Conservation

"  Humanity needs wildlife and balanced ecosystems for survival, but there's something else. We need the all-encompassing beautiful energy of animals that feeds our souls and gives us a reason to live. Animals teach us resilience and how to live in perfect harmony. More importantly, they show us how to be a part of something; to love, connect, and to be in the present moment. These are the values we can draw on to heal our planet and unite us as a global heart-centred community.  "

Geraldine supports several animal welfare and environmental organizations through the donations of her art. Closest to her heart is Friends of the National Parks Foundation (http://www.fnpf.org) in Borneo, Indonesia, which focuses on the conservation of orangutans and other Indonesian wildlife. When FNPF worked on rescuing and rehabilitating orangutans, Geraldine had the exciting opportunity to visit the rehabilitation centre. That experience became the catalyst for her mission to raise funds and awareness for endangered wildlife.

Stirred by this life-changing trip, Geraldine founded the “Riding for Rangas” annual charity bike ride in 2009 (biennially since 2013) to raise funds and awareness for FNPF. Riders sponsor to complete the challenging 300km distance in two days.

Geraldine has accepted many invitations to donate her works to significant animal conservation groups and campaigns such as Humane Society International, Save Elephant Foundation, ENDANGERED Art4Apes Fine Art and Photography exhibition, Sketch for Survival in conjunction with Explorers Against Extinction, Sea Shepherd, Silvery Gibbon Art Auction and Borneo Orangutan Society.

Geraldine sold her baby elephant painting "Baby Steps" at Northern Beaches Gallery in Cromer, NSW, in support of Save Elephant Foundation in conjunction with the documentary "Elephant Mother" touring Australia and New Zealand. The painting sold on 7th September 2023 for well over the asking price, where 100% of proceeds went to Save Elephant Foundation. Save Elephant Foundation, founded by acclaimed Lek Chailert, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing care and assistance to Thailand's elephant population. 

 

 

Conservation Projects & Causes

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> "Animal" art exhibition in support of Save Elephant Foundation - In Conjunction with "Elephant Mother" documentary film tour | Geraldine Simmons

"Animal" art exhibition in support of Save Elephant Foundation

Save Elephant Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing care and assistance to Thailand's elephant population. Acclaimed founder and animal welfare activist Saengduean Lek Chailert is touring Australia and then New Zealand to raise awareness of her work through her documentary "Elephant Mother."        

 

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> DSWF Sketch for Wildlife - Sketch for Wildlife Postcard Campaign | Geraldine Simmons

DSWF Sketch for Wildlife

The annual Sketch for Wildlife Postcard campaign is an initiative of the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year to raise further funds for DSWF. All finalists are asked to paint or draw a small image on a blank postcard (A6 size, 10 x 15cm) donated to DSWF to sell as part of the DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year 2023 exhibition showcased alongside the main shortlisted works at the Mall Galleries in London.
 
Postcards will sell for the same £60 flat rate to be accessible to a wide range of audiences. 

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Australia's bushfire emergency 2020 - Facebook art auction for the Koala Hospital - Port Macquarie  | Geraldine Simmons

Australia's bushfire emergency 2020

Bushfire emergency ART AUCTION on Geraldine's Wildlife Art via Facebook for the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, NSW.

Original artwork in coloured pencil on paper titled Afternoon Snooze. The size of the artwork is 42cm x 34cm.

 I am happy to announce the artwork sold, raising $400 AUD.

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Sketch for Survival 2018 - In Collaboration with Explorers Against Extinction | Geraldine Simmons

Sketch for Survival 2018

Sketch for Survival is an art initiative. It was inspired by a shocking statistic – on average, one elephant is poached in the wild every 26 minutes. The purpose of the initiative is to highlight the plight of elephants and other iconic species and invited professional artists and celebrity supporters help by donating a simple 26-minute wildlife sketch to the  touring exhibition.

I was delighted and felt so privileged to be invited to participate once again in Sketch for Survival 2018 art initiative comprising 100+ artworks, including sketches, studio artworks, illustrations and...

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Wildlife Asia Roar Arts Event 2017 - Saving Species Through Art  | Geraldine Simmons

Wildlife Asia Roar Arts Event 2017

In Wildlife Asia Roar Event for 2017 the focus is to highlight the Leuser ecosystem, specifically the Sumatran elephant population. Artworks on offer will be available for viewing from November 2nd at Kidigo Art House, Bathers Beach, Fremantle, Western Australia with live art creations and an auction of selected works on November 9 run by Art Auctioneer John Cook.

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Sketch for Survival  - Wildlife Artists Supporting Conservation | Geraldine Simmons

Sketch for Survival 2017

Over 100 pieces of artwork, both professional works donated by leading wildlife artists as well as sketches from celebrity supporters will be framed or mounted and exhibited online, as well as being displayed at the Royal Geographical Society in London, UK during the Explorers against Extinction event on the evening of 12 October 2017.

The evening will be introduced by Sir Ranulph Fienees OBE with Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE who will be joined by other explorers and adventurers as they talk of their travels and encounters with endangered wildlife.  Sketch for Survival will kick...

<em>Edit Conservation Project/Cause</em> Riding for Rangas  - An on-going bi-ennual charity bike ride that raises funds and awareness for non-profit organisation Friends of the National Parks Foundation based in Indonesia | Geraldine Simmons

Riding for Rangas

In 2005 when I visited Borneo, I saw firsthand the destruction caused by the planting of palm oil plantations that threaten local plant and animal species such as orangutans. Inspired and deeply moved by this trip I put my love of bike riding to  good use by founding charity bike ride Riding for Rangas.  Riding for Rangas has raised thousands of dollars assisting Friends of the National Parks Foundation fight for the survival of orangutans through restoring habitat and relocating dozens to safety from the palm oil plantations to Tanjung Puting National Park and Lamandau River Wildlife...