Western Australia's Genestreaming Sculptures

Public Art as Educational Tools for Conservation, Science & Culture This initiative blends public art & augmented reality, bringing communities together with contributions from First Nations artists, Field Naturalist artists, Schools, Conservationists, Elders & Scientists. Immersing visitors in an experience that supports education, conservation and eco-tourism.

The National Genestreaming Sculptures Trail thus far

This project has come into being through the efforts of many people over many years. Foundational research began in the 1980's. It was conceived in Albany in 2017, the sculpture was designed at the Australian National University in 2020 and was launched in the Porongurups in 2021. Further sculptures both physical and AR were established in the Bunya Mountains, Singapore Gardens by the Bay and Alice Springs. In 2025, a tourism trail of Genestreaming Sculptures was installed across the South West of WA. We are creating a nationwide public art tourism trail of physical Genestreaming Sculptures across Australia.  As a community resource the sculptures are designed to be educational tools about the region.  The 3 pillars of our program are: Conservation - Promoting education & awareness of regional biodiversity Culture - Promoting First Nations artists from the region & their culture Science - Exploring ecology, geology and deep time shared ancestry

Using Visual Literacy to engage with Conservation, Culture & Scientific concepts

Genestreaming sculptures promote the artwork of First Nations artists of the region on the outside of the sculpture and field naturalist art in the form of a giant map of the region on the inside of the sculpture.  Externally, the viewer is taken on a cultural journey through the artworks of a range of participating First Nations artists. Internally each of the sculptures 15 petals represents a different species or group of animals, plants or fungi which connects to an ancestral line on the base plate. When the viewer enters the sculpture they represent all of humanity & may explore artistic themes including local ecosystems, the geological origins of landscape, endangered species and the shared ancestry of species through deep time. 

Genestreaming Augmented Reality Sculptures for Schools

The physical sculptures link to an Augmented Reality Genestreaming sculpture that features the nature journaling art from contributing schools along side animated paleo creatures which inhabit the era they lived in millions of years ago…. including Dinosaurs! Through a combination of nature journaling resources with cutting edge augmented reality technology this is an educational & environmental initiative shaped by young people’s nature journaling about their region -- capturing how children see, feel, learn and connect with the natural world around them. Schools may choose their own nature journaling themes for their posters. We encourage themes that connect with First Nations artists and inspire students to explore their surroundings such as “What is in our backyard”.

Patrons & Communities Receive

Patrons Receive - Acknowledgement and thanks on the sculptures signage, website and documentary. Access to the Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit with 100+ nature journaling activities, drawing lessons, outdoor projects, and printable resources for flexible classroom or home learning. Communities Receive - A complete Genestreaming Sculpture. QR Code Access at the sculpture to the Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture for schools. An accompanying webpage about the project with excerpts from the documentary that will be created about the project.

Genestreaming Sculpture  & Documentary Funding

There are 15 petals in a sculpture. To fund future sculptures and the associated documentaries in participating regions we offer the Adopt‑a‑Petal program. Petals are adopted for $12,000 each including GST. To assist groups in fundraising efforts we have a broad range of merchandise that, via a printed QR code link to the Genestreaming Augmented Reality Sculptures. The merchandise can also feature the groups logo.  Funding supports:  - First Nations art - Field Naturalist art - materials & sculpture fabrication - galvanizing  - printing - signage design - webpage development - Augmented Reality Sculpture  - field naturalist studies - phylogenetic tree research - baseplate design & laser cutting - project documentation  - founders team consultation - project management - auspicing body - sculpture delivery - sculpture and signage installation oversite - a documentary - filming & editing - travel & accommodation 

Creating the Art for Adopted Petals

When a petal is adopted the First Nations art and Field Naturalist art for the petal will be created. We will then add images of the art to a digital mural as seen above. The digital mural will grow as more petals are adopted. The progress will be featured on a webpage that we will create for the project. When the digital mural is completed a print will be gifted to the local visitors center or community resource center. The sculpture will be fabricated and an installation time will be arranged. We will develop a short documentary for the project that, in time will become part of a larger documentary.

