As a prominent member of the colony well known for her interest in natural history and art, Lady Forrest was a contact for visiting botanists and botanical artists.

Throughout her time in Perth, North was supplied with various local botanical specimens by Lady Forrest.

During her stay they received word that the rare and spectacular Eucalyptus macrocarpa was flowering at Newcastle (now Toodyay).

Lady Forrest and North took the eight hour journey on horseback to see the flowering plant, which was "well worth coming for".

[3][7] In Western Australia, Mt Margaret and Mt Elvire, between Laverton and Leonora; and Margaret River and Elvire River in the Kimberley region were named after her, as was the Fremantle Harbour pilot boat Lady Forrest launched in 1903.