James Borrell is a biodiversity scientist and science communicator researching how people and nature can adapt to environmental change.

Inspiring Conservation Images

Before I begin, I should say that I’m definitely not a photographer. I don’t have a very big lens and I’m not very patient either. Sometimes though, I’ve been lucky enough to stand in the right place, at the right time, and shoot with sufficient excess that something useful comes out as a result.

Recently, I’ve been giving more and more talks, especially to secondary school students. As a result, sifting through piles of photographs has become more important than ever. The aim is ‘science communication’, that simply means getting across research aims and achievements (which can sometimes sound a bit dull and dry) in an interesting way.

I talk a lot (~~too much~~) about conservation fieldwork, about engaging people with wild and wonderful projects that are underway in challenging and remote locations around the world (and in the UK too). Even if you’re the most enthralling speaker, a good talk is still enhanced by an interesting photograph or two.

So, impressed with the capabilities of Flickr to choose interesting photographs, we’ve started a group to bring inspiring conservation images together under one roof. Not your standard (but impressive) photographs of giraffes walking majestically on the plain at sunset or super telephoto portrait of a distant gorilla. Instead, we want images of real fieldwork that show projects in action, by the people that are doing it. There’s a few poor examples from me below…

If you have a moment to take a look at the group, then great. If you have something to contribute then even better, please do. And if you can share it to help me get the ball rolling then you’ll have eternal gratitude!