Nature Journaling for all Ages

All patrons receive access to Explore Nature Journaling with activities designed for everyone — from young learners to adults. Encouraging lifelong learning this flexible program nurtures curiosity, creativity, and outdoor discovery. Learn the art of nature journaling, create new memories whilst exploring deep time.

Genestreaming Sculpture

Each Genestreaming Sculpture is designed as a unique ecological, cultural & deep-time signature of the specific region — shaped by the local First Nations artists, endemic species, geological history, phylogenetics, environmental character and mapping of that place documented through nature journaling.

Creating a Documentary

A short documentary will be made about the artistic, cultural and scientific inspiration behind Genestreaming Sculpture as well as the opening of the Genestreaming Sculpture. This footage will, in time be included in a documentary about the sculpture trail. 

Future Focused Education

Our 'Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit for Schools' is the program that assists schools in making a nature journaling contribution to their Augmented Reality Genestreaming sculpture which is connected to the physical sculptures. We’ve worked closely with school teachers on a range of STEAM projects and have run many adult work shops over many years. Through these experiences we have created the 'Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit which is Multimodal and accommodates all age groups. It combines science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics with a national sculpture trail designed to promote an awareness of conservation, science and first nations culture with school input. Our program emphasizes the importance of nature journaling because, as a global educational movement, nature journaling is about contributing to future-focused education which explores: - environmental sustainability - community engagement - participation in a national artwork - students connecting with nature - real-world learning - creativity and expression When expressed through a community Genestreaming Sculpture nature journaling combined with field work: • Connects Science, Culture and Sustainability through Art • Strengthens creativity and visual literacy • Creates opportunities for community engagement • Encourages outdoor learning and careful observation • Supports environmental awareness and future-focused thinking • Builds community pride through participation in a national project

Genestreaming Sculptures  Established Thus Far

Through public art and new technology these established sculptures connect First Nations art, Field Naturalist art, science, conservation initiatives and a school nature journaling project displayed in Augmented Reality. The sculptures depict the shared ancestry of 15 local species with humans.  Each sculpture contributes to the National Genestreaming Sculpture Trail program. Footage from the projects associated documentary is available on this page.

Twin Creeks  Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Twin Creeks Conservation Reserve as an educational tool celebrates the region’s unique ecology by combining art, storytelling, and scientific interpretation to highlight local biodiversity, waterways, and cultural connections. The project encourages strong community involvement through Aboriginal artist and field naturalist artist participation, local collaboration, and accessible science and cultural communication that deepens understanding and care for the reserve’s ecological and cultural values.

Bunya Mountains  Genestreaming Sculpture

The Bunya Mountains Genestreaming Sculpture was developed in collaboration with the Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation and draws on knowledge shared through the Bonye Bair Bush University, helping connect visitors with the cultural, ecological, and historical significance of the Bunya Mountains. The sculpture highlights the region’s unique ecology, illustrating how ancient lineages of species have evolved and adapted within this biodiversity-rich landscape over millions of years. It also explores the volcanic history of the area, tracing its origins to hotspot-driven volcanic activity that shaped the mountains and influenced the ecosystems that thrive there today.

Singapore Gardens by the Bay Genestreaming Sculpture

The Singapore Gardens by the Bay Genestreaming Sculpture stands as a vibrant ambassador for Australia, sharing First Nations culture, conservation, and scientific storytelling with millions of international visitors in Singapore. As the first Genestreaming sculpture installed beyond Australian shores, it symbolizes the friendship between Australia and Singapore while showcasing Australia’s unique environmental and cultural heritage. In 2025, Australia's Governor General Sam Mostyn officially unveiled a plaque marking the sculpture’s permanent installation at Gardens by the Bay, celebrating its role as a lasting cultural connection between the two nations. The sculpture’s AR experience brings deep-time evolutionary stories to life, creating an engaging Australian cultural landmark in one of the world’s most visited garden destinations.

Alice Springs Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

Through the Activate Alice Public Spaces Beautification Program this is the first sculpture in the Northern Territory of the Genestreaming Sculptures National Tourism Trail. The Alice Springs Genestreaming Augmented Reality Sculpture is a joyful blend of art, science, and culture that transforms the stories of Central Australia into an immersive digital experience. Its vibrant collaboration between Aboriginal artists, field naturalist artists. conservationists, and research scientists creates a beautiful celebration of the region’s landscapes, wildlife & heritage.

