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The Art of Conservation

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The Wilderness River Expedition Art Foundation (WREAF) incorporated February 11, 2005 to mobilize artists in a unique way to contribute to the public discussion of conservation. Combining art and science with adventure, WREAF works to provide artists with intimate, intense and "real" experience of wilderness to inspire their work, and the strength of numbers and prestigious venues within which to participate in the public dialogue. Working with Mad River Canoe, Eureka Canada and others, WREAF organizes wilderness art expeditions and group shows by expedition artists.

Working with the Smithsonian Institution's Arctic Studies Center, the exhibitions present the art within an educational scientific context. WREAF's current focus is the Boreal Forest ecosystem, the largest intact forest on Earth. Critical for climate, water, habitat, native culture, timber, minerals and energy, it is nearby, unappreciated, and threatened by unsustainable development making it one of the greatest and most pressing conservation opportunities anywhere. For information beyond that provided on this site, please visit our partner Web site: http://www.wreaf-borealrivers.org/

A growing number of internationally known artists including some of the best in the world, such as Robert Bateman (Canada) have participated in expeditions. An equally first rate support crew includes renowned adventure writers/photographers Gary and Joanie McGuffin, Dr. Stephen Loring, anthropologist (Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History) and World Whitewater Freestyle Kayak Champion Ken Whiting.

In November 2005, WREAF Director Rob Mullen, Dr. Stephen Loring and Dr. William Fitzhugh secured a commitment from the Exhibition Director at the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) to host an exhibit of work from all the expeditions to date within the Boreal Forest ecosystem at the (NMNH).

That NMNH Exhibition Director left the museum in 2006 before an agreement was signed and the proposal had to be rewritten and resubmitted the new Director in 2007. As of September 2008 we are in the final stage of that approval process and will continue it after Dr. Loring returns from the 2008 field season.

WREAF builds on the art expeditions to wilderness rivers of the Boreal Forest led by Director Rob Mullen and supported by Mad River Canoe Company since 2001. Mad River extended their support to WREAF along with numerous other additional sponsors including Governmental, corporate and private entities. The first expedition organized under the aegis of WREAF was the September 2005 George River Recon Expedition, run in preparation for the main expedition in 2006. This complex and expensive expedition was a complete success and insured a safe and productive art expedition in 2006 despite challenging conditions.

WREAF's newest partner is the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) which joined in to fund the October, 2008 Lake Kamestastin expedition. Both WREAF and CWF are looking forward to a long and productive partnership.

With world-class artists and paddlers, the world's largest museum, expert researchers, wide media coverage and the romantically wild rivers of the north, we have an opportunity to significantly add to the public awareness and discussion of conservation issues in our wilderness regions and in particular, this greatest and least known of terrestrial wilderness ecosystems, the Boreal Forest.

WREAF is a Delaware non-profit corporation and has applied for 501(c) 3 status with the IRS. Once granted that status will be retro-active to the date of incorporation; February 11, 2005.