Recovering forests as metaphors series This work is from my ‘Recovering forests as metaphors’ series, commenced in 2025. The series (including this work) is inspired by the resilience of Australian eucalyptus trees and other native flora as evident by their resilience and remarkable capacity for recovery and regrowth after being ravaged by fire. Moonscapes left in the wake of a devastating bush fire gradually become ‘eucalyptus nurseries’ as young spindly saplings rise above the ash and soon become a lush green canopy of hope. As time passes, gaps are filled and what had been turned into a moonscape forged by fire, once again becomes a treescape with new growth restoring the ecosystem’s vitality. Recovering forests provide a powerful metaphor for life insofar as they signify the ability to recover – to bounce back – from a hardship and that it is possible to adapt to changing (even devasting) conditions and to heal. Key aspects of the metaphor • Gradual growth: Just as a forest takes time to regrow after devastation, recovery in this metaphor is not instantaneous but happens step-by-step, requiring patience and consistent effort. • Interdependence: Like the interconnected roots of trees in a forest, recovery often relies on the support and collaboration of different elements within a system, working together to facilitate healing. • Adaptability: Forests can adjust to changing conditions, and similarly, the metaphor suggest the capacity to adapt to new circumstances while still moving toward recovery • Resilience: The ability to withstand challenges and bounce back from setbacks is central to the forest metaphor, mirroring the tenacity needed during a recovery process.