Capel Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

The Capel Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture celebrates the unique regional ecology of Capel by combining innovative digital art with stories of local biodiversity, native species, cultural connections and environmental connections. The project also strengthens community engagement through active participation from a local school guided by a local First Nations artist, field naturalist artists, and residents, creating a shared sense of pride, learning, and stewardship for the region’s natural environment.

Northcliffe Genestreaming Sculpture

The Northcliffe Genestreaming Sculpture celebrates the rich ecology of Northcliffe by showcasing the region’s ancient forests, biodiversity, and environmental systems through innovative science-based public art. The project strengthens community connection through local participation, Aboriginal cultural and scientific contributions through art, and engaging  communication that helps residents and visitors better understand and value the landscape’s ecological and cultural significance.

Denmark Genestreaming Sculpture

The Denmark Genestreaming Sculpture highlights the rich regional ecology of Denmark by creatively interpreting its towering karri forests, diverse coastal ecosystems, and unique native wildlife through immersive public art. The project also fosters strong community connection through the involvement of First Nations & field naturalist artists, and residents, encouraging environmental awareness, creativity, and shared stewardship of the region’s natural heritage.

Kellerberrin Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

The Kellerberrin Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture celebrates the unique landscapes and ecological stories of Kellerberrin through immersive digital public art informed by Aboriginal guides, cultural knowledge, and collaborative Aboriginal artist participation. Supported by the science communication work of GeoParks WA, the project helps connect visitors and the local community with the region’s geology, biodiversity, and living cultural heritage in an engaging and educational way.

Bremer Bay Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Bremer Bay is inspired by the extraordinary biodiversity of the Fitzgerald Biosphere, creatively interpreting its rich ecosystems, endemic species, and coastal landscapes through immersive science-based public art internally and cultural based art externally. The project supports community connection through Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artist participation, local collaboration, science communication, and educational school visits that help young people learn about the region’s ecological and cultural significance.

Ravensthorpe Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Ravensthorpe is informed by field naturalist research into the remarkable plant diversity of the Ravensthorpe Range, translating scientific knowledge about its rare and endemic flora into engaging public art and ecological storytelling. The project brings together schools participation, community members, and Aboriginal participants through collaborative science and cultural communication with educational visits that inspire learning, cultural understanding, and appreciation for the region’s unique biodiversity.

Wave Rock Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

The Genestreaming Sculpture at Wave Rock is inspired by the immense geological history of the ancient Yilgarn Craton, using science-based public art to interpret one of the world’s oldest landscapes and its enduring ecological significance. Influenced by the surrounding beauty of the Wave Rock Wildflower Farm, Lake Magic and enriched through Aboriginal artist participation, the project strengthens science communication by connecting geology, biodiversity, culture, and community storytelling.

What teachers, science communicators &  community leaders are saying

This project is about connecting the next generation to the environment through nature journaling and new technology. Discover how teachers, families, and educators are bringing outdoor learning, observation skills, and creative exploration into everyday education.

”
“You should have seen the students, they just erupted! It just goes to show how interactive education is very important for our younger generation”.
Douglas Kichen.

Capel Shire President

"In the Genestreaming Augmented Reality Sculptures ..          a whole new world of discovery awaits you".
Gary Muir.

Wow Wilderness Eco-Projects

”
"I think that the involvement with the children now brings it down to another generation of people who understand the earth, who can walk on it, who can go into that sculpture look at a petal follow it down and follow the timeline through I'm amazed at how the children have connected very well with it, it will never leave them".
Cr. Sue Leighton

Ravensthorpe Councillor

”
My background is in teaching, and my passions are art and science. Taking the kids out into the Bush and learning about the flora and fauna, by having the kids drawing what they find or photographing it, looking at it in detail, helps embed that knowledge deeply. The Genestreaming sculpture is such a rich learning tool for children because it has so much embedded in it, it offers a lot, it's a very powerful tool for learning and its beautiful form.
Kier Douthie

