Kyle Obermann
Kyle Obermann is an award-winning conservation photographer and writer based in Chengdu, China. Fluent in Mandarin, his work documents the evolution of China’s nature reserves, national parks, and grassroots environmental groups.
After college I tried one year of working at a desk during the sunniest hours of the day. I couldn't settle for it! Environmental photography is the combination of all my passions - creativity, storytelling, exploration, helping others, and conservation. I hope that my photos go beyond just being beautiful and can actually act as agents of change inspiring others to love our planet more and earn the conservation groups and people I work with more support for their incredible efforts.
I always knew I wanted to do something environmentally related, but whether I'd be doing more policy, research, or field work was always up in the air. I'm equally as passionate about topics such as clean energy and climate, but focusing on conservation allows me to first hand interact with the places and species that we risk losing and use my gifts to show them to the world.
Living in China and working across Asia for 7 years shows me how inseparable conservation is from issues surrounding human livelihood, justice, and rights. Human "conflict" with nature is often driven by greater systemic forces and economies far, far away. Often conservation goes hand-in-hand with empowering locals and fighting for equality. Working with Tibetans has also taught me that everything is truly sacred and should be cherished... and I mean everything!
Key Conservation unlocks the opportunity for others to help solve global environmental challenges through accessible means anywhere in the world. I hope to see Key Conservation help smaller, less visible conservation groups and objectives across the world.
Skilled Impact! To me it's the most interesting, flexible, and new way to get people involved in conservation who wouldn't traditionally be able or interested to join in the effort.
Learn more about Shan Shui Conservation Center here!