Scott Boylston. Scott teaches at the Savannah College of Art and Design and enjoys being on the water as much as I do. He has devised a way to share our coastal environment with his students and enable learning at the same time: they go to the beach! During our conversation, Scott asked if I would be willing to take some of his students out to Wassaw Island in one of the Freedom boats for a day of research.
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“Sure, any excuse to go to Wassaw is a good one!”
So, on a beautiful morning several of his students showed up at Bahia Bleu. Scott was taking one boatload, I was taking another. (I also had Cathy Sakas, board president of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center on my boat – and don’t think I didn’t pick her brain all the way to and from. She knows more about the estuarine environment than most folks, and some of her stories are now my stories.)
As Scott explained, “Biomimicry is the design and production of materials, structures and systems that are modeled on biological entities and processes.” How cool is that? We can look to nature as we solve problems – and learning from nature, we can come up with solutions that are less injurious to the environment and less resourceintensive.
From the Biomimicry Institute’s website (www.biomimicry.org), “Biomimicry is an approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies.”
That right there is smooth and cool. Nature knows how to do things very efficiently, with a minimum of muss and fuss. Nature doesn’t waste time or energy. If you look at the fluid distribution system in a leaf or a lung, you will find that they look very similar, and you won’t find any 90 degree turns in any of the pipes. But such turns exist everywhere in the fluid distribution systems in boats and buildings. How much energy – and money – might we save if we designed boats and buildings and cars and infrastructure in accordance with the laws of nature?
As Lucky Jack Aubrey said in the film Master and Commander, “What an amazing modern age we live in.”
Scott Boylston has an anecdote about Japan’s high-speed trains that’s particularly fascinating because it directly involves my favorite environment and the things that live in it. When the original bullet trains were running at 300 kilometers per hour through tunnels, the rounded nose would push a pressure wave, traveling at the speed of sound, in front of it. This pulse would exit the tunnels along the route with a “tunnel boom” that was disturbing and dangerous. Design engineer Eiji Nakatsu, who is also a bird watcher, took inspiration from the beak of the Kingfisher bird. The Kingfisher’s beak has adapted to penetrating water surfaces at very high speeds with no splash. The Shinkansen nosecone copies the Kingfisher’s natural adaptation! Just imagine the other natural adaptations Scott and his students might discover and bring to market!
While on the beach, the SCAD students caught and released various forms of wildlife, such as crabs, shrimp, and small fish. They scoured the beach above and below the tideline and used a small net in the shallows for their collection and observation. They were careful to leave the environment intact, and as they found it with nothing added but footprints and nothing taken but knowledge. I have hope that we can all learn from our environment, and do a better job of leaving it intact.
Be gentle to man and machine.
Bull River Yacht Club Unit 704
This is one of the most unique and special building complexes in the Savannah area. Unending views of the marsh and water. This 3 BR, 3 BA unit is on the far side and upper level. It is waiting for you to enjoy the balcony deck for dinner or drinks. Once you enter the property you will see water from every angle. The high end finishes just top it off. Welcome to the best view with privacy to boot. Enjoy the 4th Fireworks at Tybee from your private unit or come up one floor for rooftop amenities in the pool or table entertaining alcoves. This unit has water views from all of the common areas, one guest room and the master bedroom. Secure building and parking. Coded entry to the unit. This is the property for the discerning buyer. It has it all. Views, privacy, lock and leave potential, upgrades galore et all. $674,000
Pooler
This 4 BD, 2.5 BA home is one of the largest in the neighborhood. All of the family is together upstairs with lots of family rooms to boot. Huge bonus room upstairs. Large open floorplan downstairs with separate dining room, living room, sun room and an additional office. Great open kitchen with two counters for eating and a large breakfast room. Directly off this room is the double sized patio. Private backyard. No building behind you. Located on a cul de sac. The master bedroom is oversized with a sitting area. The master shower is huge and has a separate water closet. Directly off the master bath is a huge walk in closet and with access to the laundry room. Lots of amenities. Playground and pool. $274,000
Dutch Island
This wonderful 5 BD, 3.5 BA family home is ready for you. From the open floorplan with lots of entertaining areas to the back deck overlooking the tidal lagoon, everyone has a space. This is a true 5 BR home with 3.5 baths. Split floorplan and master is on the first floor along with two other bedrooms. Living Room with FP and builtins and Dining Room welcome you as you enter. The family room and kitchen are open to each other and the back deck. Oversized two car garage is deep enough for storage and cabinets. This community is so perfect for your family. Lots of amenities. Gated community but close to all shopping and schools. Don’t miss the crab trap right out your back door. $495,000
Wilmington Island
This Spacious 3 BR 2.5 BA home in lake front in Palmetto Cove. Great floor plan with the master suite on the main level and 2 additional bedrooms upstairs. This home features a formal dining room as well as an eat in kitchen, family room, 2 car garage, large pantry and a laundry room. The home also features a screened in porch overlooking the lake. $319,500
Palmetto Bay Road
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Pooler
This is a very special area and home. Located just off Pooler Parkway with easy access to I-16 and Savannah. A gated community with amenities that just do not stop. Private dinner club, exercise studio, tennis facilities, and a pool entertaining area that far exceeds any expectations. This 4 BR/3.5 BA home is located on one of the wonderful estate lots that is just over an acre. Custom built with two master suites. One upstairs and one down. Perfect for a multi generational family. Four bedrooms and a large bonus room. Multiple living and entertaining areas. There are minumum requirements for the dinner club. Come make this your perfect family home and enjoy all that Westbrook has to offer. $609,000
Mosswood Subdivsion
Desirable gated Mosswood subdivision. This 3 BR 2.5 BA beautiful Brooke plan has it all! This spacious, open plan with 3 bedrooms plus a loft boasts laminate wood floors throughout main floor living space, upgraded carpeting in bedrooms, loft and stairs. Huge, upgraded kitchen island w/sink has granite counters & stainless appliances. Large breakfast area. Tiled separate shower/tub in owner’s bath. Walk-in owner’s closet and tray ceiling in owner’s room. Spacious bedrooms. Covered back patio gives you an inviting space for grilling and entertaining. To top it off - its on a corner lot! $264,900
Burnside Island
OMG!! 4BRs, 3BAs. That is all you can say about these views over the marsh and Vernon River. The sunsets alone are breathtaking. This traditional Low Country home is located on 2.8 acres and has views out of every window. Inground pool and screened porch overlooking the view as well. This estate is perfect for the discerning owner with privacy and lots of potential for gardens or a fam ily compound. Burnside Island is a unique island with single family homes and lots of walking, rid ing, etc. Golf cart approved island. Owner may ap ply for membership in the Burnside Island Yacht Club on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Midtown
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Isle Of Hope
This wonderful 2 BD 2.5 BA home was originally the location of a dairy farm. Two buildings for living. One two story with a wonderful master suite upstairs with new bath and large closet. Separate “bunkhouse” has full bath, bedroom, kitchen and living area. They are joined by a cozy courtyard and expansive deck perfect for back yard enthusiasts. Large detached workshop and several outdoor storage buildings. Welcome to Isle of Hope! Walk everywhere. To the marina, to the community pool, along Bluff Drive with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The community is one the few golf cart approved areas. This special historic home is for the lover of beautiful and unique properties. Perfect for second residence or investment. $360,000