Principal of Jerdacuttup Primary School (retired)

"This project is self-motivating fostering a growth mindset that inspires a curiosity lead investigation of the natural world".
Ben Price

Teacher, Tour Guide, Lecturer

Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit supporting Schools & Communities

17 Chapters · 119 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome to Explore Nature Journaling Resource Kit

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome to Explore Nature Journaling

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Poster Specifications & Key Dates you need to know

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The What, Who, Why, When, of Nature Journaling

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Different Approaches to Journaling with Mali & Ben

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Introducing the 2 Minute Tips for drawing, painting, photography and journaling

  2. 2

    Resource Kit 1: Nature Journaling Activities with Children

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of the Nature Journaling Activities with Children

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to Nature Journaling for kids with early childhood specialist Ros Beeton : 8min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Nature Activities 4-6yo for teachers and parents - with early childhood specialist Ros Beeton : 20min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Nature Activities 6-10yo for teachers and parents - with early childhood specialist Ros Beeton : 9min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Nature Activities 7-12yo for teachers and parents - with early childhood specialist Ros Beeton : 16min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Cartoon Memory Mapping our Adventure - Making a Map from Memories : 23min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring our Cartoon Memory Map : 3min

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Progressive Maps with 9 year old Pearl : 6min

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Beach Holiday Journalling with 9 year old Pearl : 14min

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Painting with Pearl after a nature walk : 12min

  3. 3

    Resource Kit 2: Easy, quick and fun. Sketching, colouring and painting techniques for Nature Journaling

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Easy Fun Journaling

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Art Materials List for Nature Journaling

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Fast & Easy 'tracing' tips with Acacias + Plant pressing in your Journal : 9min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Quick & Easy 'copy' drawing a Grevillea flower with colour notes : 8min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Fun Scribble Sketching with a Biro from a look-out point : 15min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring Feathers using Watercolour and Watercolour Pencils : 15min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Easily Practice Sketching Birds : 6min

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Sketching Quick & Loose shapes of Kangaroos and Wallabies : 18min

  4. 4

    Resource Kit 3: Expressive Drawing Tools and Techniques

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      A Drawing a Day : 5min

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      2-min Tip : Drawing a Tree using a collection of marks

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      2-min Tip: How to make a fascinating mark

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      2-min Tip : Drawing flowing lines

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      2-min Tip: If you make a mistake repeat it

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      2 Min Tip : Drawing a bracket of time with feeling

  5. 5

    Resource Kit 4: Fun Collaborative Drawing for Friends & Families

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Collaborative Drawing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Black Gloved Wallaby, Twin Creeks : 8min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Yellow Billy Buttons, Mount Magnet : 2min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Python Snake, Twin Creeks : 3min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Mouse Spider, Twin Creeks : 10min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Lemon Grass, Mount Magnet : 2min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Spinifex Hopping Mouse, Mount Magnet : 2min

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Western Bowerbird, Mount Magnet

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Draw Together Thorny Devil for the Mount Magnet Genestreaming Sculpture

  6. 6

    Resource Kit 5: Refine Your Drawings and Paintings

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Refining Your Drawings and Paintings

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to Botanical and Natural History Art Lessons : 2min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Botanical Art Materials List

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Measured Drawing : 20min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Measured Drawing Transfer : 6 min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Tonal Drawing : 20min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Perspective Drawing : 15min

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Botany for Artists : 18min

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Watercolour Painting. Wet Washes & Dry Brush : 15min

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson :: Watercolour Painting Part 2. Tips & Tricks.

