Artist and SFS alumna Cornelia Carpenter Kenya Fall ‘09 is mapping the land -- and spirit -- of the Australian rainforest.

Cornelia travelled to North Queensland this summer on a grant from the Wet Tropics Management Authority to view and study the region. She took copious notes and made key sketches, and now, she will bring together the history, landscape, and unique flora and fauna in a series of illustrated maps to be featured in a special documentary DVD, “Restoring Community; Community Restoration across the Wet Tropics.”

Her first week In Australia was spent at Warrawee, the aboriginal name for The SFS Center for Rainforest Studies, which means “you are welcome here.” The SFS field station’s remote location on the outskirts of Yungaburra gave Cornelia the opportunity to hike and get acquainted with the region’s indigenous and unusual plants and animals. She then journeyed north to the Daintree Rainforest, home to ancient ferns and the southern cassowary, before heading back down the coast to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

“Seeing the Great Barrier Reef was the most breathtaking experience I have ever had, but I think I learned more from planting trees with a local land care group in Yungaburra. Due to the division of rainforest areas, animal species are left on isolated islands, which is detrimental to their existence. One day I was able to go out and help plant trees to create a wildlife corridor for the lumholtz tree kangaroo. It was a very productive morning; I met a lot of locals, worked hard, and left with a better understanding of the efforts we have to make in order to preserve key species such as the tree kangaroo.”

Cornelia developed a love of maps at a young age. “I grew up learning how to read topographical maps and would spend hours looking at the atlas,” she said. Her fascination led her to a decision to pursue a degree in geography and studio art at the University of Denver. She was first inspired to make an illustrated map when she travelled to Nicaragua for a geography course, and she made a second one after she returned home from SFS in Kenya.

“I started thinking about a map of SFS Kenya when I was studying abroad and I was desperately looking for an attractive map of Kenya to frame and put in my room when I got home, but I couldn't find one anywhere!” She created her own, complete with physical characteristics like towns and rivers, and memories of wildlife sightings. “I like how illustrated maps can show funny little quirks about the place, such as the choos, or toilets, in Kenya,” she added.

“When I make a map, I first try to do as much background research as possible,” said Carpenter. “I love the quality that illustrated maps have to show historical and present features that define that particular area. For example, I visited Cape Tribulation where Captain Cook had a crash landing on the Great Barrier Reef in 1770 -- just knowing this piece of history makes the area have a certain charm, which I try to convey in the maps themselves. I also like to study the animals, plants, and cultural symbols that will be featured on the map; the goal is to capture as much of the aura as I can. The second step is determining the size and scale of the map -- what locations are important and which aren't. Next, I gather geographical data, size it to fit the sheet of paper I plan to use, then trace the boundaries on a light table. I will sketch in the illustrations once I have decided on size, scale and area of the map. The final drawings are done in a waterproof India Ink and finally I fill everything in with watercolor.”

These maps are part of a documentary DVD that will premiere at the National Landcare Conference in September 2011. The project, led by SFS Australia Center Director Moni Carlisle and produced by filmmaker Sarah Scragg, was a collaboration between the Wet Tropics Management Authority and the local non-profits Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands and Terrain Natural Resource Management. The Wet Tropics Management Authority is the organization responsible for managing the UNESCO designated Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Cornelia is also working on creating custom maps of other SFS Centers and countries that could be available for purchase in the SFS Store. Like the Australia map, they would highlight each region’s characteristic flora, fauna, cultural aspects, and landscapes.

“I see this project as an opportunity to make functional art that means something to hundreds of other SFS alumni, not just me.”