After months of hard work, collaboration, and creativity, I’m thrilled (and a little nervous) to finally share my latest installation, "Biodiversity Jenga"—which will greet delegates in the heart of the Blue Zone at the #COP16 Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia.
At 21 feet tall, this precarious tower of 34 blocks isn’t just a piece of art. It’s a symbol of the fragile balance between humanity and nature.
Each block represents a unique Colombian ecosystem—from kelp forests and coral reefs to tropical rainforests and Andean cloud forests. If one block falls, everything becomes unstable—a powerful metaphor for how our ecosystems are interconnected. Surrounding the tower, removed blocks depict the drivers of ecosystem destruction like pollution, plastic waste, and deforestation, serving as a stark reminder of the threats we face.
But this installation isn’t just about doom and gloom. It’s a call to action. At the top of the tower, three children’s sculptures—created by local artist Raizha Guzmán—hold binoculars, a megaphone, and a watering can. They remind us of the critical roles we must play: observe, advocate, and care for our environment.
This project is personal for me because it brought together so many amazing individuals. Over 200 students from local schools handcrafted more than 150 animal sculptures that populate the ecosystems. The installation itself was a community-driven effort, made possible through collaborations with brilliant landscape artist Milton Duarte, the team at Metamateriales SAS, and a diverse group of artists, engineers, and environmental experts coordinated by the talented Charlotte de Casabianca.
One of the most exciting parts? We’ve partnered with SeaTrees to highlight an innovative solution— the world's first marine biodiversity credits. These credits fund the restoration of critical ecosystems like mangrove forests and coral reefs, not only reversing biodiversity loss but also building coastal resilience and sequestering carbon. It’s a way to take meaningful action, beyond awareness.
I couldn’t be prouder of the team effort that brought this project to life. From the Ministry of Culture to local schools in Cali, this was a collaborative labor of love.
After COP16, Biodiversity Jenga will remain as a permanent installation at Cali’s Botanical Garden—standing as reminder that it’s not too late to act. 🌱
If you’re at COP16, come check it out in the heart of the Blue Zone. Let’s keep the conversation going and work together to protect 30% of our planet’s land and water by 2030. 💪
Special thanks to Tanya Thompson for getting me permission to use the word "Jenga" in this art installation, Casson Trenor for support on fundraising, comms, and production, my friends at Forward Global for all their fiscal sponsor support, David Purkey for introducing me to the Ministry of Environment, and so many more.
For more info: www.biodiversitygame.org
#BiodiversityJenga #COP16 #Biodiversity #Cali
