Robert Ford has over 35 years experience as a professor, administrator, field researcher, development consultant, and conservation scientist. He is fluent in Spanish, French and English and has Master’s degrees in public health and anthropology and a Ph.D in Earth Science/Physical Geography, focusing on land conservation, agro-ecosystems, food security and sustainability. Robert has travelled widely in performing his role as a conservation scientist and consultant, particularly in Africa and Latin America. In January 2010 he volunteered for six months as Interim Program Director to the Grauer’s Gorilla Landscape Conservation and Development Program for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, working out of its base in the Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”). From July 2010 to March 2012 he took time off to build a house on his ranch in Rockville, build fences, and start a consulting and photography business. Most recently, he carried out conservation science and park management consulting to support rehabilitation of two national parks in the DRC, Upemba and Kundelungu, which are being re-opened after the Central African wars of recent years.

Very early while doing field research on the Sahelian drought and famine of West Africa in the mid-1970s, Robert discovered that the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) linked to good photography were crucial in the task of documenting, understanding, and interpreting short and long-term change and the interactions between human society and the broader environment. Thus began his passion for documenting the places he worked and visited with photographic images.

“In my photography I try to focus on using my work to highlight what the National Geographic Society defines as geotourism, which incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism—that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations—while allowing for ways to protect a place’s character.”

“It is important to recognize that my photography is primarily a part of my broader work as a conservation scientist, consultant, and professor. And, of course, it is largely global–so my focus of this show, though primarily local, is expressing some of the same approaches.”

Landscape and light from Africa to Zion: A Geotourism Photographic Perspective includes works from Robert’s recent trips to Africa as well as photographs from the areas surrounding his home in Rockville, Utah.

 

Z-Arts Artist Reception
Featuring Robert Ford

Canyon Community Center Gallery

Thursday, November 5, 2015
5 – 6:30 pm

Refreshments will be served.

 

This project is supported by Utah Arts and Museums, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts .

Support for this event provided by The National Endowment for the Arts - Art Works