New report on the role of artists in woodland creation

A recently published report explores how artists can contribute to the design and ongoing life of new woodlands and the added value they provide when doing so. With national and international targets for afforestation having a significant impact on landscapes and environments, associated cultural production adds meaning and value, enabling connection with people and communities.

Woodland creation and cultural production: practice and policy recommendations for the creation and governance of living forest artworks, produced from the NewLeaves Network and funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, has been written to support funders, forest and land managers and communities, and artists, in developing new living forest artworks. 

These recommendations align with EFI's recent work to engage wider audiences around science and climate related themes through cultural interaction. The Wildcard Rewilding through Art initiative, which gathered more than 80 submissions from artists, researchers, and citizens across 19 countries for a physical forest installation, is now an online exhibition of the 12 standout works,  making these reflections accessible to a broader audience. 

Going forward, EFI has more projects in the pipeline which integrate artistic practice and local perspectives into scientific work and research on forest-related issues. 

More information: Culture for Climate Scotland’s Case Study on the NewLeaves Network, where the documents are freely available for download.