This marked a turning point in Benyus' career and the field of sustainable design. The book formally introduced biomimicry – the practice of learning from and mimicking nature's forms, processes, and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs – to a broader audience. It laid the groundwork for the Biomimicry Institute.

With Dayna Baumeister, Benyus co-founded the Biomimicry Guild (later merged into the Biomimicry Institute), a network of professionals dedicated to applying biomimicry principles. This Guild facilitated knowledge sharing and collaborative projects across various disciplines.

Benyus and Dayna Baumeister established the Biomimicry Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the practice of biomimicry globally. The Institute serves as a central hub for research, education, and application of biomimicry principles across diverse industries.

The Biomimicry Institute launched AskNature.org, a comprehensive online database cataloging biological strategies and their potential applications. This platform allows designers, engineers, and innovators to access nature's solutions for a wide range of challenges, making biomimicry principles more accessible and practical.

Benyus continues to be a sought-after speaker and consultant, delivering presentations and workshops around the world to educate and inspire individuals and organizations to adopt biomimicry in their respective fields. Her presentations cover diverse topics, from sustainable design to ecological innovation, and highlight the transformative potential of biomimicry.