Environmental Photographers: Telling the Story of Our Planet’s Future.

The Role of Environmental Photography in Conservation
Environmental photographers are passionate visual storytellers dedicated to documenting the awe-inspiring beauty of the planet and highlighting its most urgent environmental challenges. As a contemporary African environmental photographer specializing in landscape and wildlife photography, I focus on raising awareness about the critical importance of wilderness conservation.

Through my lens, I aim to forge a deep connection between viewers and the natural world. My photos not only capture stunning landscapes and wildlife but also serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between humanity and nature. These images inspire action and advocacy for the protection of our planet’s most precious ecosystems.

This Environmental Photography project was undertaken for the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve, a South African based, non-profit organisation dedicated to ecological restoration and protection. On 9 June 2015, the 3.2-million-hectarearea that makes up Gouritz Cluster was officially designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and declared a place of major biodiversity significance for the planet. See the landscape photography

Within this area are places of incredible natural beauty but more importantly, the biodiversity here is incredible with over 5000 plant species, many of which are rare and unique. In fact, 670 species are endemic, which means they are found nowhere else in the world. Within this area we also see the convergence of three global biodiversity hotspots, Cape floral kingdom, Succulent Karoo and Maputuland-Thongaland-Albany where much has already been lost making conservation absolutely critical.
Our region faces serious environmental threats; many caused by poor farming practices which lead to severe degradation and the prevalence of invasive alien plants. These invasive plants spread and dominate the landscape resulting in water scarcity, increased fire risk, and the loss of biodiversity and livelihoods.

We are an action-oriented organisation driven to improve, protect and restore ecosystems. We collaborate with farmers, private landowners, government, and other institutions for effective management of land; water resources and biodiversity. We also drive research and education as well as economic diversity and livelihoods.
These efforts are all aimed at securing the future of our beautiful region and driving our vision and mission in accordance with our values:

We engage in active restoration activities in different environments. In the arid Klein Karoo region, we grow and plan spekboom thickets back into the landscape where it used to occur naturally. We also employ different erosion combatting techniques. In our mountain and riparian zones that are plagued with invasive alien plant species we employ different clearing and rehabilitation techniques.

These are the key mechanisms used as flint to spark the establishment of ecological corridors. Here we aim to connect safe ecological spaces, at landscape level, that are critical for the long-term survival of wild animals and plants, especially in the context of climate change. This is achieved by partnering with willing landowners to implement strategies for effective fire management, successful invasive alien plant control, and improved river and wetland health.

There is another aspect to this and that is how we work in communities and make human impacts. We assist local entrepreneurs to develop effective contractor teams and create jobs through environmental restoration. We provide training and help build their credibility in the community; thereby ensuring that they have sustainable businesses even if our project were to cease.

Colin Stephenson Environmental Photographer, Africa www.colinstephenson.com