Upper School science program highlights art in the work of wildlife conservation
Students heard from conservationists and artists on how art influences conservation work.
On Monday, October 1, the Upper School Science Department hosted a program for students that highlighted the importance of art in the work of wildlife conservation. Special guests Mr. Broderick Crawford, Mr. John Lee Thomson, and Dr. Chris Jenkins were in attendance to present. Upper School Biology teacher Ms. Amy Jenkins hosted the event in the Student Commons.
The program held on Monday is part of a greater effort to bring awareness to the Southeast Wildlife Expo (SEWE). The SEWE is an annual art and wildlife conservation event in Charleston, SC that takes place every February. This year, they had an education and outreach initiative and encouraged artists and those in conservation and science to connect with schools to promote wildlife conservation. The event on Monday was prompted by this initiative.
The program held on Monday is part of a greater effort to bring awareness to the Southeast Wildlife Expo (SEWE). The SEWE is an annual art and wildlife conservation event in Charleston, SC that takes place every February. This year, they had an education and outreach initiative and encouraged artists and those in conservation and science to connect with schools to promote wildlife conservation. The event on Monday was prompted by this initiative.
Mr. Broderick Crawford is a self-taught artist based out of Clayton, GA. He owns the Crawford Art Gallery in downtown Clayton. Mr. Crawford, who from a young age wanted to be a wildlife artist, started as a full time artist in 2007 and now sells and competes on a national level. He is especially known in the conservation world for designing the Georgia Trout Unlimited tag; all proceeds from this tag go directly back to Georgia fisheries. Mr. Crawford shared different pieces of art that have been used in conservation efforts around the U.S.
Mr. John Lee Thomson works for the Department of Natural Resources and is the Hatchery Manager and Trout Stocking Coordinator for the State of Georgia. He shared about the Georgia Trout Program and how the Georgia Trout Unlimited tag has changed the way the program is funded. Mr. Thomson’s job is to ensure that there are 1,000,000 catchable trout in Georgia every year. The program not only raises fish in hatcheries, but also supports wild trout, maintaining and working to conserve thousands of miles of trout streams in Georgia. He shared that the funds from tag sales has greatly increased their resources and improved their efforts in trout conservation and that they could never do what they are doing now without the funding from the tag. One such resource is the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, which was built in the 1940’s and is scheduled for a renovation, thanks in part to money raised through the tag. After the program was over, he was able to show students one of the trucks they use to transport trout all over Georgia, a truck that was paid for with tag dollars.
Dr. Chris Jenkins, CEO of the Orianne Society, shared about how art and media influence this organization’s efforts. The Orianne Society, headquartered in Rabun County, is the world’s leading reptile conservation group. They are global in scope but have a strong focus in North America, specifically the Southeast. The Orianne Society focuses on non-game species, especially those that would be considered “creepy crawlies”, like snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders. He shared the Society’s three North American Initiatives: the Long Leaf Savannah Initiative, where they are working toward protecting the Gopher Tortoise through land acquisition and land management; the Appalachian Highlands Initiative, where they are working to preserve and protect Hellbenders, which are the third largest salamanders in the world and local to the Rabun Gap campus in Betty’s Creek; and the Great Northern Forest Initiative, based out of Vermont, which is aimed at the preservation of the endangered Wood Turtle. Dr. Jenkins showed several high-quality pictures and a preview for a documentary on the Wood Turtle.
“Art is important to us because we want to communicate what we do in a very professional way,” said Dr. Jenkins.
The students had the opportunity to see some of the live creatures the Orianne Society protects, including a Gopher Tortoise and an endangered Pine Snake.
"The presentation highlighted the ability for art and science to complement one another in efforts to conserve wildlife and other natural resources. We were joined by three professionals from very different career paths, but who all share a love for wildlife. It was a great opportunity for students to see that there are many ways to incorporate their passions into their careers," said Ms. Jenkins.
"The presentation highlighted the ability for art and science to complement one another in efforts to conserve wildlife and other natural resources. We were joined by three professionals from very different career paths, but who all share a love for wildlife. It was a great opportunity for students to see that there are many ways to incorporate their passions into their careers," said Ms. Jenkins.
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.
