As some of you may already know, I recently began working with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) as their official photographer. This is a dream come true for me as it marries my passion for photography with my love of nature and allows me to use my gifts in service and support of the natural world.  The BNRC's mission as land keepers is to conserve and protect land so that we may all have free access to nature and be able to readily find serenity and peace within. The bucolic Berkshires would hardly be the same if not for the many tracts of conserved, open land.  Land trusts and conservation agencies play a key role in acquiring and maintaining open spaces for the multitudes to enjoy, preventing them from being swallowed up by development. To do so, they depend on the donation of key resources (time, land and money.)  They also rely on awareness and commitment. 

My connection to the natural world stems from many enjoyable childhood experiences playing outdoors (see photos below), hiking through fields in search of wildflowers, and deeply exploring the woodlands surrounding my family’s country home. My maternal grandfather left an urban lifestyle and opted instead to live a quiet life of solitude in a cabin in the mountains. Though we lived in the city, we’d visit him on weekends and vacations. As an amateur naturalist, he taught me about plants and animals and instilled in me a curiosity about the land and the creatures that surrounded me. My deep reverence for the natural world comes from having spent time regularly being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the local woodland.  But, for those that may have not had similar first-hand experiences, how do you connect them to the wonders of nature? How do you tell the story of the importance of conservation and persuade people to care about protecting natural resources?

Photographers have long played a part in this role- that of communicating knowledge and more importantly, imparting emotion and a sense of connection. It is said that early photographers who traveled west played key roles in the founding of America’s National Park System. Images created by Carleton Watkins convinced Abraham Lincoln to protect Yosemite. Similarly an expedition to the Yellowstone area in 1871, that included photographer, William Jackson, further led to the creation of YNP act in 1872.  (Fun trivia fact: the famous painter, Thomas Moran, was also a part of that expedition!)  And, in 1927 the iconic images made by Ansel Adams of Half Dome in Yosemite helped to gain interest and support in creating Kings Canyon National Park. (There is now an award named in his honor, bestowed by the Sierra Club, recognizing photographic work that furthers conservation causes.)
 
On that note, last year, I had the honor of winning several awards for my photographs, all in support of local land trusts. (See photos here.) What I want to stress is that it wasn’t the “winning” per se that excited me. Rather, it was the knowledge that my work was recognized as having value in support of the mission of conservation and that people could relate to my images in that fashion.  It is my humble hope that through my pursuit and passion for photography that I can make a difference in the world and encourage people to connect, engage and to care about the natural world around them. This is how I honor my reverence to the land, the animals, and to divine Mother Nature.

Question for discussion: What are you most passionate about? How will you use your gifts in support of this?