Who we are

PICC is currently working in Madagascar, Panama and Uganda with plans developing for Rwanda in 2024. Check out our new trailer!

Our goals are to inspire primate-habitat students, teachers, and community elders to become conservation leaders within their community by providing them with skills and knowledge regarding primate ecology and conservation issues and solutions through the arts of photography and illustration. We work to empower each group of participants with sustainable learning and skill development by providing Canon DSLR cameras, a printer, and other resources to continue using their new skills in developing conservation-compatible careers.

PICC has led photography sessions for hundreds of children in communities near Bwindi Impenetrable NP and Queen Elizabeth NP in Uganda; in Suriname; and on the Azuero Peninsula in Panama, areas with critical habitat and conservation issues for endangered primates such as the mountain gorilla. We use Canon cameras exclusively. We find that with our guidance the students can be immediately successful in wildlife photography using Canon cameras. Please let us know if you have a Canon DSLR camera or zoom lens that you would like to donate to our program!

We have been pleased and proud of the Ugandan and Panamanian students that have continued to develop their skills. They demonstrate a sustained competence and confidence in taking wildlife photographs, quietly and respectfully keeping a distance by using their zoom capabilities, uploading images on the computer, and using their experiences and images to educate the public.

We have developed the PICC program to have both immediate and sustainable impact on protecting primates and their habitats. We:

    • Collaborate with the local communities to celebrate their relationship with their ecosystem and endangered wildlife;
    • Provide a platform to share traditional ecological knowledge, empowering future generations in conservation issues and solutions;
    • Enact both immediate and long-term appreciation of primates and protected areas;
    • Give children new skills they can use after the program is finished – in communications, photography and illustration, skills that can be used to develop careers in conservation and tourism;
    • Provide equipment to remain onsite and paid local personnel to assist the students and teachers in sustainable learning.

Photography Inspiring Children in Conservation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN 85-0519766). All donations are tax deductible (in the USA) and 100% of your donations will go towards these projects. Support us!

Engaging Children with Primate Conservation in Panama

Endangered Azuero howler monkeys, tadpoles, bats, birds, insects, and beautiful wildlife, all in the school yard April 2022. Headed to the airport after more than 2 years of pandemic restrictions was an exciting change. Finally, an opportunity to work with children again on conservation in primate-habitat communities!  Landing in Panama City, we drove SW down the Azuero Peninsula to arrive…

Conservation Education Near Mountain Gorilla Habitats

Partnering with the Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative and the Bwindi Plus Primary School in Buhoma, Uganda, our PICC team spent an exciting week with local children, educators, parents and elders. Together, we explored information about mountain gorillas, the children learned how to take photos with a DSLR camera and use photography for conservation awareness, and gained skills in making…

Conservation Education in Uganda

Part 2–Rwenshama In August 2022, the PICC program visited the rural community of Rwenshama, Rukungiri District, in Southwestern Uganda. We worked with the students of BACHO (Banyabutumbi Cultural Heritage Organization) where we learned so much from the children and the community about their wildlife and their own lives living within the borders of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Banyabatumbi are…