I had just finished reading a book

about bark beetles and and their impact on forests. On a flight from Ohio to Colorado, I looked out the plane window, and noticed similarities between the beetle’s patterns and the miniature earth below.

Curious, I dug deeper and was shocked to discover how closely human patterns mirror those of bark beetles.

Bark beetles are really cool creatures and they are essential in a healthy forest. But when a forest is under stress from drought and warmer temperatures, the population of beetles increases.  As they eat and tunnel under the bark they kill the tree, and then the forest.  The dead trees become a fuel source for forest fires.

The beetle destroys not only its home, but itself.


Looking out of the plane window, I wondered if humans weren’t doing the same.

Can humans choose differently?

BARK BEETLES. Bark beetles are marvelous creatures. They are well organized with complex systems and modes of communication. One of their primary jobs is to find the stressed tree in a forest and take it down to make room for new growth. They are exceptionally good at what they do.

With warmer nights and dryer days the entire forest is stressed. The beetles keep eating. At some point, they’ve gone too far and they destroy their home.

HUMANS. Humans are marvelous creatures who are well organized with complex systems and modes of communication. We are extraordinary builders and problem solvers; we’re exceptionally good at what we do.

While bark beetles are hungry for the inner bark of trees. Humans are hungry for convenience, variety, warm homes, iced drinks, hot showers, new outfits, hot meals, easy transportation. All of these things burn carbon, putting us at risk, like the beetle, of destroying our home, the earth.

Voracious Appetites - Eating the Host®

A photo exhibit about forests, wildfires, and climate responsibility.

Voracious Appetites explores striking parallels between patterns left by nature—and the ones humans leave behind. 

Through side-by-side photography by respected photographers and scientists - and paired with powerful sculptural elements, the exhibit invites viewers to confront our role in accelerating climate change—and to imagine how we might shift our patterns before it's too late.

Voracious Appetites invites us to look closely, reflect deeply, and consider the choices that will shape our shared future.

Voracious Appetites can stand alone or be part of your curated exhibit on:

  • Climate,

  • Human consumption,

  • The importance of patterns,

  • Bark beetles,

  • Aligning toward a greater good.

“Provocative”

“Meaningful”

“Beautiful”

“Powerful”

“Important”

“Extraordinary”

Comments from Global Environmental Justice Conference.

“Voracious Appetites” inspires viewers

I was reminded of the many different forms activism could take – we are not limited to politics, law or the courts – we can use other ways, like art and communication, to make an equivalent or even more effective impact. 

I walked away from her exhibit with a better understanding both of how my actions and the actions of other individuals have lasting impacts on the planet, and how visual and spatial mediums can engage an audience when mixed with written mediums.

The similarities between human and these beetle patterns was striking.  It really made me consider the destructive actions of humans and our impact on the natural world.  She didn’t present anything as hopeless, however, and really stressed action. She believes we have real control and impact.

I liked that Jennifer talked about making yourself feel empowered, because waiting around for big changes to happen doesn’t feel good.

Professional response to “Voracious Appetites”

  • Voracious Appetites helps us to contextualize the deep impacts each of us make in our daily lives on the region in which we live and the planet which is our host.

    Dr. Scott Denning, Atmospheric Scientist

  • The hourglass is emptying. The sooner we recognized that the cleverness of our species can be both the problem or the solution, the better.

    David Leatherman, Forest Entomologist

  • This project tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time in an accessible fashion. The possibilities for learning and engagement across so many fields make for an exciting roster of programming utilizing local experts and community members.

    Lisa Hatchadoorian, Executive Director Internal Affairs, MoA | Fort Collins

  • Voracious Appetites offers a culturally relevant experience that harnesses the visual arts to‬ ‭ transform the viewer’s capacity for agency in the climate crisis.

    Jeanne Shoaff, Arts Professional

  • Nowhere before have I seen such an impactful approach to raising awareness of the extent and urgency‬ ‭ of recognizing society ’s consumption pattern than what Jennifer is compiling through the Voracious‬ ‭ Appetites initiative.

     Frenchy Morisette, PhD in Forestry

  • Jennifer’s project is timely, relevant, and will demonstrate that the arts‬ ‭ have a voice in society, speaking in ways that other methods do not.

    Joy Nyenhuis, Community Member

Museum and art center inquiries:


Email: Jenny1032@gmail.com
Text: 970-402-6683

Fort Collins, CO 80524