A seven-year program at Nature's Best Photography, the POY Award was created to recognize a single photographer or photo team whose body of work has consistently engaged the public through the power of photography and multi-media presentations. We present these award-winners as a part of the Nature's Best Photography International Awards. 
 
WINNER | ART WOLFE

The world renowned photographer and inspirational speaker Art Wolfe has traversed the globe, working on every continent to uncover exciting, new perspectives of nature and indigenous cultures. Wolfe is also the star of the 13-episode television series "Travels to the Edge." 
    The son of commercial artists, Wolfe’s creative view of the natural world was shaped early in life. The family influence guided Wolfe to earn his Bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and art education from the University of Washington in 1975. Raised in Seattle, Washington, he still calls the city his home. 
    “Art Wolfe’s work tells a story that is overwhelming, breathtaking, and vast,” says actor Robert Redford. His stunning photography documents Earth’s fast-disappearing wildlife, landscapes, and native cultures, increasing public awareness of these natural treasures. Long before the “conservation photography” genre was conceived, Wolfe was practicing it. Wolfe’s artistic view of his subjects and his mastery of color, composition, and technique make his life’s work one of the most impressive and compelling collections of natural history photography available today. Through his dedication to the art of nature photography, Wolfe provides a comprehensive view of the world and our place in it.  For more about Art Wolfe, visit www.ArtWolfe.com


WINNER | FRANS LANTING

Frans Lanting's photography has helped create leverage for conservation efforts ranging from local initiatives to global campaigns. Through his many alliances, publications, public appearances, and his ongoing active support of various environmental organizations, Lanting has earned numerous accolades over the years, most recently being named as an Ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund Netherlands. In addition to serving on the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund and on the Chairman’s Council of Conservation International, Lanting was also inducted as a Knight in the Royal Order of the Golden Ark by H.R.H. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.
    From his vast experience in the field, Lanting has created a unique project that shares his dramatic imagery, scientific facts, and insightful narration with music composed by Philip Glass. Titled LIFE: A Journey Through Time, it is a masterfully assembled and lyrical interpretation of life on Earth—from its single-celled origins to its present-day boundless diversity.
    For more about Frans Lanting, visit www.lanting.com
and his LIFE project at www.lifethroughtime.com


WINNER | THOMAS D. MANGELSEN

Thomas D. Mangelsen of Jackson, Wyoming, has a flourishing nature photography business with nine galleries across the country. Even with this success, Tom has never taken his eye off the importance of conserving the environment and protecting wildlife. Through his many partnerships, he has helped make an enormous impact on the way the public views and connects with the wild. In both pictures and actions, Tom Mangelsen has engaged and inspired awareness for animals, people, and places, creating a unique appreciation and celebration of planet Earth and our place in it.
    For more about Tom's work and the Cougar Fund that he co-founded, visit his website at www.mangelsen.com.


WINNER | CRISTINA MITTERMEIER

Cristina Mittermeier is driven by her strong passion for the environment and preservation of biodiversity worldwide. With a mission to discover, document, and communicate through the power of photography, Mittermeier created the International League of Conservation Photographers. The ILCP (www.ilcp.com) has become one of the most effective photography initiatives in the history of conservation. "In the end, my goal as a conservation photographer is to make images that are compelling enough to travel far and become iconic symbols for a world that is fast disappearing. Supporting my fellow photographers and their own determined efforts in addition to ongoing ILCP initiatives is truly rewarding, and now my life's mission is to help build a better planet."  For more about Cristina visit www.cristinamittermeier.com


WINNER | PATRICIO ROBLES GIL

Conservationist, naturalist, painter, sculptor, editor, designer, and professional phortographer from Mexico City, Patricio Robles Gil is, above all, truly a man of passion. Over the past 20 years, he has founded two conservation groups in Mexico and played a major role in the development of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He has published 34 books of his own photography as well as collections by photographers from all over the globe. Most recently, Robles Gil has helped bring the 9th World Wilderness Congress to Mexico, where leading scientists, conservationists, and photographers are matched by their individual talents to create solutions for the future of our environment. "Wilderness is the one thing that brings me peace and tranquility. It is a great privilege to be a nature photographer, and that privilege is enhanced by being involved with conservation." --PRG


WINNER | FLORIAN SCHULZ

Florian Schulz is a professional nature photographer with a mission to protect large endangered ecosystems across America. The youngest founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP), Schulz is constantly searching for unique images that will motivate the public to take action. For more than 15 years, Schulz has worked on conservation photography projects in North America concerning wildlife corridors. Vital areas of unmatched biodiversity and pristine wilderness have been identified in North America: the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) and the Baja to Beaufort (B2B) ecoregions. These areas connect the last vestiges of the western wilderness in a corridor of important and often irreplaceable habitats for many endangered, wide-ranging migratory mammals and birds.
    For more information about Schulz and his ongoing travels, conservation projects, books, videos, and IMAX films, please visit his website: www.visionsofthewild.com


WINNER | HOWARD RUBY

Howard Ruby is an outstanding photographer, business leader, and conservation advocate. Chairman of Oakwood Worldwide, Ruby not only implements important plans to reduce greenhouse gases within his own company, but he also launched a visually-supported mission to bring awareness to climate change concerns through his photography and educational outreach.
    To learn more about Ruby and his global warming awareness and conservation programs, please visit: www.howardruby.com