About ARKive

Wildscreen

ARKive is a Wildscreen initiative: a not-for-profit charity organisation, whose mission is to promote the public understanding and appreciation of the world's biodiversity, and the need for its conservation, through the power of wildlife imagery.

Established 25 years ago, Wildscreen's Patrons include some of the world's greatest environmental icons: HRH Prince Philip, Sir David Attenborough, Prof E.O. Wilson, and Dr Sylvia Earle.

Wildscreen's supporters, partners and collaborators include the world's most influential conservationists, environmentalists and broadcast industry leaders, and Wildscreen itself has established an international reputation and proven track record within the fields of natural history media, communications and education.

In addition to creating ARKive, Wildscreen runs a number of other international flagship initiatives:

  • The Wildscreen Festival - the world's largest and most influential wildlife and environmental film festival. Starting in 1982, the festival now attracts over 600 delegates, from more than 45 countries, and c. 450 film entries to its prestigious Panda Awards competition.
  • WildPhotos - the UK's leading international wildlife photography symposium, attracting over 400 delegates each year, with speakers from the most famous names in wildlife photography and conservation communications.
  • WildFilmHistory - the world's first online guide to the pioneering personalities and landmark productions behind one hundred years of wildlife filmmaking.
  • WildScreenings - Wildscreen's international outreach programme of film screenings and master classes to reach, engage and inspire new audiences. Developing countries, where there is the most critical pressure on the environment, are a key priority, and Wildscreen India in January 2007 was attended by 16,000 people, with Wildscreen China touring six cities in Dec 2007.

Wildscreen's headquarters are based in Bristol, UK - the world’s centre for wildlife filmmaking - and consist of a team of 18 highly qualified full-time staff, and an active board of trustees, representing some of the most influential names in the wildlife media industry, conservation science and environmental education.

Please see: Our team.

The visionary behind ARKive was the late Christopher Parsons OBE, former Head of the BBC Natural History Unit, IMAX film producer, creator of Wildwalk at-Bristol and founder of Wildscreen.

Wildscreen USA

The ARKive project is also supported by Wildscreen USA, Inc., a non-profit organisation based in Washington, DC.

Wildscreen USA is spearheading US efforts in support of the global ARKive project - coordinating work with leading media and environmental groups located in the US, developing strategic partnerships with US-based technology providers, and working to continue to grow ARKive's substantial US audience.