Welcome to Piñon Country
PHOTOGRAPHY. STORYTELLING. CONSERVATION.
Exhibit Description
A traveling, educational exhibit and enchanting visual story that illuminates the interdependence of life in the piñon-juniper environs. This photography exhibit invites viewers into the lives of Pinyon Jays and their intimate relationship and guardianship of their habitat while addressing the alarming decline of these birds and the iconic piñon-juniper woodlands of the West due to climate change and loss of habitat, and shares the story of the scientists and volunteers acting on their behalf.
Piñon juniper woodlands dominate much of the American west, and yet few people recognize their incredible beauty, diversity, and value. This woodland provides a wealth of resources, from wildlife habitat and vegetative cover for watershed protection, to piñon nuts and fuelwood. The forest is home to millions of urban and rural people and has been a resource and home to indigenous peoples for thousands of years. More than 70 species of birds are known to breed in piñon-juniper woodland and they support one of the highest proportions of obligate or semi-obligate bird species among forest types in the West. And none may have more connection with this woodland than the Pinyon Jays. They depend on piñon trees for food, shelter, and nesting sites and in turn, they are the main disperser of piñon seeds, allowing these woodlands to rejuvenate and establish in new areas.
Yet, the ecosystem as a whole is facing challenges. Mass die-offs of piñon pines from insect infestations brought on by drought and climate change, clearing of land for housing and energy development, and thinning and other land management practices for fire suppression, cattle foraging, and management of grassland species have impacted nesting colonies and foraging sites and changed the available habitat for Pinyon Jays. These changes in piñon woodlands have resulted in the loss of 85% of the Pinyon Jay population across the West. If the current rate of decline continues, another 50% of their population will disappear in the next 15 years. Our actions in the next few years could determine if these birds survive. Scientists and a slew of local conservation groups are rallying a small army of volunteers to help the Pinyon Jays thrive in this landscape once again.
The images in this exhibit reveal the amazing lives of the smart and social Pinyon Jays, the role they play in the ecosystem, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts on their behalf. The birds are shown in their natural habitat, which varies from western wildernesses to suburban areas. Rather than seeing a wall of green, viewers of this exhibit will begin to recognize the unique plants, birds, wildlife, and resources of this one-of-a-kind place and become stewards of this essential landscape. The audience will learn about opportunities to help the Pinyon Jays and their habitat thrive once again through everything from simple actions in their backyards to long-term volunteering and funding.
About the Photographer
Christina started this conservation photography project in New Mexico where she first became fascinated with Pinyon Jays that occasionally visit her backyard, and has since expanded it to include locations across the Pinyon Jay’s range in the West. With Santa Fe as her home base, Christina has been capturing impactful images for over a decade which she puts to work to raise awareness of conservation imperatives mostly focused on the Southwestern United States but also throughout the Americas. Her work has been featured in publications such as Audubon, Outdoor Photographer, bioGraphic, National Geographic online, Scientific American, New Mexico Magazine, Mongabay, Ensia, and The Guardian, among others. Her work on Pinyon Jays has been featured in StoryMaps, conservation groups’ social media accounts, in Audubon Magazine, and will soon appear in articles in other outlets. She is the author of Best Wildflower Hikes of New Mexico (FalconGuides, March 2020), New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventures (UNM Press, September 2021), and producer and co-director of the feature documentary Saving Beauty: Learning to Live with the Rare Ones Among Us. She is also a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, dedicated professional photographers driving conservation impact through ethical visual storytelling. Learn more about her and her work here.
EXHIBIT SPECS
Rental Fee includes:
Licensing fee base price for 8-week booking (other timelines and prices available) - Rates vary depending on location, length of exhibit, etc.
Printing costs - Vary depending on how many images are selected for your exhibit, style of prints, what prints may be available from previous exhibitions, and if any custom images are requested.
Please email me for a a quote and full breakdown of exhibit costs for your venue.
Audience:
General
Size:
Each image is approximately 2.5’x4’ on vinyl banner. Approx. 100 linear feet depending on installation type.
