By Connor Ernst University of Nebraska-Lincoln National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore hopes his renowned Photo Ark project is the beginning of a "sea change" in how young people view and take care of the earth. “In the next 20 years or so, the young people of the world must rise up to save the species and habitats that are left or it will be game over for many animals and wild places. We need a 'sea change' in how we view our relationship with nature in order to show it the respect it deserves,” says award-winning photographer Sartore, 55. “Let's hope the Photo Ark is just the beginning of that.” Photo Ark is a project Sartore has worked on for the last 25 years, and its purpose is an expression of nature by highlighting the lives of animals in danger of extinction. Sartore's mission is to inspire his readers and get them to be mindful, aware and passionate about nature and the increasing speed of extinction. Equality is something he believes in, and he tries to express that in his work.
“I think all animals, great and small, have a basic right to exist. They're all exquisite in their own way, each a true work of art,” he said in an interview. He wants the world to remember that it’s these animals that are key to survival on earth. For example, bees pollinate the fruits and vegetables we eat. Getting close to these wild animals isn’t always easy and is one of the most stressful aspects of the job. “(We make sure) we do these shoots safely, efficiently and with minimal stress on any animal or ourselves,” Sartore said. Although Sartore works in close quarters with a lot of dangerous animals, he's not usually scared. “The risk to me is very minimal. Most animals are more afraid of humans than the other way around, and for good reason: We greatly outnumber the majority of them now," he said. Sartore travels the world including Alaska and Antartica, which are among his favorites, but his home in Lincoln with his wife and three children is his favorite place to be. “It sounds cliche, but I really love coming home. I've been gone so much over the years that really I just want to finish each shoot and get back to my family,” he said. “My favorite part of the Job is dinner at day's end, when the work is done and all has gone well.” Sartore's curiosity and passion for nature began at a young age. "I had great parents who cared about the natural world. My father took my brother and I fishing and hunting every chance he could get. My mother loved her suburban flowers and backyard birds. Between the two, I learned how important it is to take good care of nature in order to preserve it," he said. Sartore began his career as a photographer when he was in college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He wanted to pursue something that wasn’t about math or chemistry and with a curious mind, journalism seemed like just the right major. Sartore has also photographed for Sports Illustrated and Newsweek and worked on critically acclaimed documentaries. Students all over the world study Sartore's photographs. “It's a good start,” he said. His mission is to inspire others to preserve and take care of the planet. He hopes that with students studying his work that mission can be accomplished.
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