• National Geographic Museum’s Megatransect
an interactive multimedia installation about J. Michael Fay's journey across Africa, photographed by Michael "Nick" Nichols.
SEE THE PROJECT
Driven by sheer will, ecologist Mike Fay led a team on a punishing journey across central Africa. His goal: survey wildlife along 2,000 miles (3,200 Km) between Congo and Gabon. For 456 days they walked, tested by hunger, illnesses, and raw nerves. Still they marveled at the landscape and unrestrained curiosity of mammals that had never seen humans. The primary goals of the expedition were to study the correlation between large-mammal abundance and human influence across the pristine central African rain forests of Congo and Gabon as well as to evaluate other environmental and conservation issues. As a direct result of the powerful media coverage of the Megatransect, 13 national parks have been created in Gabon--an unprecedented achievement in conservation on the African continent.
• Conservation International’s Biodiversity Hotspots
a photographic installation featuring top CI photographers
SEE THE PROJECT
Life on Earth faces a crisis of historical and planetary proportions. Unsustainable consumption in many northern countries and crushing poverty in the tropics are destroying wild nature. Biodiversity is besieged. Extinction is the gravest aspect of the biodiversity crisis: it is irreversible. While extinction is a natural process, human impacts have elevated the rate of extinction by at least a thousand, possibly several thousand, times the natural rate. Mass extinctions of this magnitude have only occurred five times in the history of our planet; the last brought the end of the dinosaur age. In a world where conservation budgets are insufficient given the number of species threatened with extinction, identifying conservation priorities is crucial. British ecologist Norman Myers defined the biodiversity hotspot concept in 1988 to address the dilemma that conservationists face: what areas are the most immediately important for conserving biodiversity?
• California Academy of Sciences’ Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land photography by Subhankar Banerjee
SEE
THE PROJECT | SEE
INFO SITE
In the far northeastern corner of Alaska, a pristine
wilderness known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
pulses with life, even in the depths of a white subzero
winter. Until recently, most images of this vibrant
ecosystem were captured only during the brief summer
seasons when weather conditions permitted more comfortable
photography - leaving many to imagine the area as
largely frozen, barren and lifeless during the rest
of the year. However, in 2001 physicist-turned-photographer
Subhankar began a two year photographic journey of
the region, enduring blizzards, bitter cold, and a
trek that totaled 4,000 miles to capture polar bears,
musk oxen, the rare buff-breasted sandpiper, and dozens
of other species that thrive in the refuge throughout
the year. A spectacular tour of endangered wildlife,
tremendous terrain, otherworldly skyscapes, and isolated
native villages.
•
UNEP and Canon’s
Focus on Your World
an international environmental photography exhibition
SEE THE PROJECT
Following three successful international photo competitions on the environment, UNEP, generously supported by Canon Inc., invited photographers - professional and amateur, adults and young people - once again to show us the world as they saw it. Each competition has generated huge interest from the photographic community and helped to increase global public awareness of environmental issues. This competition builds on an impressive collection of powerful images documenting the beauty and fragility of the global environment. The competition was launched on World Environment Day, 5 June 2004, and was open to people of all ages and nationalities, professional and amateur, young and old alike. By its 24 October 2004 closing date it had attracted 32,299 entries from 169 countries and regions. A team of internationally renowned photographers judged the entries and selected 205 outstanding works. The photographs tell a story of our stewardship of the planet, depicting humankind's relationship with the environment, and the challenges the natural world faces. "Focus on Your World" is not just about recording our planet's diverse riches for posterity. It should provide inspiration for years to come for people across the globe to cherish our planet's irreplaceable diversity, not just in pictures, but in life.
• Natural World Museum’s Permanent Collection
featuring a special collection of Robert Bateman paintings
GO TO THE SITE
Though the creative impact of innovative art exhibitions, from ancient and indigenous objects to contemporary and multi-media visions, NWM effectively demonstrates how environmental art fosters a distinctly new awareness and approach to solving the social impact of environmental issues. NWM will also help generate a new cultural appreciation of humanity's relationship with the fragile beauty of nature. NWM will also feature unique works of art that depict the world of nature through the lens of Bateman's eye, including various works that encompass the scope of his entire career and reflect his commitment to ecology and preservation.
• Green Century Institute’s Green City Solutions
a showcase of sustainable community models
GO TO THE SITE
Redesigning
Metropolis: Ecology, Community, and the Greening of
the City. Models: Auroville and Califia: Califia will
combine a revolutionary "arcological" (architecture-ecology)
design integrating cutting edge sustainable development
and technology resources with community innovations.
These innovations include extended family communal
housing configurations, new kinds of public facilities
and services, advanced power generation and recycling
systems, permaculture farms and greenhouses, non-traditional
financing and "social capital" programs.
The dramatic, integrated complex will meld natural
environments with dense urban spaces.
•
Antonio Vizcaino’s
America Natural
Latin American photographer and writer
Antonio Vizcaino is a nature photographer who considers it his privilege to be driven to roam the wonders of our planet. He is now so integrated with his environment that its beauty and power capture him in order to be able to recreate it with his camera. More than a photographer, he is a traveler whose mission is to photograph the most well-preserved and beautiful natural spots on the American continent so as to inspire in others a desire for their conservation. His images are a collection of moments distilled from ancient exchanges on the wild remains of creation. They are the essence of something that is at the same time valued and indispensable for the life of our spirit.
•
Nate
Pagel’s RAINFOREST: A Surround
Video and Sound Experience - Featuring Soundscapes
by Bernie Krause -
SEE THE PROJECT
RAINFOREST is an immersive experience set inside a 44 foot surround projection geodesic dome. The dome interior is covered with 360-degree floor-to-ceiling surround video from 7 projectors. In addition, a surround sound system conveys the lush biophonies that eloquently express the voice of the rainforest. The content originates from HD video that Nate Pagel shot in Costa Rica and edited at a recent residency at the Djerassi Resident Artists Program. Pagel is working with construction and events company Obscura Digital to build the dome and sound designer Bernie Krause to create the soundtrack. |
