MINNESOTA—In a moody swirl of cool greens, blues and browns, with hints of yellow and orange, the newly hung mural at the headquarters of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire depicts an American beech overhanging a sun spattered brook that tumbles into Mirror Lake. If you look hard enough you will discover many of the iconic species living in the area including black-throated blue warblers, a salamander and a variety of mushroom species. The mural is the creation of Raisa Kochmaruk, a science illustrator who was a resident artist at Hubbard Brook this past summer.

Kockmaruk’s work contributes to the growing program integrating art and science at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. The idea behind the program is that artists and scientists working together can catalyze action and collaboration to better understand and preserve natural systems from environmental damage through the passion elicited by art.

Not long after arriving at Hubbard Brook, Kochmaruk was led on a tour of Mirror Lake by long-time site manager Ian Halm. “In June, the forest is not quite a jungle, but well on its way,” said Halm. Exploring the area on her own days later, Kochmaruk was captivated by the vibrancy and color of foliage and geology of the area.   

“If you’ve never before seen Hubbard Brook in springtime, know this: photos do not do the hues justice, liquid-fire patches of sunlight do not render accurately on pixelated screens,” said Kochmaruk. “The overall phenomenology of the landscape cannot be felt with due force unless you are up to your ankles in mud, listening to the sweet trill of a blue-headed vireo and having your blood drained gently by mosquitos.” 

“It is our hope that the mural will inspire and delight the many visitors to Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest for years to come,” said Lindsey Rustad, Northern Research Station research ecologist and research team leader at Hubbard Brook.