On September 21, 2024, Peter Chan, Mila Gajic (Design MFA 2024), and Uday Dandavate (Design MFA 1995) successfully presented their peer-reviewed program, titled “Being & Belonging: Exploring Identity and Community Connections through Conversations with Trees,” at the beautiful theater space of the San Diego Mingei International Museum. The event took place during San Diego Design Week (SDDW). SDDW was sponsored by the World Design Organization, the University of San Diego Design Lab, the City of San Diego, Design Forward Alliance, and the Burnham Center for Community Advancement. The interactive installation promotes environmental awareness through an augmented reality experience that allows participants to engage with the trees on the Oval. The experience is enhanced by 14-page accordion books that encapsulate the visual, emotional, social, and political narratives of each participant’s chosen tree.