Erik Stensland

Especially on Earth Day, it’s vital for nature photographers to pause and reflect on our responsibility to the places we photograph.

Especially on Earth Day, it’s vital for nature photographers to pause and reflect on our responsibility to the places we photograph.

Here in Colorado the snow has been coming down, coloring the world a dozen shades of white. Many of the wild creatures have gone into hibernation or traveled south for the winter, while a few of the hardier animals can be seen making their way through the deep snow in search of nourishment. Though the weather is at times harsh, this is also a time of great beauty.

Occasionally we get questions from people wondering whether there is any real reason for them to sign up. So today, we’re going to try and answer some of these questions and address the reasons that keep people from joining. I hope you find this helpful.

You may be wondering why Nature First is mentioning this conference. We don’t typically advertise conferences, but we’ve chosen to sponsor this one to help get the word out about Nature First to a global audience.

We here at Nature First are thankful for a new year and the anticipation of a gradual return to the life we once had. We are also very thankful for all of you who are part of this important movement.

Golden aspen leaves, bugling elk and the first snowfalls are all part of autumn here in Colorado. It’s a busy season for landscape photographers in this part of the world. I recently visited a beautiful valley in southwestern Colorado and everywhere you looked there were photographers with their tripods. In so many of the conversations I had, Nature First was a topic of discussion. Photographers are paying more attention to reducing their impact.

Soon after we launched the Nature First movement, we started hearing stories about the irresponsible behavior of some nature photographers. Of course, these stories and their impact were the genesis of Nature First and the 7 Principles. But then, members started asking, “What will the Nature First organization do when they learn about irresponsible behavior?”

This area six miles back from the trailhead had been trampled by far too many feet. But why had they been to this remote location? How did they even know about it? It then dawned on me, causing me to feel almost ill: I had published numerous photos of this area, shared the location online, and then told everyone who asked where this area could be found. The flowers were gone because of me. Unwittingly I had helped to destroy one of the most beautiful fields of flowers to be found in Rocky Mountain National Park.