“Tortoises Through The Lens” Student Project
“Tortoises Through The Lens” is a community project designed to provide opportunities for students to learn how photography can be used as a tool for change. Students’ photos will be made into a photo book and all proceeds will go toward desert tortoise conservation efforts. Studnets will have classroom and hands-on training with a professional photographer and will learn how photography can shape ideas and bring awareness to issues as well as how to compose impactful photos. Students will also have classroom time to learn about desert tortoise ecolgy, why they are threatened, their importance to the Mojave Desert, and what can be done to protect them. Field trips will be arranged with naturalists who will lead students into local natural areas for photo opportunities of the desert tortoise and to utilize photo skills leaned in the classroom. Students will participate in the design of the book. Students will receive credit for their photos and a short bio of each student will be featured. All training and equipment will be provided to students participating.
Twelve students will be selected to participate in the project. Selection criteria will be based on application, art submission, commitment to and understanding of project goals, and the student’s willingness to participate and learn how photography can shape perception.
Applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2009 to be considered. Applications postmarked after this date will be rejected. Artistic submissions will not be returned.
To download an application, click here:tortoise-program-student-application.pdf
David Lamfrom, Project Director, is one of only 40 people selected from competitors nationwide for the “TogetherGreen” Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society with support from Toyota. David is a California Desert Field Representative for the National Parks Conservation Association, and has been involved in conservation efforts for seven years. For more information, you may call David Lamfrom at (760) 219-4916, or email: D.Lamfrom@gmail.com