Forests Atlas: A Field Guide to the Forests of South West Australia

The Forests Atlas aims to create greater visibility and accessibility to a wide range of environmental data traditionally hidden or presented as unengaging to wider audiences. Environmental communication is often guided by stakeholders with biases or agendas which cloud clear and sincere communications. In bringing the forests of south west Australia to the fore, it seeks to foster connection, care and change in the conservation space. The publication also tackles environmental communication’s other major complexity – distilling large geographies, systems and issues in approachable ways. It looks to balance celebrating the forests while facing up to the challenges and threats.

To drive visibility, accessibility and engagement around the forests of south west Australia the book brought together multiple contributors – First Nations Noongar voices, data and environmental scientists, a watercolour artist, photographers and graphic designers - developing a process facilitating seamless collaboration across disciplines and communication strategy and design framework to bring the collective viewpoints together in a cohesive manner. Like the forests themselves, interdependent and intersecting elements blend, crafting an evocative and informative guide. In creating multiple ways of seeing, stories could be told through multiple lenses, allowing for engagement in different ways, engaging a diverse audience and inviting further exploration.

The publication has had a substantial impact throughout the south west and Australia with broad distribution and multiple reprints. It has brought government data into the public commons, building upon the landmark conservation planning project ‘Beyond 2024’ (Daniel Jan Martin, 2022). The communication and further development of this information in the Forests Atlas has driven broader engagement and understanding around the connectedness and beauty of the forests. Its varied yet cohesive style of communication has proven itself as a great tool for conservation and education, aiding in campaigns and increasing community awareness and connection in a time of environmental change.

The Forests Atlas was a widely collaborative project, not commissioned by any one entity, but held in common and published independently. This enabled it to be responsive to many messages, ways of seeing, and to hold many voices together. The Forests Atlas was not subject to any single message from government, a corporation, or dominant community group – affording freedom and diversity that is rare but critical for meaningful environmental communication. The Forests Atlas was edited by Daniel Jan Martin with Noongar Elder Dr Noel Nannup OAM, with artworks by Alice Ford, photography by Nansen Robb, Clancy Martin and Mariela Espino Zuppa; the publication was produced in collaboration with And/And Studio and WA Forest Alliance.