Microsoft turns to 'biomimicry' to soften data center impact
Microsoft says its data centers will use 'biomimicry' — gardens, native trees and ecosystem restoration — to blend into the landscape and ease community concerns.
Microsoft announced plans to use "biomimicry" at its data centers, aiming to make the facilities blend into natural landscapes and reduce their impact on local communities. The approach includes more gardens and native trees on-site, along with investment in ecosystem restoration projects.
Microsoft spokesperson Jennifer Lyons said the company is investing in enhancement projects, including more than 400 acres of woodland and pollinator prairie restoration in San Antonio.
The announcement comes as the company expands its data center footprint in the Greater San Antonio area, where it has operated for almost a decade and is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build several more facilities.
In 2022, Microsoft cut down more than 2,600 trees across a 33-acre expanse to build a data center in San Antonio, upsetting residents. City Councilmember Ric Galvan recalled that when data centers first arrived in San Antonio in the 2000s, they looked like relatively unassuming office buildings.
The Verge reported the company's plans, which frame biomimicry as a way to address community concerns as data center construction continues.
Quick answers
What is Microsoft's biomimicry plan for data centers?
Microsoft said the approach includes more gardens and native trees on-site and investing in ecosystem restoration projects to help its data centers blend into natural landscapes and reduce impacts on local communities.
What is Microsoft investing in in San Antonio?
Microsoft spokesperson Jennifer Lyons said the company is investing in enhancement projects including over 400 acres of woodland and pollinator prairie restoration in San Antonio.
Why are Microsoft's data centers facing community concerns in San Antonio?
In 2022, Microsoft cut down more than 2,600 trees across a 33-acre expanse to build a data center in San Antonio, upsetting residents.