We aim to provide habitat-country students, teachers, and community leaders with the information and skills they need to implement primate conservation approaches in their daily lives and to develop future conservation-compatible careers.
Our goal is to educate students in primate biology, behavior, and conservation issues through photography, illustration, and storytelling, improving knowledge and inspiring appreciation of the ecological, cultural, and economic value to their communities when protecting primates and their habitats.
Becoming the Photographer to Build Connections with the Natural World
We often (rightfully) celebrate photography as an influential tool to inform people around the world about conservation issues. Photography Inspiring Children in Conservation also uses images to educate and influence peoples’ engagement with primate conservation, but it takes a different angle to achieve this goal in critical habitat communities. Using the process of becoming the photographer and seeing the natural world through a lens gives a powerful, new perspective to local people that informs and engages them, bringing a personal connection, and an appreciation of the biodiversity in their backyards.
“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced” ~David Attenborough
Think about it from the photographer’s perspective. To truly be a good wildlife photographer, one must have a deep understanding and appreciation of animal behavior, the habitat and ecosystem, use good ethics both in unobtrusively occupying the space and being ultra-aware of the animals’ needs and sense of your presence, and understand the impact that your images will have when shared with the public.
Being the photographer changes your perspective. By slowing down as we walk through a habitat, by finding interesting plants and animals through looking more closely, by putting an eye to the viewfinder and composing the image, and by enlarging that image to see even more details, we gain entirely new perspectives and insights. Even years after taking tens of thousands of images, I can look at a photo and get a rush of memories of the animal and its habitat, the smells, the warmth of the day, my companions, and my connection with the natural world in that moment.
Building these connections through the arts of photography, illustration, and storytelling is a means of inspiring students to become conservation leaders within their communities. PICC provides the students with these skills and the knowledge needed to understand primate ecology and conservation issues, and builds an effective foundation upon which the students can seek conservation-oriented careers.