Exhibition Components:
23 images + 2 text panels with QR codes linking to online exhibit. Printed on durable, outdoor vinyl banners size 2.5’x4’ (other print options available). Most images are horizontal in aspect with a two vertical images.
Caption text panels size 11”x17” printed on alupanel (durable, outdoor material) featuring explanatory and descriptive information. Captions can be attached to the image frames or staked into the ground.
Exhibition press kit
Online exhibit connected through QR codes with customizable calls-to-action
Post cards, greeting cards, fine art prints for gift stores/visitor centers available upon request (provided at wholesale cost and/or on consignment). A percentage of artist’s proceeds of these products is donated to Pinyon Jay conservation efforts.
Schedule and Availability
April 27, 2023 - November 26, 2023 (30 weeks) - Santa Fe Botanical Gardens, Santa Fe, NM
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2024 - The Arboretum at Flagstaff, Flagstaff, AZ (to be confirmed)
Contact me to discuss booking dates!
FAQs
How does the exhibit support conservation of Pinyon Jays and their habitat?
An impactful image can often bring about change. A series of images that tells a compelling story is sure to grab an audience’s attention and live in the hearts of viewers. In a visually-based society, conservation photography harnesses the power of storytelling to further conservation goals. As a conservation photographer, my mission is to help people fall in love with the species or ecosystem in peril, understand the challenges, and take action on behalf of the natural world. (Learn more about conservation storytelling here.) This exhibit shares a story that sheds light on environmental and cultural issues, solutions, and efforts; with the goal of making a positive change for this overlooked western forest ecosystem.
The exhibit is just one piece of my broader project “Piñon Country” that supports conservation of the jays and this important ecosystem. Learn more about this project here.
Many researchers have generously donated their time to answer my questions and allowed me to tag along in the field to photograph and learn about their work to understand the jays. I donate images to collaborating scientists to use in their reports and presentations, deepening their impact.
I also collaborate with Great Basin Bird Observatory, Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon Society, and Grand Canyon Trust to promote their community science programs and raise awareness about actions people can take on behalf of Pinyon Jays and their habitat.
Finally, a percentage of the sales of exhibition products such as postcards, greeting cards, and fine art prints are donated back to my partner groups working on this conservation issue.
Who can host the exhibit?
Museums, nature centers, botanical gardens, zoos, open spaces, wildlife refuges, parks, schools, colleges, and other locations with outdoor venues large enough to install the exhibit. I encourage venues to partner with groups and organizations working on pinyon jay or related conservation efforts to bring the exhibit to your area.
How long is the exhibit rental period?
I recommend a minimum of 8 weeks for audiences to find and visit the exhibition in your area but I can work with requests for other timelines.
If you would like to rent the exhibit for more than 6 months, please contact me to discuss licensing options for your own semi-permanent installation.
How big is the exhibition?
The image panels are approximately 2.5’x4’. With up to 23 images and two text panels, the exhibition is a minimum of 80 linear feet. Additional room should be calculated depending on the type of installation. Click here to see a folder with visual examples of installation options for this exhibit.
What do I receive for my rental fee?
A ready-to-print and install product, full press materials, interpretive materials, and my commitment to assist you in any way to ensure a successful booking and public experience.
What are the requirements to host this exhibit?
Please read the Environmental and Security requirements to consider here [LINK COMING SOON].
I don’t recommend installing the exhibit during the heavy winter months in areas with snow and storms, the vinyl banners may not hold up in that kind of weather and require frequent reprint and replacement. Depending on your area, consider April - November the best months for this exhibit to be displayed outside.
Host will need to build out the frames and hardware to install the exhibit. Images of suggested installation styles can be viewed here.
I also ask that host venues submit a FINAL REPORT within 30 days of the exhibit’s close. This report details your exhibit experience, programming, and attendance stats.
How do I book the exhibition?
Easy! Contact me with your preferred booking dates and I’ll get back to you to discuss.
The exhibition costs are beyond my budget, can we collaborate on fundraising to bring the exhibit to my area?
Yes! Let’s discuss. I have nearly 20 years of grant writing experience and would be happy to collaborate on grant writing and other fundraising efforts if the exhibit costs feel beyond reach for your venue/conservation group/organization.