Banff Mountain Book Festival 2006

Thursday , November 2, 3:00 – 4:10 p.m.

Max Bell Auditorium

Florian Schulz — Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam

An acclaimed German photographer, Florian Schulz is passionate about protecting the natural world. His journeys have taken him through Africa and throughout North America — from the Arctic Ocean to the Yucatan Peninsula in southern Mexico — seeking unique subjects, angles, and light.

Schulz devoted three years of his life to photographing the Yellowstone to Yukon eco-region, a place he calls “North America’s Wild Heart” and the site of one of the continent’s largest conservation efforts. His recent book, Yellowstone to Yukon: Freedom to Roam (The Mountaineers Books, 2005) is a collection of beautiful images supporting and inspiring advocacy on the importance of the Y2Y corridor.

During his Festival presentation, Schulz will share how he was able to pursue a conservation photography project of this scope, while surviving, both in the wild and in economic terms. Schulz has been recognized for his outstanding work and has received numerous awards at competitions including BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Nature’s Best International Photography Awards, European Nature Photographer of the Year, and the 2004 Banff Mountain Photography Competition. Schulz also received a 2004 Banff Mountain Grant for Yellowstone to Yukon.

Florian’s presentation of his stunning photographs of the wildlife and people of Y2Y is tremendously inspiring. He is a living illustration of the central role the arts must play in achieving conservation goals. His personal story, commitment, and deep knowledge of this largest North American conservation initiative made this evening one of the university’s best events of the year.

— Professor David Secord, director,
University of Washington Program on the Environment

Of tireless stamina and creativity, Florian Schulz is a young photographer who will certainly rise like a shooting star. His passion and concern for the subjects he photographs come through in every image…. His photographic talent and his high ethical photographic standards, combined with a sincere conservation purpose have earned him a position in the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers.

— Cristina Mittermeier, acting director,
International League of Conservation Photographers