A Walk in the Woods

California Forest Product Commission

This entertaining, informative traveling exhibit was designed to be installed in the major shopping malls of California. It brings the forest to the people so they can assess the health of California’s private forests.

Four freestanding “groves of trees” each tell a story using a mix of interactive graphics, original photographs, interactive models and objects.

The Theater Grove features a large-scale contour map of the state showing the location of productive private forestland. It is backed by an entertaining five-minute video production. Graphics describe the properties and uses of wood.

Forest Ecology addresses the birds, animals, and fish that make the forest their home. An interactive drum lets the visitor dial up a creature and find out how they use the various stages of a managed forest. A tree trunk with a door exposes its structure.

Forest Stewardship features a seedling display, an insect magnifier and a game that challenges the visitor to replant a harvested forest. Natural disturbance and historic abuse of the forests is addressed in graphic panels.

Forest Management features a visitor-activated animated model that demonstrates sustained yield. Life-sized photos of professional foresters explain their jobs. A game guessing what trees you can harvest demonstrates the regulations of California forestry.

Designed in collaboration with MGB Design