Positive connections in conservation expressed through art

Abstract

The mainstream perception of humans and nature is generally negative, grabbing the attention of audiences around the world and cementing the idea that humans are not a part of nature. However, this is a limited perception as people do have positive relationships with nature and have acted on conservation issues. Highlighting and recognizing "positivity" in the relationship between humans and nature can bring about many benefits such as providing people with more motivation to act, healthier lives, and becoming more productive when working on such issues. Through the use of artwork, feelings are invoked in audiences outside of those within conservation management through the use of composition, color, and movement within the art. Using the themes of exploration and discovery, nature in media, inventions inspired by nature, animals and humans working together, nature for human well-being, and conservation success stories, there are many examples of humans and nature having positive connections. Using the drawing app IbisPaintX I developed artwork to represent these themes and connect research and artistry into a final product. This project aims to highlight the areas where people have positive relationships with nature, even in small ways, through an artistic lens to inspire greater levels of care and concern for natural environments to ignite conservation action that can benefit both people and nature.