Celebrating biodiversity, or the variety of life around us
If you were to boil our work down to one word, it might be this: life.
Photo by Rob Tolley
From toadlets resting on a desert pond like bubbles to elk bedded in long mountain shadows, the life around us is what colors our existence. Sure, plants, animals, insects, and landscapes sustain our own lives with what we need. But there is a deeper hum drawing humans to places and beings so different from us.
As Earth Day approaches, we reflect on the many lives and places that constitute the reason we do what we do. The fabric we are woven into provides us with beauty, joy, and life. We believe that future generations deserve to experience this wild diversity of existence, and that life itself deserves to continue.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate biodiversity, or the variety of life around us.
Submit your work exploring biodiversity in the West
Photo by Janice Gardner
What: During April—which is both Earth Month and Poetry Month—we're reflecting on the variety of life around us. We're celebrating the lands, lives, and communities that create the rich tapestry of life in the West.
How: To join, learn about western biodiversity, join one of our projects, or engage with plants, places, or the life around you in some way. Then, submit something that reflects the landscapes and wildlife in the West that you love most. You can submit poetry, visual art, music, film, dance, photography, or another type of work. Submissions are due April 30, 2022. If you have trouble submitting or have questions, please contact us.
Who: Anyone can submit. Whether you’ve practiced art all your life or this is your first attempt, we want to hear from you. All submissions are welcome.
Why: Our hope is to celebrate and connect with what’s around us. We’ll be selecting a few pieces to specifically honor with awards, but we’ll share and honor as many as we can on our social media, emails, website, and other communications.