The "small" joys around us can not only nurture a deep connection and
appreciation for nature,
but also drastically improve our mental health,
resilience, and capacity to create change.
Featured Projects
Sparking Sea Slug Joy
Opening our eyes to the ocean's tiny wonders
Eelgrass Ecosystem Education
with SeaChange Marine Conservation Society
Salmon Forests
Fish feeding the trees (and everything else)
Documenting Banana Slug Diversity
Illustrating countless colour variations, one at a time!
Pacific Herring Spawn
A sustainable fishery is possible
Hello, I'm Alena! (she/they)
I'm a queer, neurodivergent conservation geographer, photographer, illustrator, and science communicator. I am currently living and learning in beautiful coastal British Columbia, within the unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples.
I'm passionate about the complex interconnectivity that exists within all aspects of our shared world. I'm driven through my art and research to find things that connect us all, and use them to inspire action, bring optimism, and find sustainable solutions that benefit nature AND empower communities.
My passion for nature and wildlife is a dominant theme in my everyday life, and I strive to find unique perspectives and solutions to current conservation issues. Creativity is a large part of my life, and I am constantly trying to combine my loves for photography, art, science, equality, and conservation.
SciComm Snippets
Science Communication & Storytelling
I love to use photography and illustration to engage, educate, and inspire the public about wildlife conservation stories, science, struggles, and successes.
I approach this work with an intersectional lens, incorporating themes like mental health, accessibility, community care, ethics, queer and trans
rights, and Indigenous knowledge within my conservation and naturalist
content, as well as in my online presence.
My aim is to do this in a way that's fun, engaging, inspiring, and promotes the importance of protecting nature and caring for each other (and ourselves!).
Photography & Film
I first picked up my camera with the intention of telling conservation stories while working in academia, as I was struggling to connect people to the work I was doing. Once I started sharing visuals along with my conservation stories, I noticed their unique power to connect people to the animals plants we all share space with. More than a decade later, I still haven't put my camera down!
I use my images to tell both big-picture stories (like those of conservation and research) and stories on a smaller scale (tales of individual animals or relationships). Recently, I've been focusing more on magnifying the small, underrepresented creatures all around us every day. I've found that opening our eyes to these tiny wonders is a magnificent tool for connection, mindfulness, and mental health - all critically important for the well-being of both human and non-human communities!
Illustration
Since 2018, I've been creating conservation visuals in a new arena: illustration! I use these graphics to illustrate research, strengthen science communication, promote public awareness about conservation, and provide educational resources.
I work with various non-profit organizations, scientists, and community groups to add create infographics, interactive displays and signage, or science communication visuals that compliment educational campaigns, fundraisers, reports, and more.
I also use my illustrations independently as a tool to connect the general public with nature, promote conservation initiatives, and nurture mindfulness and intersectional environmentalism - mostly on social media.
I also use my illustrations independently as a tool to connect the general public with nature, promote conservation initiatives, and nurture mindfulness and intersectional environmentalism - mostly on social media.
Owl & Bear Studio
With the goal of creating a sustainable, transparent, intersectional way to further my work in science communication, I launched my own business in 2018. Through Owl & Bear Studio, I sell "nifty gifties" in my online shop that promote a connection with nature, spark joy, and raise funds for charity and mutual aid.
Since launching in 2018, I have raised over $75,000 for charitable causes through this work! I have also helped connect tens of thousands of people to the natural world around them, celebrating the "small" joys of nature together.
My motto is "Compassion Belongs in Conservation." I truly believe that everything is connected, and no sustainable change can be made without looking at the system as a whole. Conservation cannot exist in any healthy form without the incorporation of human rights, equality, and social justice. People cannot continue to do this important work without addressing mental health and community care. All of these themes are present in my art, and I hope to continue to grow and nurture my work in this arena!
