FREEDOM TO ROAM: WILDLIFE CORRIDORS - BAJA TO BEAUFORT - B2B
AN INTERCONNECTED ENVIRONMENT OF OCEANIC, COASTAL AND TERRESTRIAL LANDSCAPES
The coastline of the B2B region is a rich habitat where land meets the sea, and sweetwater meets saltwater. Running from Baja California to the Beaufort Sea, this region encompasses a long connected line of sand, surf, cliff, island, estuary and marsh, as well as abutting coastal forest and ocean. Marine and terrestrial interrelationships are vast and complex, linking the life of the ocean depths to the very tops of ancient trees—and ultimately to us.
This bilogical corridor encompasses deserts, sierras, mangroves, fjords, archipelagos, and a vast stretch of arctic tundra. This is an ecosystem rich in migratory birds, fish and marine mammals, giving home also to the last large migratory herd of ungulates in the Americas. In the North it is also the home to some of the most powerful animals like bears and wolves. Certain parts of this region represent some of the wildest ecosystems still to be found on Earth and allows for the creation and preservation of wildlife corridors. But constant threats by development, industry and pollution are an ever growing issue.
In order to document the B2B region, it was necessary to divide it in three sections, where the southern part is represented by Baja California and California. The central part is represented by Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, and the north by Alaska. Originally, B2B stretched north only until the Bering Sea, but on this project we recognized the importance of incorporating the arctic ocean to the Beaufort Sea and the coastal region of the Alaskan Arctic as a vital component of the rest of this wildlife corridor. Many of the species that migrate south during the winter, depend on the icy waters and the tundra of the Arctic during the summer time.
A VISUAL CAMPAING FOR CONSERVATION
A conservation photography project consists not only in powerful imagery, it is also a combination of visual elements that allows a project to reach its goal: to inspire, to educate and empower people to take action.
A coffee-table book is published with powerful essayist from renown writers that have inspirational voices in the theme as well as personal stories from the field while working to complete the project. Museum and galleries exhibits are also a very important element to inspire and educate the public, so once the book is released, then an traveling exhibit is proposed to strengthen the message of the book and help carry the message to broader audiences in North America.
And to carry on with the conservation message, we produce a live multimedia presentation where the photographer speaks in front of an audience to share his personal experiences in the field. With natural sound and music, we aim to produce visuals that inspire and empower people to take action in the protection of endangered ecosystems like the B2B corridor.
BEHIND THE SCENES DURING B2B FIELDWORK WITH FLORIAN AND EMIL: