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Near a data center in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, more than 230 acres of land have been protected from development. The area includes eight acres of newly created wetlands that provide a habitat for frogs, fish, and insects, along with over three miles of walking trails and restored streams that flow into nearby lakes.
“This is a great benefit for our community,” says Alex Gottschalk, the county administrator. “Our lakes and waterways are among our biggest attractions. Both local residents and tourists enjoy spending time there.”
Microsoft began using nature-inspired methods to restore and improve natural ecosystems at a data center in the Netherlands in 2022. Since then, the company has expanded this approach to more than 20 data center sites across the United States and Germany. Microsoft also plans to incorporate these methods into all new projects in the U.S. and an increasing number of projects worldwide.
This approach, known as biomimicry, uses ideas from nature to develop more effective and sustainable solutions. It can be applied to everything from data center cooling systems to the design of surrounding landscapes. Microsoft combines community feedback, environmental research, and local knowledge to understand how natural ecosystems function. Based on these findings, the company develops land management, water conservation, and restoration plans that work in harmony with nature.
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