Vassar Learning Forest
One Nature’s work centers on an artistic process that fosters deeper connections between people and the living landscapes around them. At the Vassar Learning Forest, we were invited to contribute a site-specific installation that reflects our values of ecological care, material honesty, and environmental awareness. This immersive, plant-centered space was shaped with visitors of all ages in mind, aiming to inspire both quiet observation and long-term stewardship of the land.
The site itself carries a layered history. For many years, it served as a storage area for salvaged stone from Vassar College. Over time, these stones compacted into the ground, subtly altering the site’s hydrology and giving rise to a perched wetland. Rather than clearing or reworking the area, our studio focused on working with these existing conditions. We saw an opportunity to nurture the emergent wetland ecosystem, encouraging a diverse range of native plants and animals to continue thriving.
Guided by a commitment to low-impact methods, we introduced a gently trickling stream and a small waterfall—not as engineered features, but as crafted elements that harmonize with the site’s natural systems. These subtle water flows help create microtopographic variation, supporting greater biodiversity while adding texture and movement to the landscape. Small shifts in elevation and water pathways create spaces for native species, from wetland plants to amphibians and aquatic insects.
To allow visitors to engage with the space without disturbing sensitive soils and vegetation, we introduced two lengths of plankway that cross the stream. These pathways offer access while respecting the habitat’s integrity. At both the entrance and exit of the ovate-shaped installation, we shaped slightly raised terraces using local boulders—working with found materials to reflect the site’s history and minimize ecological disruption.
Throughout this process, our focus remained on finding a balance between human presence and ecological care. Gentle grade changes across the landscape set against the clean lines of the plankways create moments of contrast and quiet interest. Pools of water and terraced ground establish shifting focal points that change with the seasons and weather. Together, these elements invite visitors to slow their pace, observe closely, and experience a quiet dialogue between plant life and human-made structure.
This installation reflects One Nature’s broader vision: participating in the care and renewal of landscapes by working with what already exists. Through site-sensitive craftsmanship, habitat support, and the thoughtful use of local materials, we helped transform a once-utilitarian storage area into a living, educational environment. It stands as an example of how thoughtful human intervention can coexist gracefully with natural systems—inviting reflection on the shared future of people and the living world around them.