About Us
Finding Species (FS) uses photography and on-the-ground experience to document and protect threatened habitats as well as endangered and poorly studied species. FS uses photos to a) advance science, b) empower conservation campaigns, and c) inform education drives.
Photography as The Solution
In our visual world, photographs are critical to understanding and protecting the planet. For instance, Ansel Adams's photographs created and conserved national parks. And, from its very beginnings, botanists used photography. Yet, many wild areas and their species have never been photographed because of their remoteness.
Our Methods
Our scientific photos uncover a species in all its detail. Each one has unique characters—the fruit from a tree, the toe of a gecko, the wing of a butterfly. Finding Species develops strict methods, reviewed by scientists, for photo-documenting each of these identifying characters. These photos also include the FS SizeChecker—a series of rulers from 1 millimeter to 2 meters with standardized color bars. This set of photos—our Species Profile—enables direct comparisons between species.
FS Photos
FS is also taking a broad range of photographs—such as habitat photos, wildlife portraits, and environmental impact shots—for scientific, educational and conservation purposes. In total, we have a significant library of images. Users may view and download many of our images—for educational and non-commercial purposes only—at U.S. Geological Survey's National Biological Information Infrastructure Digital Image Library.
Our Programs
In addition to GeckoWeb, Finding Species has other scientific, conservation and education programs. For instance, we have been working to protect Yasuní National Park—a world center of biodiversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon. With partners, FS developed a revolutionary field guide, which weaves science, art and culture to illuminate the park's 250 common trees. We've also "brought the park to the people," exhibiting more than 30 poster-size portraits of its charismatic species to tens of thousands of Ecuadorians. And, we've met with dozens of government officials, pressing for the park's conservation. Due, in part, to our advocacy, one of the main threats to the park—a new oil road—has been stopped.
Learn more about our work on our website at www.findingspecies.org.