The Nature Conservancy
Photos taken in Texas, Louisiana, and California for a multimedia campaign focused on the impact of climate change in the U.S. The images feature coastal communities and landscapes where The Nature Conservancy is taking measures to reduce the impact of natural disasters on the places people work and live.
Clarence Dwyer has been a welder for fifty years. Dwyer helped build the oyster reef structures that The Nature Conservancy is placing in the Gulf to reduce coastal erosion. When asked about the disappearing coast, Dwyer said, "It's really disheartening to me. I want to be here, I want [Grand Isle] to stay here. I want to be able to collect the fruits of my labors. I don't want the storms to take it away, or the Gulf to wash it away."
Noel Camardelle is a lifelong resident of Grand Isle, Louisiana. He's holding a before and after picture of his father's home in Grande Isle that was struck by a hurricane. "As long as we don't get knocked down totally," said Camardelle, "as long as we can come back and have a place, and we can rebuild it, we're going to be here for the long haul."
Amy Smith Kyle, Coastal Conservation Project Manager. Grand Isle, Louisiana
A view of a marsh off the side of the highway near Grand Isle, Louisiana.
A local resident of Grand Isle, Louisiana holds up a frozen boar head.
Farmland and laborers near the Santa Clara River in Ventura, California.
E.J. Remson. Ventura, California
The Santa Clara River in Ventura, California.
Sanger “Sandy” Hedrick has been a farmer for over 50 years in Ventura, California. He is the founder of the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area, a 260-acre preserve now owned by the Friends of the Santa Clara River. They are working to restore the land to its native state.
An orange grove in Ventura, California near the Santa Clara River.
Sergio Vargas is an engineer for the Ventura County Watershed Protection District. This district provides control and conservation of flood and storm waters and protection of communities in the district from damage or destruction from these waters. The Nature Conservancy collaborates with Vargas in their efforts in Ventura, California.
Walter Fuller, the “Bird Protector,” does his early morning rounds to count the different species of birds he sees at Ormond Beach, California. Fuller has been a birdwatcher for over 35 years, and keeps a meticulous record of bird activity on the beach. He volunteers for The Nature Conservancy and acts as a watchdog to protect the area and keep track of the bird population.
Sarah Newkirk, Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience Initiative. Ventura, California
Buddy Janca was hired by The Nature Conservancy to help work on coastal and prairie restoration projects at the Texas City Preserve.
Homes on Port Bolivar, Texas.
A family walking along the beach in Galveston, Texas. The shadow to their left is made from the concrete seawall, put in place as a barrier against hurricanes.
A family feeds a flock of seagulls at the Texas City Dyke. The dyke was heavily damaged in 2008 by Hurricane Ike, but was rebuilt and reopened in 2010. Its main purpose is to prevent severe flooding of Texas City communities during a hurricane.