About us
Creature Conserve, Inc is a 501(c)(3) based in Rhode Island
Why we exist: Wildlife populations are declining around the world because of human impacts. We are all part of this problem, yet too few of us are part of the solution. We strive to take a more inviting and inclusive approach to wildlife conservation, open to diverse perspectives from the arts, humanities, sciences, traditional ecological knowledge, and beyond.
Jessie Knirsch, Less Fencing, More Migrating, Oil, acrylic, marker, pen, pencil on canvas paper
Who we are: We are growing a creative community that combines art with science to cultivate new pathways for wildlife conservation.
What we do: We bring together artists, designers, writers, and experts with scientific and traditional knowledge in a supportive, welcoming space to learn about threats to wildlife, share empathy for animals, exchange ideas, and find opportunities for growth at the intersection of art, science, and conservation. Our participant programs take place in person and online and include:
Our support programs feature the works made by our program participants and offer opportunities for everyone in our creative community to connect with each other; they include Media and Network Growth.
How we work: We accomplish our mission by supporting creatives as they take bold new steps to explore the collaborative art-sci process. Creative works tap into our emotions and our subconscious and make the scientific and traditional knowledge we use to make decisions more accessible, meaningful, and real.
Please see our Alumni Page for examples.
We offer participants - artists, designers, writers, and experts with scientific and traditional knowledge of wildlife conservation - the opportunity to meet in small groups and hold generative conversations (mentorship, workshops), gain practice curating and hosting exhibitions, online and in person (curatorial programs); and, compete for financial support (scholarships.) Participants learn from each other, create and innovate together, develop new skills, and use their combined talents to reach a wider audience and improve outcomes.
We offer supporters the opportunity to hear, read, and see the works of art and writing created by program participants (media); connect with these individuals directly through exhibitions, podcasts, performances, social media, and websites (network growth); and, support their work by purchasing art, books, and tickets, and by donating to their art-sci projects.
Who we serve: Our organization serves two audiences: program participants and members of the general public who support our work. We welcome people at all skill levels, from all backgrounds, and in all countries.
Why work with us: We invite participants and supporters to try something new: join our creative community, use our media platforms and networking tools to connect with like-minded individuals, find inspiration in the combination of art and science, and get involved in wildlife conservation.
Financials: We share most of the funds we raise (90% or more) with our community! For more please visit our Donate Page.
Impact: Since our founding, we have supported over 1400 program participants from 36 countries and reached 40,000 people with our exhibitions, media content, and public events. Our art-sci work has featured a variety of animal species, ranging from moths and tropical frogs to beavers and whales, as well as larger issues like mapping unrecognized Indigenous lands and sharing water rights.
Please see our Annual Reports for details about our program activities, financials and measures of success.
Animals Need Our Help
Animals are central to our lives. We rely on them for companionship, clothing, food, medicine, sport, and spirituality. We live with them in our homes, farms, cities, towns, and wilderness areas. We compete for the same basic needs: air, food, water, shelter, room to move, and each other. After millions of years of shared evolutionary history, our species is now the dominant animal. Sadly, our actions have had dire consequences for most of the other animals on Earth. Few will survive our massive presence unless we intervene. At Creature Conserve, we define wildlife conservation as taking action to live in balance with wild animals and protect the habitats that sustain them and us.
A GLOBAL DILEMMA
Wildlife conservation is a global dilemma. It is a solution to a human problem requiring a diverse, multiple, interconnected approach. Even as we consider an organism's specific role in its environment, we also consider its role in the larger ecosystem, the human-dominated planet. From this perspective, we view wildlife conservation as essential for a just and peaceful world that allows wild animals to co-exist with humans and domestic animals in settings ranging from backyards and city parks to farms and nature reserves.
COMBINING ART WITH SCIENCE
We accomplish our mission by supporting the collaborative art-sci process. Art taps into our emotions and our subconscious. It reminds us that all life is connected; we are animals, too. It deepens our understanding of this interdependency and helps us explore how we feel about animals and our relationships with them. It creates context (cultural, historical, social, political)and space for our conversations about wildlife conservation. It makes the scientific and traditional knowledge we use to make decisions more accessible, meaningful, and real. It also makes the solutions more actionable. Art is far more likely to inspire a change in our behavior than a string of facts.
GROWING ART-SCI PATHWAYS FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
We recognize that many creatives, especially those in underserved communities, have limited access to experts with scientific and traditional knowledge, and few if any opportunities to get involved in on-the-ground conservation. Similarly, few experts working to restore species and their habitats have established connections with artists, designers, and writers. Combining art with science makes it easier for everyone to explore the human connection to nature and create new pathways to a healthier world for all animals. Participants in our programs learn from each other, create and innovate together, develop new skills, and use their combined talents to reach a wider audience and improve conservation outcomes.
OUR WORK
FOR program highlights, IMPACTS, and financials, PLEASE SEE OUR ANNUAL REPORTS (PDF)
Banner Artwork by Rachel Frank, Rewilding Offering Hand Oyster