| Who We Are |
| JENNY E. ROSS – Project Director; Principal Photographer, Writer, Speaker Jenny is an award-winning photographer, writer, and speaker specializing in wildlife natural history and conservation, ecosystems, environmental issues, scientific research, and related cultural and policy topics. Her photographs, often accompanied by her essays, have been displayed to acclaim in many exhibits and widely published throughout the world in books, magazines, science journals, and newspapers. Publications featuring her work include National Geographic magazine and other National Geographic Society publications; BBC Wildlife magazine, as well as BBC Books and BBC News; National Wildlife magazine and other National Wildlife Federation publications; Ocean Geographic magazine; Nature’s Best magazine; and the scientific journals Arctic, Science, Nature and Nature Geoscience. Jenny is highly respected for her compelling editorial work, exhibitions, and lecture-slideshow presentations combining stunning photographs with engaging and scientifically accurate information. She frequently collaborates with researchers in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from biology, ecology, and paleontology to geophysics, oceanography, and cryosphere science. In her work she strives to capture the essence of wild animals and wild places, explain scientific research to non-scientists, raise awareness of environmental issues, inspire concern and action for wildlife conservation and ecosystem protection, and elicit greater appreciation of the natural world and heightened understanding of the essential connections between human beings and nature. Jenny has worked extensively in the Arctic and sub-Arctic for more than a dozen years, and she is particularly concerned about the transformation of the Far North that is occurring due to rising temperatures. She developed Life On Thin Ice® to help advance public understanding of climate change, Arctic science, and related cultural and policy issues through editorial work, and by providing photographic and journalistic support for scientific research, public outreach, and education initiatives. Jenny has been honored in the World Press Photo awards and the Pictures of the Year International awards, as well as receiving numerous other accolades including the Nature’s Best Award for Wildlife Photography, the Philip Hyde Award for Environmental Photography, and the Vision Award of the North American Nature Photography Association. She is an Associate Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Her educational background at Stanford University and Harvard Law School included biology, environmental studies, philosophy of science, art, law, and public policy. Previously a practicing attorney, she ultimately chose to leave the law and dedicate herself to photography and writing, emphasizing editorial work as well as projects related to public outreach and education. ALESSANDRA MENICONZI – Collaborating Photographer, Indigenous People & Traditional Cultures The work of Swiss photographer Alessandra Meniconzi centers on the ancient heritage, customs, spirituality, and daily lives of indigenous people who are strongly connected to nature and whose traditional cultures are at risk of vanishing. She is motivated by a passion for the interplay between wild places and ancient cultures, as well as a fascination with and profound respect for native people who subsist in isolated regions of the world. Alessandra strives to portray the lives of indigenous people with authenticity, insight and sensitivity. For more than a decade she has worked extensively in remote areas of Asia, documenting indigenous minority people and their ancient ways of life. More recently, she has expanded her efforts to encompass Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. Her beautiful and compelling images have been published widely in magazines as well as in three books for which she was the sole photographer: The Silk Road (2004), Mystic Iceland (2007), and Hidden China (2008). For Life On Thin Ice™, Alessandra’s work focuses primarily on indigenous arctic people, their daily lives and ancient traditions, their relationships with nature, and their struggle to preserve their ways of life and maintain their cultural identities in the face of climate change and the pressures of the modern world. PROJECT ADVISORS Numerous experts on a wide variety of topics provide ongoing advice and assistance for Life On Thin Ice™. Advisors for the project include eminent climate scientists, cryosphere specialists, geophysicists, oceanographers, wildlife biologists, ecologists, anthropologists, historians, and more. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Life On Thin Ice™ is made possible by our collaborative relationships with a variety of project partners, including scientists and other individuals affiliated with academic and research institutions, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. In addition, we are grateful for the assistance provided by our sponsors. Please contact us if you are interested in collaborating with Life On Thin Ice™ or supporting the project in any manner. We welcome contributions of goods and services that assist us in accomplishing the necessary fieldwork for the project, as well as monetary donations for that purpose (which may be tax-deductible in some circumstances – please contact us for more information). |