A non-profit organization founded by Dr Spelman in 2015. She currently serves as Executive Director.
Mission: We are growing a creative community that combines art with science to cultivate new pathways for wildlife conservation.
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.
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 Curatorial Programs & Exhibits, Mentorship Programs, Scholarships & Fellowships and Workshops. 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.
“I started Creature Conserve because I saw the need for a fresh approach to tackling the extinction crisis, one that was more open and engaging, collaborative and cross-disciplinary. Participants in our programs (exhibits, scholarships, workshops) learn from each other, create and innovate together, and combine their skills to improve conservation outcomes and reach a wider audience.”