Background
Scientists have identified 1.4 million species on earth and estimate that many millions more exist. Sadly, species are currently undergoing a catastrophic, human-induced mass extinction. Thousands are disappearing each year, before we even have the opportunity to see them, let alone identify them and know them well. With the disappearance of each species, the planet’s biological web suffers.
The survival of the remaining species depends upon our knowledge of and commitment to global biological diversity. At our current pace, however, it will take scientists nearly 600 years to document all of the earth’s species. And, due to a number of factors, such as limited access and overly technical presentation of information, it will take far longer for this information to reach the public.
A need exists for an organization that integrates science, photography and design to create standardized methods of photo-documenting plants and animals. A need also exists for an organization that can consistently create these photographs and apply them to user-friendly and audience-specific biodiversity tools, such as websites, field guides, conservation materials and more. Finding Species fills this niche. Rather than relying on scientists to become photography experts, Finding Species draws on the expertise of our highly qualified staff and associates to produce not only accurate, but also visually compelling images and related materials.
Finding Species’ success relies too upon its close collaborative partnerships with museums, universities, and conservation groups. While we focus on our core mission, we rely upon our partners to provide updated taxonomic and conservation information for our photographs, to provide appropriate venues for exhibiting our images, and to direct conservation campaigns using our images in outreach materials.
While our overarching goal is to stem the extinction tide, our specific goals are to use photography and associated technology to:
- Speed scientific research with faster, more reliable species identification;
- Increase the public’s knowledge about local and global biodiversity;
- Foster stronger conservation policies.
Please refer to our Galleries to view a sample of our photographs