Conservation

"You often hear artists speak of the “beauty” of nature.  I find it interesting that a synonym for beauty is lovely; the suffix “ly” meaning “having the nature or qualities of” love.  It is a recognition of the interconnected reality here on earth of everything between the sun’s rays and the earth’s core.  It’s that interconnectedness that creates beauty and which makes planet earth an extraordinarily rare entity in the universe, with its dazzling display of colors, ordered patterns and widely diverse life forms. It is this preciously beautiful (and oftentimes fragile) connectedness, which we must both cherish and secure. "

Having embraced a more “retired” rhythm, I now spend over half the year in my cabin bordering Rocky Mountain National Park. I volunteer a couple of days each week, assisting with visitor information, outdoor education programs, and ranger-led snowshoeing.

I’m especially drawn to the ongoing restoration of the Kawuneeche Valley wetlands on the park’s west side and make myself available whenever I can to help with willow plantings and related work.

With the recent opening of my small gallery on the Grand Lake boardwalk—dedicated to conservation—I’m increasing my presence in the community. I hope to deepen that involvement and help draw more attention to the important work of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy in support of the park’s mission. Every work sold through the gallery results in a minimum of 10% donation to support conservation efforts in The Grand Lake area. I find it difficult to credibly call myself a wildlife artist without continually supporting the natural world that inspires me.

Like all AFC signature members, I donate a percentage of every wildlife artwork sale to conservation causes. Some of the causes I have created artwork for include:

  • The Endangered Wolf Center
  • The Missouri Prairie Foundation
  • The Trumpeter Swan Society
  • Operation Migration
  • The Goualougo Triangle Ape Project
  • The Great Rivers Habitat Alliance
  • Chesapeake Bay Conservation Causes
  • The St. Louis Zoo Wildcare Institute

Among many others.

    

Conservation Projects & Causes

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Red Wolf Education and Recovery - Commemorative Poster To Raise Awareness About Red Wolves | Rob Dreyer

Red Wolf Education and Recovery (Campaign Completed)

The Endangered Wolf Center's educators will be heading to the Ozark mountain region of Missouri and Arkansas to increase public awareness about red wolves and their essential role in keeping the ecosystems across the Southeast healthy and thriving. Awareness is the first step in protecting the current wild population and helping to expand the benefits of this species to other areas throughout its native range. We’ll also be using this opportunity to assess and measure perceptions of wolves and carnivores, and evaluate the effectiveness of education on reducing negative misconceptions....

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