Nature photographer John Fielder teams up with outfitter, conservation group for workshop

July 25, 2013 - PRLog -- DENVER – One of the country’s premier landscape photographers is teaming up with one of the country’s leading conservation organizations to offer a six-day photography workshop in August on Utah’s Green River which, along with other areas in the region, faces pressures from adjacent oil and gas development.

John Fielder, a nationally known nature photographer, publisher and conservationist, will offer photographers of all skill levels an opportunity to learn in a unique classroom – 86 miles of scenic whitewater through Desolation and Gray canyons. Longtime rafting outfitter Bill Dvorak of Nathrop, Colo., a public lands outreach coordinator with National Wildlife Federation, will be the lead guide for the trip that runs Aug. 31-Sept. 5.

Fielder is an award-winning photographer whose work is featured in more than 30 books. An original member of the Great Outdoors Colorado board, Fielder speaks to thousands of people each year about land-use and environmental issues.

Dvorak, who operates Dvorak’s Expeditions with his wife, Jaci, has guided on the Green River for more than 30 years. As a National Wildlife Federation organizer, Dvorak works with hunters, anglers and other conservationists on public-lands, wildlife and energy issues.

“The segment of the Green river through Desolation and Gray canyons is Utah’s largest Wilderness Study Area. The elevations vary by 5,600 feet – deeper than the Grand Canyon,” Fielder said. “Elk were transplanted into the area in 1988 and its multiple ecosystems are home to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain lion, black bear and four native fish on the federal Endangered Species list. We are fortunate that NWF works to protect this place and its denizens from threats such  as oil and gas development on contiguous lands, and to advocate its designation as a federal wilderness area, our nation’s highest form of land protection.”

A portion of the proceeds from the trip will benefit the National Wildlife Federation. The trip will start with a slide show and dinner Aug. 30 in Grand Junction, Colo. Participants will be guided through more than 60 whitewater rapids and receive group and one-on-one photographic instruction.

“This is an excellent opportunity for anyone, regardless of prior rafting or photography experience, to learn from a legendary nature photographer while helping the nation’s leading wildlife conservation organization on a river trip through one of the West’s most spectacular and remote wild-river wilderness areas,” Dvorak said.

The tuition is $1,877 per person, which includes workshop instruction, six days and five nights of guided rafting, all meals, round-trip transportation from Grand Junction to the river and back, and all required rafting and safety equipment.

More details are available at the following sites:
http://www.johnfielder.com/workshop-details.php?id=9&name...
http://www.dvorakexpeditions.com/2013/05/2013-nature-phot...

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John Fielder is a nationally renowned nature photographer, publisher, teacher, and preservationist. He has worked tirelessly to promote the protection of Colorado’s open space and wildlands. His photography has influenced people and legislation, earning him recognition, including the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award in 1993, and in 2011 the Aldo Leopold Foundation’s first Achievement Award given to an individual. He was an original governor-appointed member of the lottery-related Board of Great Outdoors Colorado, and speaks to thousands of people each year to rally support for timely land use and environmental issues. His latest Colorado project involves photographing parks, open space, wildlife habitat, ranches and more for the 20th anniversary of Great Outdoors Colorado, which uses  a portion of Colorado Lottery revenue to acquire and preserve open space, parks, trails and rivers.

Bill and Jaci Dvorak have been operating Dvorak’s Kayak and Rafting Expeditions since 1979. As one of the early pioneers of white water river rafting in the Rocky Mountains, the Dvoraks own the first outfitter license issued by the state of Colorado.

The National Wildlife Federation is America's conservation organization inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.