Published February 18, 2009 02:10PM
If melting glaciers in high alpine environments get you hot, and you’re ahndy with a SLR, get your laptop out, fire up Microsoft Word, and apply for the American Alpine Club’s (AAC’s) Nikwax Bellweather Grant. It’s a $3000 pot to be divided between two or three photographers to document the effects of climate change in fragile high alpine ecosystems.
Grantees will visit alpine regions to observe and photograph changes in glacier recession, upward plant migration, animal sightings and other critical indicators. The photographs and findings will be provided to climate experts, who can then detail methods for mitigating current and future impacts of global warming in fragile environments. Results will be published in the American Alpine News, on the AAC website and in the AAC Annual Report.
“This grant complements our focus on alpine conservation work around the world,” said Phil Powers, Executive Director of the AAC. “The alpine ecosystems have some of the highest biodiversity rates on the planet, and also store critical sources of fresh water for the lowlands. This grant can be an integral step toward proper stewardship.”
“The final product will have massive potential to heighten public awareness of at-risk regions that may be easily overlooked because they are not heavily visited,” said Chas Fisher, Global Brand Manager for Nikwax, which as a company strives to minimize negative environmental impacts, encourage exploration, enjoyment, and protection of wild places.
Anyone interested in alpine conservation is welcome to apply. But get on it. Due date is just around the corner, March 1, 2009.
Nikwax Bellweather Grant Application