The document summarizes the kick-off event for Make a Forest, which aims to raise awareness of sustainable forest management. Several speakers presented on topics like the current state of forests globally, forest management practices, forests in the Netherlands, a game being developed about growing virtual trees, a magazine focused on wood and trees, and architectural projects related to urban sustainability. A wooden train track art installation made from a single beech tree was also unveiled, seeking to demonstrate sustainable use of natural resources.

2. Make a Forest Kick-off April 23 2011 An impression

3. Make a Forest The launch of Make a Forest was organized at the beginning of spring on March 23 2011. Taking place in the Schieblock in Rotterdam, the theme was highlighted from the scientific, visual arts, design and architectural perspective.

4. Cultural entrepreneurs Anne van der Zwaag and Joanna van der Zanden launched the project ‘Make a Forest’. This initiative aims to raise awareness on environmentally sustainable forest management by creating a link between nature and culture.

6. Imagine a cultural forest as diverse as a real forest, what will it look like? Cultural organizations and educational institutions around the world are invited alongside local artists, architects and designers to help create this virtual forest. It will take shape in 2011, the year declared by the United Nations as the Year of Forests. The platform makeaforest.org will become the meeting place of all activities. This is where the development of the unique forest can be followed, from Nairobi to Seoul, Amsterdam to Santa Cruz de la Sierra and all other partaking cities.

8. Speaker 1: Wageningen University Prof. Frits Mohren is the Professor of Forest Ecology and Forest Management at Wageningen University. For Make a Forest he gave a highly informative presentation on forests, the state of forests around the world today, forest management and the need for preservation.

13. 10 Joanna van der Zanden and Frits Mohren during the Make a Forest kick-off

14. Speaker 2: Natuurmonumenten Roel Posthoorn from Natuurmonumenten in The Netherlands gave an introduction to forests in The Netherlands today. Natuurmonumenten aims to protect much of The Netherlands’ natural landscape, including large parts of forest.

15. Enjoying our forests Drs. ing. R. Posthoorn Natuurmonumenten

18. Speaker 2: Monobanda / Bohm Niki Smit is a game designer from the game company Monobanda. He sat down for an interview on a game they are developing, called Bohm, which allows the player to participate and enjoy in the slow growth of a virtual tree.

19. Bohm Game 25

22. Speaker 4: Stang Gubbels / Boomstang Stang Gubbels is an illustrator and graphic designer who released a magazine called Boomstang on wood, trees and forests. He was kind enough to sit down for an interview about the inspiration behind his magazine and the production process.

25. Joanna van der Zanden interviews Stang Gubbels about the magazine Boomstang

26. Speaker 5: DSA Duzan Doepel of Doepel Strijkers Architects is an architect interested in sustainability. His presentation gave an insight into various projects and ideas that his architectural agency developed on urban sustainability.

37. Speaker 6: Christien Meindertsma / Tree Track Christien Meindertsma revealed her art work called Tree Track at the end of the opening. Tree Track is a wooden train track that is made of a complete beech tree from the Flevopolder in The Netherlands. The project of Christien Meindertsma seeks to communicate the message that there are ample opportunities for producing natural resources in a sustainable and professional manner for our own use.