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CONSERVING IBERÁ: Our First Short Film About a Tompkins Conservation Success Story

In the Iberá wetlands of northern Argentina lies an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem. In this inspiring interview with Kris Tompkins, she tells the story of how her organization, Tompkins Conservation, has worked to restore and rewild the land, bringing back extirpated species and involving local communities in the conservation of what is now one of the largest protected areas in Argentina. Listen to her story and travel from home to this beautiful and remote corner of the planet where wildlife has been returning in large numbers.

GUNUNG LEUSER NATIONAL PARK: Photographs from Sumatra’s Largest Remaining Stretch of Rainforest

A collection of photographs of the amazing wildlife of Gunung Leuser National Park on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, part of the much larger Leuser Ecosystem — the last place on Earth where Sumatran orangutans, tigers, rhinos, and elephants still exist, alongside thousands of other impressive species.

Indonesia, Nature Photography, National ParksAndreea LotakJanuary 24, 2019sumatra, indonesia, rainforest, recent, photography, leuser ecosystemComment

RAJA AMPAT MARINE PARK, INDONESIA: The Heart of the Coral Triangle

A selection of photographs from one of the best scuba diving and snorkeling spots on the planet: Raja Ampat Marine Park in Indonesia. This is the beating heart of the Coral Triangle, a place of confluence for ocean currents rich in nutrients which attract hundreds of species of fish, whales, dolphins, and mantas, all among the largest diversity of corals.

Indonesia, Nature PhotographyAndreea LotakDecember 12, 2018raja ampat, indonesia, recent, photography, suba dive, snorkeling, coral triangle, underwaterComment

NEW ZEALAND'S TE ARAROA: Hiking to Connect Conservation

The Te Araroa, or “the long pathway” in Maori, is a 3000km trail that passes from the northern tip of the New Zealand’s North Island to the southern tip of the South Island. Rugged mountains, roaring rivers, temperate rainforests, windy grasslands and sandy coastlines are examples of the terrain one should expect to cross when hiking the Te Araroa.

FIJI’S INLAND PARADISE: River Rafting & Conservation

In 2000, a private rafting company, Rivers Fiji, succeeded in creating a partnership that led to the protection of 615 ha/1500 acres of Fijian native forest. This is an initiative that connects conservation, the outdoors, local communities, and biodiversity into one thrilling float down the stunning Upper Navua River.

GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE: After Two Decades of Conservation

We interviewed Noel Poe, President of the Board of Directors of Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, to learn from an advocate what the national monument means for conservation and for local communities. What we found was a story of success, hope and a lot of dedicated work.

UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BREAKS: Paddlers in a Historic Landscape

Before putting our canoe out from Coal Banks Landing, we had the chance to meet and interview Jim Greene and Martha Vogt, BLM volunteers and members of the Friends of the Missouri Breaks. Their love for this river inspired our trip.

GOLD BUTTE NATIONAL MONUMENT: Conversations in the Desert

We had the chance to spend two days in the Gold Butte National Monument guided by Jim Boone, an expert in Nevada's outdoors and a member of the Board of Directors for Friends of Gold Butte. This is one the monuments listed to be reduced in size as recommended by Secretary Zinke. However, any area taken away from this outstanding national monument would be a great loss.

Interviews, National Parks, USAAndreea LotakDecember 7, 2017national monuments, public lands, nevada, gold butte, recent, nature, conservation, archaeologyComment

THE WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY: Private Initiatives in the Sand to Snow & Mojave Trails National Monuments

The Wildlands Conservancy is an organization whose contributions have been instrumental to the creation of the Sand to Snow and the Mojave Trails National Monuments. We spoke with Jack Thompson, the Regional Director of their desert preserve, about the importance of the two national monuments and the work of The Wildlands Conservancy.

ORGAN MOUNTAINS - DESERT PEAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT: A Local Perspective

Designated in 2014 and covering ~500,000 acres, the Organ Mountains - Desert Peaks National Monument appeared to rank high on the list of contenders that could be scaled back by the presidential administration. Interview with David Crider, owner of Southwest Expeditions.

BASIN AND RANGE NATIONAL MONUMENT: Protecting Nevada's Wild Valleys

"When you go to Basin and Range you have to think about that notion of sitting on a beach and looking out at the ocean (...) it’s that same kind of serene feeling, similar to sitting on the prairie and looking at its vastness." Interview with Jim Boone, coordinator of efforts to create a local support group for the new national monument.

CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT - California's Largest Intact Grassland

Carrizo Plain National Monument is the largest remaining native grassland in the state of California, and though technically not part of the Central Valley (there’s a small mountain range that divides them), the ecosystem within the monument is very similar to that which made up most of the Central Valley prior to it being converted to agriculture. We had the opportunity to speak to both Neil Havlik and Steph Wald with the Carrizo Plain Conservancy, which is currently actively trying to increase the monument’s size.

Interviews, National Parks, USAJustin LotakNovember 29, 2017Carrizo, Plain, National Monument, California, conservancy, grassland, conservation, super bloom, recentComment

CARRIZO PLAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT: In Photos

Tucked between the Caliente Range and the Temblor Range lies a unique ecosystem. Most of California's San Joaquin Valley's grasslands have been converted to industrial, agricultural, or urban use - but the Carrizo Plain National Monument is a safe haven for grasses and wildflowers, harboring unique species and bringing visitors from around the world during years when the conditions are just right to cause an explosion of color during the occasional super bloom. In fact, it is the largest single native grassland remaining in California.

BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT: California's Great Unknown

Stretching across seven counties, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is an incredibly diverse conservation land in northern California. Despite its beauty, we found that it remains mostly unknown among locals and visitors to the region alike.

HANFORD REACH NATIONAL MONUMENT: Rare Grasslands on the Columbia River

We loved this national monument because it defies our standards of beauty, which define what we consider important to protect. It’s also a testimony to the resilience of nature on a 196,000 acres piece of land, surrounded by ecological disaster and extensive agriculture.

NEW MEXICO'S NATIONAL MONUMENTS AT RISK: A Photo Essay

A collection of photos from New Mexico's Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

IN CANCUN’S BACKYARD: Discovering Maya Ka’an (Part II)

The protection of nature is intricately connected with the protection of the Mayan identities within the authentic Maya Ka’an destination. With shared ownership rights over the land and jungles, the village cooperatives are aware of the power that their decisions have in dictating the faith of the natural ecosystems

IN CANCUN’S BACKYARD: Discovering Maya Ka’an (Part I)

"They should head to Maya Ka’an if they want to be off the beaten path and help conservation efforts, while getting in contact with the Mayan communities." An interview with Gonzalo Merediz Alonso, Executive Director of Amigos de Sian Ka'an, about an incredible destination away from the Mayan Riviera's crowds.

WHERE THE OCEAN AND THE FOREST MEET: The Valdivian Coastal Reserve

On a land destined to be logged, some of the most pristine valdivian temperate forests are now protected by this Nature Conservancy reserve. With its rugged coasts, ancient trees, impressive sand dunes, and local culture, it is a beautiful place to explore. Interview with Liliana Pezoa, administrator of the reserve.

"ROUTE OF PARKS": Chile’s Model for the World

Over the last few decades, a major effort has been in the works to create one of the world’s greatest natural wonders: a connected system of national parks through one of the planet’s great wildernesses. Chile’s Route of Parks, or Ruta de los Parques, will create a chain of 17 national parks, crossing 1,500 miles of Chile, from the northern Valdivian temperate rainforests of Patagonia, to the windswept southern reaches of the continent.

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