Elven Green World · Guided tour

Ecological design

Imaginative ideas about water, plants and shared land.

Stops
8
Time
20 to 30 minutes
Grades
3-9
Your guide: Gardener Watering the plantsI water the gardens of the elven city. Our city is imagined, but every stop on this walk shows a real idea that people are using today.
  1. Stop 1

    Spring circle

    Our water starts at a protected spring. Real cities, like New York, protect the forests around their reservoirs to keep water clean.

    What could harm a water source near you?

    Read the full page about the spring circle · Find it on the map

  2. Stop 2

    Wetland fountain

    Water from homes flows through reed beds, where plants and microbes clean it. Real towns build wetlands like this.

    How can plants clean water?

    Read the full page about the wetland fountain · Find it on the map

  3. Stop 3

    Green-roof cottage

    A roof of living plants keeps the house cool, soaks up rain and feeds insects.

    Which roofs near you could be green?

    Read the full page about the green-roof cottage · Find it on the map

  4. Stop 4

    Pollinator meadow

    Meadows feed bees, butterflies and other pollinators, which help grow much of our food.

    Could your school grow a small meadow?

    Read the full page about the pollinator meadow · Find it on the map

  5. Stop 5

    Great tree hall

    Some real bridges are grown from living tree roots, guided by people over many years.

    What would you grow if you could wait 50 years?

    Read the full page about the great tree hall · Find it on the map

  6. Stop 6

    Flower cart

    We carry goods by pony and cart. In real forests, horses still haul logs where machines would harm the soil.

    When is slow transport the better choice?

    Read the full page about the flower cart · Find it on the map

  7. Stop 7

    Harvest market hall

    Nothing is wasted: food scraps become compost that feeds next year's gardens.

    What happens to food waste at your home or school?

    Read the full page about the harvest market hall · Find it on the map

  8. Stop 8

    Council terrace

    Everyone shares the forest, so everyone helps make the rules. Real communities manage shared land this way.

    How should a group decide how to share something everyone needs?

    Read the full page about the council terrace · Find it on the map

Think it over

  1. Which real idea from this tour could work in your town?
  2. Which idea sounds good but might be hard to do? Why?
  3. Design one imagined elven building based on a real natural process.

For a full lesson, see Biomimicry examples for students.

Explore the whole Elven Green World city

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