Connect with Nature.

Share Biodiversity Information.

Inspire Art.

The Leaf Connection is a community-driven art and science project I launched in 2022 using plant observations submitted through iNaturalist. Created to foster environmental awareness and deepen connections to the desert landscape of metropolitan Phoenix, the project transforms community-generated data into a collective portrait of urban biodiversity.

Drawing from thousands of observations, I created an installation of more than 1,400 hand-carved ceramic leaves pinned to a 30-foot-wide map of the Valley. Each leaf represents a specific plant species, the location where it was observed, and the individual who documented it. Together, these elements form an evolving visualization of the region’s rich plant life and the people who engage with it.

The project invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with the Sonoran Desert and their role in its stewardship. By highlighting the beauty, resilience, and diversity of local ecosystems, The Leaf Connection encourages a deeper awareness of the natural world woven throughout the urban environment.

The Leaf Connection installation was on exhibit at Phoenix’s Desert Botanical Garden from August 2024 to August 2025, and is currently on view at the Tucson Museum of Art through September 2026.