Art For Conservation

The Legacy Institute for Nature and Culture (LINC) Rebranded

A View From the Other Side of the Lens

A captivating photograph often leaves the viewer with many questions. Do you ever wonder at the inspiration for a photograph? Ever contemplate the intention behind long hours in the wilds, waiting for the right light? What would those voices say about each photograph and the areas in which they spend so much time?

Why?

One of the core foci of this project was to advocate for the protection of the Missing Links in the Corridor.

These “Missing Links” are built on a foundation of wildlife corridor work in Florida over two decades, and follow the map of the Florida Ecological Greenways Network (FEGN). In the early 2000s the FEGN identified those corridors considered most important for providing habitat for wide-ranging species like the Florida panther and Florida black bear.

Critical Linkages

The FEGN’s highest priorities, named “Critical Linkages”, identify the best remaining opportunities to functionally connect major existing public and private conservation lands across the state. Once protected, the Critical Linkages would connect all of Florida’s largest existing conservation lands into one functional statewide ecological network.

What?

In 2013, the Legacy Institute for Nature and Culture (LINC) — now part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor — commissioned prominent conservation photographers to capture images of priority lands that remained unprotected to help raise awareness about their importance.

As a result, 15 Florida Forever projects are showcased via photographs, parcel descriptions and the blog series A View From the Other Side of the Lens. Each photographer was assigned a different geographic area within the Corridor. Here are their stories.