Forest Boundaries

As an artist-educator-researcher working in transdisciplinary environmental and climate change education projects, I perceive forests as sentient, interspecies learning communities encompassing vegetal, animal, fungal, and mineral elements. My artistic engagement with forests has transformed over time. Initially focused on depicting forests, both imaginary and real, I've shifted towards finding ways to be in and with forests and other natural environments. This approach involves noninvasive methods such as capturing shadows or tracing around objects (picture 1) or engaging with plants and the environment without physical contact (picture 2). These practices yield profound learnings from bserving the shapes formed by decomposing trees or noticing how water droplets gather on flax leaves, creating natural drink resources for birds and insects. My belief is that interest or experience, particularly within an environment, catalyzes learning, which in turn cultivates further interests and attunement to new learnings. A deep appreciation for forests and learning has sparked my interest in the crucial
symbiotic role of fungi in forest ecosystems. Recognizing the limits of my observational knowledge as an artist, I've been driven to expand my scientific understanding. This journey underscores both the disciplinary and transdisciplinary
aspects of knowledge acquisition.

I envisage there will be rich opportunities to learn more from engaging in this Critical Forest Studies Collaboratory. Another area of interest is that which literally sits on the fringes of forests: Forest Boundaries. In our increasingly urbanized world, forests often exist within defined boundaries, interfacing with farmlands or suburban areas. These demarcations highlight forests as places of urban and regional regeneration, repair, and reimagining. Within these designated zones of forest wilderness, we can experience diverse and various forest types. Dividing my time between two family home/studio locations in Geelong and the Southern Grampians, I regularly experience: mana gum forests near the Southern Ocean, the forests within the You Yangs National Park, the temperate rainforests of the Otway Ranges and forests within the Grampians. Each visit, whether for wellbeing, artistic inspiration, or hiking, offers unique insights into the temperature, biodiversity, management style, and aesthetic of each forest ecosystem. It also highlights the boundaries of these forest places. The different reasons for being in and with forests underscores our human relationships with forests; the varied reasons we engage with forests and thedifferent learning opportunities they present.

The rise in forest therapy is a related area where, due to the lack of forests we have to designate and show people how to
be in and with forests for wellbeing.

In conclusion, forests are not merely collections of trees but complex, living systems that offer rich opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, artistic expression, and
personal growth. As we continue to explore and understand these vital ecosystems, we deepen our connection to the natural world and our role within it so I look forward
to being involved with the collaboratory to engage in this work.