New WCS Photo Exhibit at UN

Julie Larsen Maher©WCS

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) opened a new photographic exhibit at the United Nations headquarters to raise awareness about global conservation. The images on display depict wildlife and landscapes from the forests of Madagascar to the coasts of Patagonia.

“Gateways to Conservation: Connecting People to Nature” runs from October 23 through January 9, 2009 in the Main Gallery of the United Nations Visitors’ Lobby, located at First Avenue and East 46th Street in Manhattan. The show is free and open to the public.

Dr. Steven E. Sanderson, President and CEO of WCS, said, “The Wildlife Conservation Society is thrilled to partner with UNESCO in bringing this exhibit to the global community at the United Nations. With this work, we tell a story that clearly shows how all species and wild places are connected and why all nations must work together to protect our planet.”

The exhibit features stunning images of pronghorn antelope racing through the Western Plains, Zambian organic cotton farmers tending to their crops, and tigers caught on camera traps set up in the wilds of India. The exhibit emphasizes the importance of uniting to preserve natural and cultural diversity in both familiar and far-flung landscapes. It also portrays the link between environmental conservation and human security, particularly as it relates to the interconnected health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

Representations of the “Human Footprint” map are also on display. Created by scientists using satellite imagery, census data, and computer mapping technology, the Human Footprint depicts our impact on every square kilometer of the Earth. Forest logging, road-building in remote areas, and other factors of human activity account for our influence over 83 percent of the planet. The map encourages viewers to anticipate the consequences of our choices and take steps that shape our future in positive ways.

“Humankind’s heavy footprint has already caused the disappearance of many, many species,” said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “Many more are endangered. This exhibition is a timely reminder not only of the wonders of nature, but of our dependence on the environment. I hope we will all leave here truly inspired to do our part for conservation.”

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