Guest blog by Lauren Pascoe from Wildscreen
Whether you want to explore the wonders of the natural or are in need of some inspiration for this years’ Society of Biology photography competition, ARKive has it covered.
ARKive is an initiative of Wildscreen, a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to inspire the global community to discover, value and protect the natural world using the power of wildlife imagery. With over 15,000 fascinating species fact-files and over 100,000 films and photos from the world’s best wildlife photographers and filmmakers, gathered together and freely available online at www.arkive.org, we hope to shine a spotlight on the world’s biodiversity.
Like the Society of Biology and its ‘How Biology Can Save the World’ photography competition, we believe that imagery is powerful and effective means of raising environmental awareness. Amazing and awe-inspiring wildlife films and photos can be instrumental in igniting that very first spark of interest in the natural world and can ultimately inspire people to protect and conserve the world’s biodiversity. Biodiversity also offers solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing our world including climate change, disease and food security. We need it as much as it needs us.
ARKive covers every aspect of life on Earth, from dugongs to damselflies. With over 19,000 species threatened with extinction, photography is a powerful medium to highlight the threats facing biodiversity across the globe. We know their names, we know where they live, but in many cases we don’t yet have a photo of them, let alone a film clip. And there’s a fantastic wealth of life out there. Did you know, for instance, that the axolotl has the ability to re-grow whole limbs? Or that the shrew-like Hispaniolan solenodon is capable of secreting toxic saliva? And that the world’s largest butterfly has a wingspan of 28 cm? Every day we learn a bit more about the world around us, and there’s plenty more to discover.
If photography is your thing, Wildscreen is also behind WildPhotos – the UK’s largest wildlife photography symposium, held in London every October, where the world’s top wildlife photographers share their stories and tips – a perfect opportunity to get some insider knowledge for next years competition!
For inspiration from the world’s best wildlife and environmental photographers, explore ARKive.
Enter the Society of Biology Photography competition here and show how biology can help to save earth’s amazing biodiversity.
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