  7. 7

    Resource Kit 6: Colour Recipes & Colour Mixing Theory

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Colour Recipes & Colour Mixing Theory

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Mali's Mixing Greens - Natural & Exquisite

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Celia Rosser's Banksia Green - Colour Mixing Formulae

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Colour Mixing Theory using only 6 colours : 24min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Colour Mixing Theory Guide

  8. 8

    Resource Kit 7: Innovative Fun with Photography on your Phone

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Innovative Fun with Photography on your Phone

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Tips for effectively cataloguing your photographs and short films : 4min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      'Insectoid Viewpoint' technique : 7min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Multiple Landscape Approach : 3min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Impressionistic Photography Technique : 6min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Arial Photography Possibilities : 10min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Overlaying Drawings on Photographs Approach : 2min

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Photography and Digital Art in Forests : 4min

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Create Reflections : 2min

  9. 9

    Resource Kit 8: How to Mind Map Connections in Nature

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of How to Mind Map Connections in Nature

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      An introduction to the SciArt Connectivity Web : 2min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Art of Natural Systems Connectivity Web SciArt Version

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Art of Natural Systems Connectivity Web template for students to develop

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Create a Connectivity Web on a Walk at Wave Rock Pt 1 : 18min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Create a Connectivity Web on a Walk at Wave Rock Pt 2 : 18min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Artist Residency (1) - Examining an Ancient Landscape at Broken Hill 01

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Artist Residency (2) - Impressions at Fowlers Gap

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Artist Residency (3) - Hill End Traces of Great Southern Rifting : 7min

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      How to create the foundations for your own Connectivity Web : 2min

  10. 10

    Resource Kit 9: Introduction to Botany

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of the Natural Sciences

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to the Natural Sciences for beginners

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Botany of Strawberries : 6min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Botany of Figs : 9min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Botany of Flowers : 27min

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Botany of Leaves : 16min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to Plant Classification : 20min

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to Reading a Plant Key : 10min

  11. 11

    Resource Kit 10: Flower Pressing, Collecting and Eco-Dyeing

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Flower Pressing

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Flower Journalling / Collecting with Prof. Hopper : 5min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Professional Plant Collecting Techniques at Menindee Lakes : 4min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Pressing Flowers Techniques link

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Eco Dyeing

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Demonstrating an application of Eco Dyeing into Nature Journaling : 4min

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Eco-Dyeing Techniques link

  12. 12

    Resource Kit 11: Writing & Turning Your Nature Journal into an E-Book

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Writing & Turning Your Nature Journal into an E-Book

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Nature Writing: Views Tips and Suggestions

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Digital Journaling: How to turn your Nature Journal into an eBook : 8min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Red List: How we turned Mali's Art Exhibition into a digital eBook : 5min

  13. 13

    Resource Kit 12: Deep Time Nature Journaling - Behind the scenes in creating inspired murals

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of Deep Time Nature Journaling

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Expand possibilities of your Nature Journaling experiences : 6min

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      How to render Atmospheric Sunsets and Night Skies with pastels : 4min

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Discussion on how to draw Fury Animals and Marsupial Eyes : 7min

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Contour Mapping into Art : 6min

  14. 14

    Resource Kit 13: How to Draw Australian Wild Life & Sea Life

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Draw Australian Wildlife

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      How to Draw Australian Sealife

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Nature Kids How to Draw Tasmanian Wildlife

  15. 15

    Resource Kit 14: Colouring in Australian Wild Life

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring Book Australian Bushlands

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring Book Australian Seashores

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Colouring Australian Wetlands

  16. 16

    Resource Kit 15: Dot to Dot Nature Activities

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Dot to Dot Australian Wildlife

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Dot to Dot Australian Sealife

  17. 17

    Bonus Section: Genestreaming Sculptures Public Art Program

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Overview of the Genestreaming Sculptures Public Art Program

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      An opportunity for Local Governments to Participate in the National Genestreaming Sculpture Tourism Trail Initiative

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Genestreaming Sculpture for Singapore Gardens by the Bay – Bunya Mountains to the Boyce Gardens Toowoomba

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Twin Creeks Genestreaming Sculpture link

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Mount Magnet Genestreaming Sculpture Project link

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Bonye Biar (Bunya Mountains) Genestreaming Sculpture link

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Kellerberrin Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Alice Springs Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Northcliffe Genestreaming Sculpture

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Denmark Genestreaming Sculpture

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Bremer Bay Genestreaming Sculpture

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Ravensthorpe Genestreaming Sculpture

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Wave Rock Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Wave Rock Mural featured on SciArt link

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Capel Augmented Reality Genestreaming Sculpture