Photo exhibit at Florida Museum tells story of Nature Coast

June 29, 2010

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Museum of Natural History will display its newest photography exhibit “Life on the Edge: The Story of Florida’s Nature Coast” by Eric Zamora through Aug. 8.

Zamora uses the visual power of photography in this exhibit to share the story of Florida’s Nature Coast with the goal of helping mold a sustainable future for the region.

The Nature Coast stretches 240 miles from St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge near Tallahassee to northern Pasco County. Pressure to develop the area has increased tremendously in recent years with the proposal of a limestone mine, nuclear power plant, two large resorts and an expressway.

Zamora said while the area is rich with water, beauty and open space, it struggles with environmental issues including a paper mill dumping toxic effluent in the Fenholloway River and Gulf of Mexico; agricultural and residential runoff affecting springsheds and fisheries; and wildlife imperiled by human activities.

“My photography and my life overlap almost seamlessly,” Zamora said. “I make photographs because I want to share my love for life, and in doing so, intend that the people who come in contact with my photography experience a love for life too.”

Zamora is a freelance photographer who previously worked at the Florida Museum. He created the exhibit with regional nonprofit organizations with the goal of inspiring people to appreciate and protect the Nature Coast. The organizations include the Legacy Institute for Nature and Culture, Gulf Restoration Network, ConservationPhotographers.com, Save Our Suwannee, Wildlands Conservation, The Conservation Fund, Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, Citrus County Council, Audubon of Florida, SouthWings and Withlacoochee Area Residents Inc.