Ian Shive
Protecting Sand Dunes Helps Wildlife
Nature photography is often about storytelling, and not just making pretty pictures (though it's important to make time to do just that, too!). And the Oceano Dunes have quite the story.
At Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, California, there is a story developing about the use of outdoor recreation vehicles, such as cars, dirt bikes, and ATVs driving on the beach, and the need to conserve the beach areas for nesting seabirds and wildlife.
New legislation has called into question whether outdoor recreation will be allowed to continue as it currently is, steeply curtailing or in some cases, eliminating vehicles in areas. At first, it seems like the right thing to do, especially when you see tire tracks all over the beach and people racing around at top speed through the sand. At the same time, it opens a bigger question of how humans interact with the environment, and specifically around outdoor recreation. Do we visit and enjoy and love places too much? Is it fair to eliminate family traditions of camping on the beach?
The Oceano Dunes Are Out of This World 10 Photos
Discovery.com and Ian Shive take a trip to Oceano Dune State Park in Northern California.
As a photographer, my goal isn't to take a position but to document both sides of the issue. The areas behind the fence, where there are nothing but footprints, and the areas where you can camp and drive vehicles. It's my hope that the images I create will provide a visual context for the story as it develops. In the meantime, you can never go wrong documenting sand dunes, which are one of the most beautiful natural formations on our planet, and a personal favorite to explore my creative side!
