The Earth Story

natgeo Filmed by @florianschulzvisuals| Over the last years, I have spent most of my field time in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It is the biggest Wildlife Refuge in the US and it is under severe threat to be destroyed by oil development, despite its status as a Wildlife Refuge. Few places around the world have moved me as much as this wilderness! This past December, the Trump administration has lifted a 40-year-old ban on oil development through a provision in the tax reform bill. You may have seen my photographs in the June issue of National Geographic magazine. I am also working on a film about this pristine wilderness, as I still have hope we can turn things around and protect this precious land for future generations. Enjoy these fall scenes from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and please follow me @florianschulzvisualsto see more images from Arctic Alaska and stay informed about the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! 

natgeo Video by @florianschulzvisuals - While documenting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for an upcoming film, I got a true feeling for wilderness. It seemed like traveling back in time to a world predating our modern world. The Refuge is the largest wildlife refuge in the country, bordering the arctic ocean in northeastern Alaska. Far away from the city centers, the arctic sky allows for a magical light show of the northern lights at night. I spent many months in the Refuge over several years to get an intimate look at its wildlife, such as muskox that are perfectly adapted to the arctic climate. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the spotlight as it has been opened up to oil drilling through the recent tax bill. Follow me @florianschulzvisuals to see more of our wild planet

natgeo Video by @florianschulzvisuals - I filmed the Porcupine Caribou Herd in early June, just days after all of their calves were born. The Porcupine Caribou Herd, about 200,000 strong, comes to the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to give birth to as many as 50,000 calves each year. For the massive wildlife spectacle, people have often called the coastal plains “America’s Serengeti” while the Native Gwich’in call it, “Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit” - The Sacred Place Where Life Begins. Drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge is in the current GOP Tax Bill, that the president approved with his signature last month. If drilling moves forward it could destroy one of the last wild landscapes and threaten the integrity of the ecosystem. I am currently working on a film on the Arctic Refuge to allow people to get an insight into the remote wilderness. 

• natgeo Video & stills - @andy_bardon /// A few wintery aerials from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This fragile ecosystem is home to more than 250 animal species and our team came across caribou, bears, foxes, and sheep while we were in the field collecting data. Tucked into the tax bill approved Wednesday by Congress is a provision that opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. Jimmy Carter created the refuge in late 1980 and recognized, "Alaska's wilderness areas are truly this country's crown jewels..." With the stroke of a pen its future has just changed. /// I collected this footage as our bush plane flew deep into the heart of the Brooks Range to drop us off for a two week expedition. Swipe right to see some stills from our climbs on the highest peaks in the range. Our team used cutting edge technology to measure the rate of glacial change and to accurately measure the highest summits in the refuge. Our trip was made possible by a grant from @natgeo /// Follow @andy_bardon for more imagery of wild places

natgeoVideo by @florianschulzvisuals | There is hardly a greater wildlife spectacle left in North American then the massive caribou migration of the Porcupine Caribou herd. Every year about 200 000 caribou migrate to the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to give birth to their young. Migrating close to 3000 miles it is the longest migration route of any land mammal. The reason: The caribou are dependent on the nutrient rich vegetation that the coastal plain provides. The current GOP tax bill would allow oil drilling in this pristine wilderness. Opening up the Refuge has often been attempted by drilling supporters but never received congressional approval. This time around the situation is different. As the measure is tied to the budget process the bill only needs 51 votes – not the usual 60. Drilling in the Arctic Refuge could become a reality, destroying one of the greatest wild places in the country that has often been called the Serengeti of the north. In my work, I specialize in the last wild place on the planet and those become increasing rare. I think it would be devastating to see one of the greatest wilderness gems be destroyed over a few months worth of the nation’s oil.