Presentation short abstract

Creative methods enhance understanding of forest restoration processes and outcomes and are a tool for the iterative planning and design of future adaptive strategies. The research assesses design-based tools and workflows, and reports on their application in a case study in Connecticut, USA.

Presentation long abstract

As futures thinking seeks to navigate uncertainty, methods that enable the visualization of social, ecological, and technical systems provide a means to create shared spaces for debate, integrate diverse perspectives and to explore alternatives to the status quo. While creative methods are commonly employed in design disciplines and participatory planning, their application and effectiveness in forest restoration contexts remain less understood. For example, how might visualization strategies provide deeper insight into different stages and scales of restoration, help navigate social-ecological complexities, account for layered management histories, and acknowledge the agency of non-human nature?

This presentation outlines the use of creative methods applied to research on forest restoration on private forest lands in Connecticut, USA. Within this context, the research examines the application of visualization tools used in landscape design applied to inventory, analysis, and speculative visioning, to assess their relevance for forest restoration planning. The study asks: How can creative methods help navigate a plurality of values and aspirations for forest restoration across different spatial and temporal scales in this region?

The case study uses mapping, photography, film, and drawing to explore how state policy goals, landowner values, local and scientific knowledge, and the agency of non-human nature intersect in shaping these landscapes. The research outcomes provide insight into how creative tools enable critical reflection on the processes, outcomes, and possible futures of forest restoration. I present examples of how visualization tools can be combined and how these mediums can make human–environment relationships visible.