WildArt POTY - Encouraging the next generation of conservationists

When I sat down to design the WildArt POTY competition, the first heading I wrote on the page was ‘conservation aims’. Raising money through entry fees and book sales is an important element of helping conservation causes of course, and you will have seen the list of organisations WildArt is supporting in this manner, but there are other ways the competition can support conservation efforts too. 

Encouraging the next generation of conservationists and wildlife photographers is one of WildArt POTY’s main aims. ©Rob Read.

One of these is the encouragement of the younger generation and their engagement with the natural world. Over the last couple of years, we have seen how influential young people can be in galvanising a whole movement; just ask Greta Thunberg. The younger generation are the future custodians of our world and its fate lies in their hands. It is our duty to ensure that we prepare these guardians properly and arm them with the weapons to fight the cause effectively to protect what remains. 

That’s why I was delighted when Swarovski kindly offered to support the WildArt Young Photographer of the Year award through a prize donation. The provision of the binocular prize for the winner allows WildArt to pledge additional entry fee income to conservation. In partnership with Swarovski Optik, WildArt will be establishing a separate conservation fund with all the entry proceeds (less bank charges) generated through the WildArt Young POTY category entries.  

The amount we raise will of course be dependent on the number of entries we receive in this area of the competition, but even a modest fund could have a substantial impact on grassroots conservation efforts. 

We will be giving the winner of the WildArt Young Photographer of the Year Award the opportunity to choose a conservation cause that they would like to support with the money. Not only that, but the winner will also be given the opportunity to post a photo story charting the progress of the cause and how the donation is utilised.  

In an increasingly instant and visual world, photography is becoming a more powerful and influential conservation tool. If we can use it to raise both money and awareness for conservation causes, while helping develop the interests and potentially the careers of the younger audience, then that has to be a worthwhile thing. 

I love photography and I am really excited to see what the young entrants have to offer. Free of all preconceived conventions, they often produce some outstanding work that may of us of an older generation wouldn’t conceive. 

Best of luck to all our young entrants.

Rob Read. December 2020.