F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 RAVE P r o p o s a l RAPID ASSESSMENT VISUAL EXPEDITIONS (RAVE) Inspired by Conservation International´s RAP Team, a scientific approach in which a group of very specialized scientists travels to previously un- documented areas to develop a thorough baseline inventory of biodiversity, the RAVE aims to be a visual media equivalent of this concept. RAVE is born as an initiative of the International League of Conserva- tion Photographers (www.ilcp.com). Conceived to address the chal- lenges of modern conservation, RAVE aims to achieve a full visual and media assessment in a short period of time by means of a multi- discipline team that would include several specialized photographers (landscape, wildlife, macro, camera trapping, portraiture), writers and The Image Gap cameramen. Conservation efforts today are We believe the RAVE can make a difference be- not hindered by a lack of sci- cause many of the most delicate and threatened entific evidence, but by our inability to “translate” the regions of our planet, and some of the most chal- relevance of that information lenging conservation issues facing our planet, into messages that make sense have never been documented in a compelling way to policy-makers and the gen- that can help inspire conservation actions. eral public. w w w . I L C P . c o m • 4 3 2 W a l k e r R d • G r e a t F a l l s , V A 2 2 0 6 6 • 7 0 3 7 5 9 5 3 7 0 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 RAVE BACKGROUND In 1963 photographer Eliot Porter published a land- mark book of photography called The Place No One Knew, a visual record of a drowned desert paradise: Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. His pictures came too late, however, to show the public, and Con- gress, what was at stake in the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam -- and what ultimately was lost. Making a difference with photography Examples of imagery that has made a difference: We know that photography can influence government policy. It can be a key tool in educating decision- * ILCP Member Michael K. Nichols coverage for National makers, and the public on the value of wild land and Geographic of the Central African rainforest played a direct role in creating a vital network of protected areas. its biodiversity assets. * ILCP Member Robert Glenn Ketchum’s book on However, in many cases, the traditional model of a the Tongass National Forest had a direct impact in single photographer, working over long periods of shifting US forestry practices in SE Alaska time to document areas of concern, may be too slow to make an immediate difference. We need to show *ILCP Member Patricio Robles Gil had a profound effect on what the stakes are, and in some case, we need to protecting the large wilderness deserts of northern Mexico move quickly. through collaborations with corporations like CEMEX. Our proposal We propose to create small teams of ILCP photographers to be deployed into areas of critical importance to document biodiversity, scenic values, native and local peoples and conservation issues. The RAVE concept could be adapted to projects of varying sizes, from individual protected areas to entire countries, with teams that might range from two to ten or more. Their mission would be similar to that of the RAP (Rapid Assessment Program) pioneered by Conservation In- ternational in the early 1990’s, where professional biologists performed biodiversity assessments to inform con- servation priorities and affect policy. In some cases, these teams could work in tandem with scientists, local NGOs and conservation professionals able to provide access and background information to make the process even more effective. w w w . I L C P . c o m • 4 3 2 W a l k e r R d • G r e a t F a l l s , V A 2 2 0 6 6 • 7 0 3 7 5 9 5 3 7 0 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 RAVE Follow up outdoor exhibits designed to The key to the effectiveness of this reach large numbers of peo- program would be the rapid dis- ple. semination of the images in venues • where they will have the greatest Expedition Website – a large impact. Each RAVE assignment interactive website showcas- should be accompanied by a jour- ing the results of the RAVE nalist or other media representative with video, blogs, photo- and would be followed up with tar- graphs, description of new geted outreach, including: species, etc. • Presentations – illustrated testimony to government entities, where appropriate, as well as public programs. Our Mission • Books – produced quickly Our mission is to further environ- enough to affect policy, and mental and cultural conservation distributed to decision mak- through photography We believe ers and media outlets that awe-inspiring photography is a powerful force for the environ- • Media Campaign – maga- ment, especially when paired with zine articles on the issues to the collaboration of committed reach the widest possible scientists, politicians, religious audience. leaders and policy makers. • Public Exhibits – indoor and SAMPLE TEAMS Insects/Invertebrates Piotr Naskrecki Christian Ziegler Roy Toft Wildlife Nick Nichols Kevin Schafer Pete Oxford Frans Lanting Landscapes Robert Ketchum Art Wolfe Jack Dykinga Plant Diversity Joel Sartore Jim Balog Christian Ziegler People Annie Belt Chris Rainier Phil Borges Cristina Mittermeier Editorial Gary Braasch Niall Benvie Michele Westmorland Underwater Brian Skerry David Doubilet Paul Nicklen w w w . I L C P . c o m • 4 3 2 W a l k e r R d • G r e a t F a l l s , V A 2 2 0 6 6 • 7 0 3 7 5 9 5 3 7 0 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION The missing link Conservation International's (CI) Rapid The CI RAP team has just returned Assessment Program (RAP) deploys expert from an AQUA-RAP to the Bird’s Head scientists to poorly understood regions in order Seascape, off the coast of PNG and Indo- to quickly assess the biological diversity of an nesia, where they discovered a new species area. RAP results are made available immedi- of “walking” shark. Most images of that ately to local and international decision makers expedition were made by amateur photog- to help support conservation action and biodi- raphers. versity protection. CI also did a RAP expedition to the RAP and RAVE Foja Mountains in Wetern New Guinea, where scientist Bruce Beehler discovered a RAP teams survey terrestrial, freshwater, trove of new and “missing” species. The and marine ecosystems throughout biodiversity only images available were those taken by hotspots, high-biodiversity wilderness areas, Dr. Beehler. and key marine regions. The next few months will find RAP Since the first survey in 1990, RAP expeditions in the Sula Sulawesi Seascape, scientists have discovered hundreds of new Madagascar and Indonesia. It would be a plant and animal species, and RAP data wonderful opportunity to conduct RAVE have contributed to the creation of several expeditions to document both the new national parks. RAP also trains host- discoveries and the many threats facing country scientists and NGO staff, building these last few untouched places on Earth local capacity for biodiversity assessment. WHAT CI NEEDS We are certain that by adding high- CI excels at using science for conserva- quality visual element to areas where tion but needs to find a way of creating RAP expeditions take place, we could visually-compelling stories that can help raise media attention by several reach wider audiences. Photography is orders of magnitude. the perfect vehicle. w w w . I L C P . c o m • 4 3 2 W a l k e r R d • G r e a t F a l l s , V A 2 2 0 6 6 • 7 0 3 7 5 9 5 3 7 0 F e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 RAVE El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve The main goal of this expedition is to obtain visual and written materials that will help promote the Why El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Mexico? region to a wider public and allow the conserva- tion community to address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities for conserva- 1. The El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in the Sierra tion that exist in the area. Madre of Chiapas protects one of the last great remaining cloud forests in the hemisphere The photographers of the International League of and it is reported to have a greater diversity Conservation Photographers has international prestige of tree species than most forests in North and and has direct access to a solid network of editors and pub- Central America. lishers that can guarantee international diffusion of the conservation stories that are taking place in 2. It is part of the Mesoamerican Hotspot. It El Triunfo. contains by itself 24% of the animal species registered for Mexico and it is a key region RAVE expeditions can guarantee: for migratory birds 1- The highest ethical standards applied to the acquisition of the images; 3. In the high parts of the mountain range, the 2- The highest quality images in every discipline dense cloud forests provided shelter to the with different views and angles from each elusive horned guan (Oreophasis derbianus) photographer; and one of the last remaining populations of 3- Great added value from the crew of writers; resplendent quetzals (Pharomachrus mo- 4- Flexibility and fast response; cinno) 5- Easily replicable in different regions.