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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula April 13, 2005   Text © 2005 Jeff Dambrun. Photo © 2005 Jim Brandenburg and courtesy Michigan Tech's Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC). Reprinted with permission.

Jim Brandenburg, wilderness photographer, to visit MTU April 21

By Jeff Dambrun

HOUGHTON -- Earth Week 2005 organizers, Students for Environmental Sustainability, are proud to bring a very special guest to Houghton from the not-so-far land of Northern Minnesota. Wilderness photographer and activist Jim Brandenburg will join the Michigan Tech community to give a presentation and judge an amateur environmental photo contest on Thursday, April 21, 2005.

Jim Brandenburg, Minnesota wilderness photographer and activist, will judge a photo contest and give a presentation of his work on Apr. 21 at Michigan Tech, during Earth Week festivities. (Photo © 2005 Jim Brandenburg and courtesy MTU's Environmental Sustainability Committee. Reprinted with permission.)

Whether or not you've heard his name before, chances are you've seen his work. Commonly known for his famous wolf photography, Jim Brandenburg has been a National Geographic photographer for over 25 years. His work has appeared everywhere, from publications including The New York Times, Time, Smithsonian, Outside, and BBC Wildlife, to television shows "Prime Time Live" and "Dateline," as well as on stamps for the United States Postal Service. He has been awarded numerous honors, including "Kodak Wildlife Photographer of the Year" and "National Press Magazine Photographer of the Year" and has been named a Nikon Legend Behind the Lens.

Mr. Brandenburg was recognized by the United Nations for "using nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment." In addition, Mr. Brandenburg has published several best-selling books of photography, including the environmentally acclaimed Chased by the Light, in which he allowed himself only one photo for each of the 90 days of fall, and Looking for the Summer, where he did the same thing during summer months.

On Thursday, April 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Jim Brandenburg will be giving a free public presentation and discussion in Hesterburg Hall, off the atrium of the Forestry Building on the Michigan Tech campus. Mr. Brandenburg will show samples of his work and discuss why we should strive for environmental awareness in all aspects of our lives. 

In addition to attending Jim's free presentation, all members of the community have the unique opportunity to enter their own wilderness photography into a contest to be judged by Jim himself. The photographs will be displayed throughout Earth Week, April 18-22, in the Memorial Union on the campus of Michigan Tech. The contest is open to everyone, and winners will receive prizes as well as have the chance to attend dinner with Mr. Brandenburg. 

For details about Earth Week, Jim's visit during Earth Week and photo contest rules, please visit the Environmental Sustainability Committee's Web site.

For more information about Jim Brandenburg, as well as samples of his work, visit his Web site, http://www.jimbrandenburg.com.

Editor's Note: Keweenaw Now guest writer Jeff Dambrun, of Saint Johns, Mich., is third-year Michigan Tech student studying Environmental Engineering. He is a member of Students for Environmental Sustainability (SfES). In addition to being active with St. Albert the Great, Jeff likes to cook, bike, hike and kayak. 

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