Wildflower Zine
In January 2022, a strong sense of commitment drove me to create a visual artefact aimed at spreading a crucial message regarding the plight of our precious wildflower meadows. I envisioned a versatile visual booklet, capable of serving as both a field guide and a powerful tool for raising awareness.
My motivation was deeply rooted in the alarming decline that wildflower meadows have faced in recent history. The UK, for instance, has witnessed a staggering loss of approximately 97% of its wildflower-rich grassland habitats since the 1930s. This decline has been attributed to urbanization, intensive agricultural practices, and evolving land management strategies. The consequences have been dire—habitat loss, increased reliance on pesticides, and disturbances in natural grazing patterns. Nevertheless, there exists a determined push to restore and safeguard these invaluable ecosystems, with endeavours ranging from rewilding projects and native wildflower planting to advocating sustainable land management practices.
Furthermore, across the uk a team of dedicated volunteers and citizen scientists can be found. Many are aligned with various national and local conservation organizations, providing invaluable help. These grassroots projects hinge on ordinary individuals venturing out to document their discoveries. The empirical data they contribute plays a pivotal role in comprehending the state of our natural world.
In harmony with this grassroots spirit, I conceived the Wildflower Zine—a medium that beckons both novices and enthusiasts to explore their local surroundings and uncover hidden gems. So, I spent a few weeks getting outside and drawing what I found. Building a collection of wildflower illustrations and working on a zine design.
The final zine design went on to feature an array of easily identifiable common wildflowers that children and families might also chance upon during their outdoor adventures. The zine was designed to fit snugly into a handy pocket-sized format, rendering it effortlessly portable and perfect for young hands to grasp. Each zine was handmade too, from printing to hand-binding, utilizing locally sourced recycled paper.
Within each package, I included an engaging spotting poster and charming handmade wildflower stencils, expanding the horizons of children's learning experiences. Every zine was thoughtfully packaged, nestled within charming kraft paper envelopes, sealed with the timeless charm of wax. The result was a compelling amalgamation of art and education, designed to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world around them.
If you would like to see more of this project you can see it here in my portfolio, Wildflower Zine.