Dear Nature First Members,

Tuesday, April 22 is Earth Day—a time when millions of people around the globe pause to recognize something we too often take for granted: the incredible natural world we’re part of. It’s also a day of action, when communities come together to speak out, raise awareness, and educate others about our deep connection to nature—and our responsibility to protect it. This is important to us as nature photographers, because we witness firsthand the fragility and beauty of our planet. We understand the challenges facing the natural world perhaps more intimately than most, and we are passionate advocates for its care and preservation.

This Earth Day also marks the sixth anniversary of Nature First. Its values and Principles are more relevant than ever—reminding us not only how to treat the natural world with respect, but also how we can be ambassadors for it. In this newsletter, we’re invited to reflect on how our photography can serve as a tool for conservation, we're reminded of ways that the principles apply as summer returns to the northern hemisphere, and how we can join others across the globe in supporting this year’s Earth Day theme: “Our Power, Our Planet.”

Remembering Our Commitment

Nature photography has grown enormously in popularity—and with that comes increased pressure on fragile ecosystems. A single careless step can crush a nesting bird’s eggs, startle a newborn elk calf, or destroy delicate wildflowers. That’s why the Nature First Principles are more important than ever. They offer a practical, respectful framework for photographers to minimize their impact while still telling the stories of the land. Before your next outing, take a moment to recommit to these principles—and help ensure the places we love remain wild and thriving for generations to come.

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Our Power, Our Planet: A Nature Photographer's Perspective

This Earth Day, with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet” we’re reminded that energy is not just a technological issue. It’s a deeply environmental one. And the shift to renewable energy is more than just an abstract strategy to cut carbon emissions. It’s about reclaiming the power to choose a different future  — one where ecosystems are preserved (not sacrificed in the name of energy production), and nature and technology move forward together, not in conflict.

As someone who photographs wild places, I see the potential of renewable energy not just as a solution to climate change — but as a tangible way to help keep our natural ecosystems intact.

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Guardians of the Wild: A Call to Nature Photographers

In the United States and around the world, the places we love are facing increasing risk. Public lands are being opened to extraction and development. Protections for endangered species are being weakened or ignored. Climate policies are being reversed or stripped of funding. And the cumulative effect is accelerating—shrinking habitat, rising temperatures, and biodiversity loss at a pace far beyond what many of us imagined we’d witness in our lifetime.

In the U.S., the current administration’s approach to environmental stewardship has been concerning. While some agencies and leaders continue to advocate for conservation, many decisions have favored short-term economic gains over long-term ecological stability.

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Thank you for your commitment to Nature First! 

We encourage you to join the celebration by creating a social media post and share what Earth Day and Nature First mean to you. Simply use the hashtags #earthday and #naturefirst to share your post with our community. It's a great way for us to learn from each other and continue to spread the word about using nature photography for the good of our natural world.

Thank you all for the important part you play in caring for and promoting the well-being of our amazing planet. Together we can make a difference.

Nature First Board