Coming of Age in the Biosphere
2026 | Dr. Mark Nelson reflects on humanity’s deep connection to Earth’s living systems, calling for an awakening to our responsibilities as conscious participants in the biosphere and the urgent need to protect and regenerate our planet.
The Walls Came Tumbling Down
In 2019 Dr. Mark Nelson wrote the extraordinary story of Soviet-American scientific cooperation behind Biosphere 2, revealing how Cold War barriers were overcome to advance ecological research, space exploration, and a shared vision for humanity’s future.
Growing Giants: Hybrid Mahogany in Puerto Rico
Sustainable Forestry in 2026 & the Legacy of Las Casas de la Selva in the mountains of southeastern Puerto Rico.
A New Laboratory; Studying Biospheres.
One of the landmark projects the Institute of Ecotechnics helped birth was Biosphere 2.
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future: A New Generation of Plant People
At Las Casas de la Selva in Puerto Rico, the Institute of Ecotechnics continues to show how sustainable forestry depends on science, education and hands-on experience.
Seapeople Heritage & Climate Emergency
Legendary Sailing Ship Heraclitus spotlights Coastal Communities in Wake of Rising Sea level.
Research Vessel Heraclitus progress
After a number of years of rebuilding the ship in its cocoon in Rosés, Spain, the Heraclitus has at last a new hull!
Comparative Biospherics; Dream & Drama of Space
A whole new field was opening in the 1980s when Biosphere 2 was conceived: comparative planetology.
New Study Highlights the Path Forward for Sustainable Forestry
A new study on Puerto Rico’s forestry sector.
Ecological Wastewater Treatment System in Mesopotamian Marshes of Southern Iraq
Receives Funding from the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources and First Phase Nears Completion
2023 First Phase of Eden in Iraq Wastewater Garden Project Construction Begins!
With the support of the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources.
Wastewater Garden to be built in Southern Iraq
We reached a significant milestone in our ten year effort.
In the Magic Realm of the Iraqi Marshes
Can the biblical story be reversed? Can we recreate the garden, allow nature to heal itself and by healing nourish its human inhabitants?
2005 – The Technosphere: Revolution, Involution and Evolutions
See the Conference Program.
Eden in Iraq Honored by UNESCO Global Citizens
Featured as one of their top 100 projects across the globe.
Birdwood Downs Changes Ownership | Expands R&D in Improved Pastures
Jack Burton acquires Birdwood Downs Station.
Celebrating Our Living Elders: John Allen, Pioneer in Biosphere Science.
Shares His Vision and Dream for Planet Earth.
‘Biosphere 2: Lessons & Relevance to Global Ecological Challenges’
With Dr. Mark Nelson & Sir Ghillean Prance
Exhibit in Santa Fe, NM, “Eden Turned on its Side”.
Meridel Rubenstein examines the forces moving us towards and away from ‘Eden’.
Community Organic Market and Educational Centre in Nepal
The Institute of Ecotechnics is proud to serve as the fiscal sponsor of the Saathi Bio Farm Project
Research Vessel Heraclitus: World Ocean
HERACLITUS, the Institute of Ecotechnics research ship, has sailed the seas for over forty years on various exploratory expeditions.
Ecotechnics Award Winning Sustainable Forestry Project.
Sustains devastating damage in Hurricane Maria
“The Evolution of Food Crops in the Mediterranean”.
Michel Chauvet introduces some very basic truths are almost completely lost to urban, technocentric modern people.
From Science to Art and Back: Problems in Translation?
Who could be a better guide than Roger Malina as he explores this?
Conference Summary
We were enriched by a wide variety of perspectives on the Mediterranean. These are the notes the Chairman passed me late last night from the wild ride.
2011 British documentary about the creation of Biosphere 2
1991 Documentary Film “Will Apples Grow on Mars?’
John Allen, The New Bioeconomics Colloquium
Allen’s incomparable experience and pivotal role in developing the science of biospherics.
Mark Nelson on “Life Under Glass”
Mark Nelson, one of the eight biospherians who lived in Biosphere 2 for two years, talks about his experience and the lessons he learned while living inside Biosphere 2.
Biosphere 2 an Apparatus for New Science by Bill Dempster
UNM Civil Engineering Seminar by Bill Dempster. March 27, 2013
October Gallery’s El Anatsui Featured in New York Times
Artist El Anatsui on the cover of the arts section.
Podcasts from Institute of Ecotechnics 2011 Mediterranean Conference
The first in a series of podcasts of talks.
The Biospheric Academy
Introducing The Biospheric Academy The Academia Biospherica is an International Alliance between the Institute of Ecotechnics, UK/US, Fundación de Actividades Biosféricas, Argentina; Fundaçao Matutu, Brazil; and Institute of Holistic Research, Spain.
Tropic Ventures Sustainable Forestry Project in Puerto Rico
Tropic Ventures Education & Research Foundation.
Main Results from Biosphere 2 presented by Allen, Dempster & Nelson
Video of the presentation given by Global Ecotechnics directors at the Santa Fe Institute Colloquium on Thursday, July 15, 2010
2011 Mediterranean Conference Summary
Closing Remarks by Mark Nelson, Chairman, Institute of Ecotechnics.
Consciousness and the Biosphere: Frontiers of the Future Colloquium Summary
Colloquium held at the October Gallery, London, on 14 May 2011
The Mediterranean Conference: Oct 7 – Oct 10, 2011
Since 1974, the Institute has organised annual international conferences to bring together creative thinkers on topics of basic and cutting‐edge interest to scientists, artists, and project initiators. Our new