Checking in from the banks of the Chobe River in Botswana.
We had an excellent day today photographing from a boat. We did a lot of work on elephant and hippo, managing to get really close and then were lucky enough to see a leopardess and her cubs come down to drink in the middle of the day – very rare sighting. We got some great shots of the sunset with elephants that I had been visualizing since arrival and I actually pulled it off!
We have been “roughing it” at Sanctuary Retreat “camps” in both Zambia and Botswana and they have really looked after us well.
The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace,” Wangari Maathai passed away on Sunday.
Her Green Belt Movement founded in 1977 has planted more than 30 million and helped nearly 900,000 women gain jobs.
With Green Seattle Partnership she helped plant trees and inspired everyone around her during her visit to Washington in 2009.
This Saturday is the grand re-opening of the beautiful Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
This is the world’s biggest dam removal, and one of biggest and most significant river restoration efforts. We will see a river coming back to life, with great benefits for salmon runs, the tribe and community. The lessons we learn on the Elwha can inspire other river restoration efforts around the country.
>>CLICK HERE for more info on the Elwha Dam removal project
>>CLICK HERE for an interesting back story on Senator Bill Bradley and the Elwha
Blue Earth’s first project was “The Living Wild”. Since then they have helped photographers create many socially and environmentally critical works. This is a great event that supports Blue Earth and you could walk away with a great piece of art by one of the many talented photographers.
A reminder that we are half way through the International Year of Forests – 2011. Let us not forget the importance of preserving and maintaining this invaluable resource. Here are some important statistics to consider:
– The livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people depend on forests.
– Forests are home to 80% of our terrestrial biodiversity.
– Trade in forest products was estimated at $327 billion in 2004.
– Forests are home to 300 million people around the world.
– 30% of forests are used for production of wood and non-wood products.
– Forests cover 31% of total land area.
– Primary forests account for 36% of forest area.
In the Pacific Northwest, efforts to curb logging to save the spotted owl and critical salmon runs from extinction have resulted in creating a huge carbon sink—larger trees and forests store massive amounts of carbon that would otherwise contributed to greenhouse gases. For once, unintended consequences are terrific for the environment!
There has been good news recently for wildlife in Washington State. Here are 4 articles from the Seattle Times that highlight the good news.
• A large brown bear was sighted in the North Cascades and photographed last October by hiker Joe Sebille. Last week federal biologists confirmed that it is in fact a Grizzly. This is the first sighting in 50 years. Click Here for the article.
• A gray wolf pack has been found near Cle Elum and confirmed by state biologists. This is the first pack sighting in many years. Gray wolf packs can move 100 miles in a day. Click here for the article.
• Interstate 90 is widening and will include improved wildlife passages near Snoqualmie Pass. The Department of Transportation is improving habitat by fashioning larger culverts and wildlife passages under and over I-90.Click here for the article.
• A newborn calf has been spotted among one of the pods of killer whales returning to the Puget Sound.Click here for the article.
My friend Frans Lanting and I are doing the Keynote talk at the PDN Outdoor Photo Expo 2011. The Expo is held in Salt Lake City, UT on August 4-5. The Keynote event is from 6:30 to 8:00pm on August 5th. I am looking forward to sharing the stage with Frans. Please come.
Here are the details of the talk:
For the first time ever, two of the world’s most acclaimed nature and outdoor photographers come together on stage to share images and insights about the power of photography to shape ideas about our natural world. Join us for a unique event featuring presentations by Frans Lanting and Art Wolfe, followed by a live discussion moderated by photo industry expert Patrick Donehue. Become part of the conversation and submit your questions to Art and Frans at Patrick Donehue patrick@patrickdonehue.com. Sponsored by EPSON.
