Terra Magica - Peter A. Dettling

T e r r a M a g i c a

Conservation

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W e l c o m e

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A r t i s t P r o f i l e

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P h o t o g r a p h y

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P a i n t i n g s

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P r i c i n g

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S h o p

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C o n s e r v a t i o n

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L i n k s

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C o n t a c t

Only after the last tree has been cut down,
Only after the last river has been poisoned,
Only after the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you find money cannot be eaten.

CREE PROPHECY

In 2002 Peter moved permanently from the heart of the Swiss Alps to the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

“Many people ask me in disbelief why I chose to live in Canada rather than in beautiful Switzerland. I quickly point out that I still feel very attached to Switzerland, but it’s the wild heart of the Rockies that I love so much. To be able to go out hiking into those vast lands where the rivers still run wild, where the grizzly is still the lord of its kingdom, where the call of the loon still echoes from the serene lakes, and where the eagle watches the salmon run from high up on his perch is spectacular. Many of those things have long disappeared from the heart of Europe.”

Since he became involved in the arts, Peter has been looking for a way to combine his art with his passion for conservation issues.

The artist supports currently two projects with his photography: The Yellowstone to Yukon conservation initiative in Canada and the WWF in Switzerland.

The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (also called Y2Y) is a partnership of conservation-minded organizations and individuals working together to maintain and restore the unique natural heritage of the Y2Y region. Their vision is simple: a healthy future for the wild heart of North America.
Peter Dettling self produces annually a calendar that showcases the beauty and diversity of the Y2Y region. Parts of the proceeds of those calendars are donated to the Y2Y organization.

The Yellowstone to the Yukon Conservation Initiative depends on the support of people just like you to bring this great vision to life. For more information, or how to become a member, please visit www.y2y.net today

The other environmental group Peter supports is the WWF (World Wide Fund of Nature) in Switzerland. Parts of the proceeds of the Swiss calendar will be donated to a WWF project, that supports the exciting and historic return of the big predators in the Alps. Top predators such as wolves, lynxes or bears have been extinct in the Swiss Alps between 1871 and 1904. In the 1970’s efforts were made to bring back the lynx. There is now an estimated population of 100 - 120 animals, mostly in the Western Part of Switzerland. Single wolves started to show up in the South Western Part of Switzerland in the mid 90’s. Unfortunately most of them were illegally killed. Just recently (August of 2005) a single bear was sighted in the Swiss National Park of Switzerland in Engadine.

Although the big predators seem to have a shy comeback in the Alps, there is still a lof of work to be done to persuade the people of their importance in a healthy ecosystem. Each and everyone can make a little difference by supporting organizations such as the World Wide Fund of Nature. Please visit www.wwf.org for more information and to learn how you can get involved.