On Feb. 6, SCCF hosted National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore for the 7th annual Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture.

Sartore is well-known for his work photographing over 16,000 species as part of the National Geographic Photo Ark — a project that has led him to hundreds of zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries around the world. Sartore is also a speaker, author, teacher, conservationist, National Geographic Explorer, and a regular contributor to National Geographic.

During his talk on Sanibel, Sartore delighted the audience with dozens of vibrant and striking animal portraits from his collection — from tiny flamingo tongue sea snails (which he photographed the same day on Sanibel at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium) to massive polar bears. He delved into his exciting and comical encounters trying to photograph species in a studio setting, and recounted his career path that eventually led him to the Photo Ark.

“Life is short. We last as long as a snowflake on a spring day,” Sartore said, recalling his wife’s battle with cancer, which led him to re-assess his busy career. “I started thinking about extinction and documenting extinction.”

Sartore lamented species that have already gone extinct without much, if any, of a photographic record.

“There’s a sense of urgency [with the Photo Ark] because I have seen species I’ve photographed go extinct in my lifetime,” he said.

Before the McCarthy Lecture, Sartore photographed 12 species on Sanibel at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) and the Shell Museum. SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz also brought in 4 species of map turtles (Graptemys spp.) from his private collection for Sartore to document.

During the lecture, Sartore explored how, as primates, humans are just another mammal, and he discussed the importance of preserving biodiversity to nature conservation as a whole.

He ended the lecture by highlighting Florida’s unique biodiversity — some of the highest in the U.S. — and inspiring the audience to find the joy in animals and the natural world around them. The event ended with a short Q&A and book signing.

Sartore’s books include Insects, RARE: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species, National Geographic Photo Ark Wonders, and Birds of the Photo Ark. He has contributed to Audubon Magazine, The New York Times, LIFE, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated, and his work has been the subject of many national broadcasts including 60 Minutes, the Today Show, and the CBS Sunday Morning Show.

For seven years, SCCF’s Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture Series has connected people with speakers aligned with our mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. The Boler Family Foundation underwrites the speaker fees and expenses as a way to honor a dear family friend. Paul McCarthy was the founder of Captiva Cruises and an engaged and community-focused presence on the Sanibel and Captiva for many years.