On September 26th, a group of 24 gathered at The Uplands Center for a five-day retreat grounded in nature, community, and regenerative thinking. Hosted by the ROHA (Ray of Hope Accelerator) team, the retreat marked the return of Biomimicry, an organization dedicated to aligning innovation with nature’s intelligence. Among the group were 21 engineers and scientists from around the world, all participating in Biomimicry’s new accelerator program—emerging leaders exploring how their work can reflect ecological principles and systems thinking.
The retreat opened on Friday with a gentle arrival into the breathtaking autumn landscape of the Catskills. After settling in, participants eased into the experience with a nourishing lunch of garden-fresh soup, lentil and cucumber salad, local cheese spread, and elderflower cordial. Guided introductions followed, setting the tone for deep connection and curiosity throughout their stay. The afternoon included a Seven Directions grounding ceremony and a walk across the property, where participants oriented themselves to the space and heard the story of the land. Fireside conversations under the stars began to weave personal reflection with collective purpose, sparking the energy that would carry through the retreat.
Saturday invited the group to deepen their awareness—of self, each other, and the more-than-human world. A combination of movement, forest bathing, nature illustration and journaling with guest naturalist Chris Montero, along with team-building sessions, created space to explore somatic learning and systems awareness. In the afternoon, Uplands staff led a regenerative garden tour and cooking activity. This garden-to-table experience offered hands-on insight into cultivation, reciprocity, and ecological interdependence. The poke bowl buffet creation was a delicious success. The day closed with a joyful round of charades, reminding everyone that there is room for both play and purpose.
As the weekend unfolded, the focus shifted toward expression and integration. Sunday’s programming included early morning birdwatching, one-on-one connection sessions, a land history hike with a picnic lunch, and a “show & tell” session where accelerator participants shared their prototypes, research, and ideas. Through this open exchange, it became clear how deeply nature-inspired innovation could shape real-world solutions. That evening, an impact mapping workshop helped tie personal vision to ecological outcomes. After a luscious dinner of acorn squash soup, West African chicken in peanut sauce, macadamia corn salad, and chocolate mousse dessert, the group ventured into the dark for a night walk—an apt metaphor for navigating the unknown with nature as their guide.
Monday, the final full day, centered on reflection and intention-setting. From morning yoga to a World Café discussion, and finally a letter-writing practice, participants synthesized what they were taking with them—both inwardly and in service to the world. A final wild plant walk, group photos, and a celebratory apéro marked the end of the shared journey. As the group boarded the bus back to the city on Tuesday, they carried more than new knowledge—they returned with grounded clarity, a stronger sense of interconnection, and renewed inspiration to lead with nature at the heart of their work.
