International League of Conservation Photographers RAVE in Wyoming
World Class Photographers focus lenses on threatened Upper Green River Basin
For Immediate Release – May 1, 2008
Some of the most preeminent nature photographers from all corners of the globe will converge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, May 17th through May 23rd to bring needed attention to a critical environmental crossroad in Wyoming’s Upper Green River Valley.
“The strength and prestige of the peer group that has been born through the ILCP is nothing short of amazing. I am both humbled and inspired every day. Our combined achievements and the tireless efforts of my colleagues give me reason to hope that things will get better for our beautiful planet...one image at a time.” – Cristina Mittermeier, Executive Director of ILCP
Following its annual meeting from May 17-18, the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) will take their cameras and packs on a 3-day expedition called a RAVE. RAVE is a trademarked initiative of the ILCP that stands for Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition. RAVEs address the challenge of modern conservation, which often needs an immediate supply of images, words and research to answer threats of imminent disruption.
This year’s RAVE will focus on Wyoming’s Upper Green River Basin which has seen some of the most intensively developed gas plays in the United States. Although this expanding development has now diminished air and water resources, wildlife, and the very health of local citizens, the landscape still contains areas of high scenic and ecological value such as the Wyoming Range which the public is trying to safeguard from future development.
“We’ve seen hints that citizens throughout Wyoming are beginning to question the no holds barred rush to industrialize everything in sight,” said Peter Aengst of The Wilderness Society. “This RAVE can help fuel that opinion shift by showcasing the impacts of this rush and highlighting those signature areas which can still be spared.”
For 72 hours from May 19-21, ILCP photographers will scour the focus area by air and by ground, capturing images that tell the story of the good, the bad, and the ugly of a landscape on the brink of further industrialization. The RAVE culminates Friday in a public exhibit of high quality photographic prints to be introduced at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole. The exhibit, sponsored by Earthjustice, takes place from 4-6pm and ILCP photographers will be present.
Participating ILCP photographers include Tom Mangelsen (USA), Jack Dykinga (USA), Balan Madhavan (India), Robert Glenn Ketchum (USA), Wendy Shatill (USA), Cristina Mittermeier (Mexico), James Balog (USA), Matthias Breiter ( Germany) among many others.
ILCP has partnered with Summit Photography Workshops, The Wilderness Society, The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance, Ecoflight, Lighthawk and others to bring more awareness to the impacts of expanding oil and gas development.
RAVE REVIEW
Media opportunities for ILCP RAVE event
May 18-23 Interviews with ILCP nature photographers in Jackson Hole or Pinedale, WY
May 19 Accompany ILCP photographers on aerial flight of Wyoming Range and Pinedale/Jonah gas fields (limited availability) Based from Jackson Hole
May 19-21 mini-RAVE - Go into the field with ILCP photographers as they document the conservation story from a base point in Pinedale, Wyoming
Locations and subjects to photograph include
Wyoming Range
Upper Green River
Jonah gas fields
Wildlife - possibly moose, elk, deer, pronghorn
Pinedale anticline oil & gas fields
Local ranches
Trappers’ Point animal migration choke point
Researchers, biologists, hunters, local residents
May 23 Print exhibition of RAVE photographs on display at National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole from 4-6pm. Interviews with ILCP photographers
Contacts: Cristina Mittermeier, International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), 703.304.1440
Jenny Nichols, ILCP, 703.901.7009
Peter Aengst, The Wilderness Society, 406.586.1600
