Nadina Galle is an ecological engineer redefining how cities understand and integrate nature.
She is best known for developing the Internet of Nature — a framework that uses sensors, satellite data, and AI to measure urban ecosystems. The idea behind it is simple: cities cannot manage what they do not track. When nature is visible in data, it is easier to protect, invest in, and design around.
Galle’s interest in this work started early. She grew up in suburban Canada, where new developments replaced natural landscapes but kept their names such as “Forest Glen” or “Willow Creek.” The ecosystems were gone, but the names remained. That disconnect led her to study ecology and cities, and ask ‘who decides what gets built, and what gets lost’?
Nadina Galle studied Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto and the National University of Singapore. She later completed a Master’s in Earth Sciences at the University of Amsterdam. While working in sustainability consulting in Amsterdam, she saw that nature was often missing from “smart city” discussions. She went on to pursue a PhD in Ecological Engineering at University College Dublin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It was there that she developed the Internet of Nature.
Her work focuses on practical applications, including:
- – Trees fitted with sensors to track heat, water stress, and growth
- – Satellite and drone imagery to monitor urban deforestation
- – Machine learning tools that identify risks such as flooding or wildfire
- – Nature-based infrastructure, including flood gardens and adaptive wetlands
In 2024, Galle published The Nature of Our Cities. The book explores how cities are working to bring nature back into urban life, across North America, Europe, and Asia. It became a #1 Amazon bestseller, won multiple awards, and has been translated into several languages.
Outside of writing, Galle works directly with organisations shaping cities. She advises investment firms on measuring biodiversity across real estate portfolios and has contributed to long-term planning for major urban parks, including Chapultepec in Mexico City. Her ongoing research explores how access to nature affects human health.
Nadina Galle is the host of the Internet of Nature Podcast. There, she speaks with researchers, city officials, and practitioners working on these challenges. The show has reached tens of thousands of listeners across multiple seasons.
