Interview with Christina Mittermeier of the iLCP

by Jeff Krase

Great Bear Rainforest RAVE Copyright A.S. Wright

Recently, there was an opportunity to talk with Cristina Mittermeier, the President of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP), about their recent activities working to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest and at the same time gain a better insight into the operations of the iLCP in general.

Can you tell us a little about how the iLCP is run?

CM: The iLCP is a non-for profit organization. We are based in Crystal City, VA and have a staff of 7 people. We raise money for projects that use photography to advance conservation goals and we engage photographers from around the world in these projects.

What are your roles in the organization as President and Photographer?

CM: As President I am in charge of providing the vision and strategy for the organization. I also do most of the fund raising and oversee office operations. As one of the Fellows, I participate in RAVE expeditions (Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition), photographic exhibits, lectures etc. In addition, like all other iLCP photographers, I have my own photographic project

s, which center around the struggles of indigenous people in conservation efforts.

First Nations of the GBR (C) Christina Mittermeier

 How did you get involved and how long have you been working with the iLCP?

CM: The ILCP was my idea. Along with 40+ other photographers, we created it in 2005 and I have been in the leadership of the organization ever since.

How long does it take to organize a RAVE, and what efforts are made in preparation?

CM: It usually takes about 6 months to understand the issues, prepare the logistics, raise the funds and position the partners,

(C) Jack Dykinga iLCP

 photographers and media assets. The follow up is usually ongoing.

What is special about the Great Bear Rainforest RAVE?

CM: In addition to being a spectacular place, the RAVE was requested by the local indigenous people who see their livelihood threatened by an oil pipeline. The other element that is new for us, is we hired a media expert to help coordinate the media and that yielded amazing results.

What work has been done, and what work is left to be done, for the GBR RAVE?

(C)Ian McAllister iLCP

 CM: We are still engaged in a large media campaign. This week the RAVE appeared in ABC’s Nightline and next week it will be in World News. It has been featured in every major news  outlet in British Columbia and there will be a story on the Spirit Bears in National Geographic Magazine.  We are basically trying to create enough media coverage to shift the political winds on this project.

What do you see as the role of the professional nature photographer where conservation is concerned?

CM: First and foremost as a witness, but increasingly also as an activist. Images have always been used to help protect nature and now, more than ever, we need photographers to inform and inspire, especially on local issues.

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia (Canada). September 7, 2010. © Daniel Beltra, iLCP

How do the problems faced by the Great Bear Rainforest affect people outside of British Columbia?

CM: The Northern Gateway pipeline that is being proposed for this region will be transporting crude oil from the Alberta TarSands, 1500 miles away. The Tar Sands are the most toxic and water intensive oil extraction project in the world and the industrial footprint of this project already affects hundreds of thousands of people in Alberta and along the pipelines that transport the oil.  Polluted water, oil leaks and poisonous chemicals all play a role.

(C)Ian McAllister iLCP

Are there specific actions you need from people outside of the iLCP with regard to the Great Bear Rainforest?

CM: Write to the government of British Columbia and tell them we don’t need a pipeline to go across one of the most pristine coastlines in the world. We have learned enough about the dangers of oil extraction this past summer in the Gulf of Mexico and we don’t need any more oil projects in places that are critical for other reasons, like food security.

Are there any areas where you have been that are especially well preserved? Also, what areas would you say need special attention?

(C)Ian McAllister iLCP

CM: The Amazon was largely untouched until recently but a recent approval of a large dam (the third largest dam in the world) is spelling the beginning of the end for this vast wilderness. Dams have no place in areas like the Amazon, which are critically important for other reasons, like carbon secuestration and other ecosystem services.

Do you have any advice for aspiring members of the iLCP?

CM: Work on local conservation issues and dedicate a significant body of work to these issues. Being one of the thousands of nature photographers that simply focuses on going down the list of desirable images: bears, wolves, eagles, elephants, etc without focusing on story telling for conservation is not the way.

Is there anything else that you’d like to say to people who might be reading this?

CM: Photography is an amazingly powerful tool when paired with science and common sense. We can all play an important role in making sure the places and species we care about are represented in the global debate in an accurate, compelling way.

Thank you to Cristina for her time and words, and thank you for reading! Again, if you would like more information on the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) or on their recent activities, please visit their site here: http://www.ilcp.com/ and for the Great Bear Rave specifically: http://www.ilcp.com/?cid=274.

Jeff Krase is a nature photographer and his website is Greener World Photography.