BIO
On paper, he’s a biologist—at heart, a photographer and filmmaker. Jon A. Juárez is passionate about connecting people with nature through visual storytelling. His work spans conservation, environmental education and social engagement. He works as a photographer and videographer at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and also for NGOs like Rewilding Europe.
In his photography and microscopy workshops for children in Berlin and beyond, Jon has engaged over 2,500 young people with themes like insect decline, plastic pollution, and climate change. He’s also actively been working in projects supporting refugee children since 2016, combining his commitment to social and environmental justice.
Jon is a member of the Society for Nature Photography (GDT). His images have been exhibited and published internationally and awarded widely. He believes that photography can do more than capture beauty—it can build bridges, tell stories that matter, and inspire change.
Jon A. Juárez in Montphoto
2025
Finding light in the dark – tales of hope in conservation
Saturday
12:15
Main Auditorium
My love for nature began early, and biology seemed the obvious path. But it was through photography that I truly found my voice. Over the years, my camera led me far beyond aesthetics—into the heart of conservation stories.
In “Light in the Dark”, I reflect on a journey that has taken me from the north of Europe to the south of Africa. I’ve worked with scientists, rangers, and visionaries fighting to protect what remains—be it the last two northern white rhinos (BioRescue Project), endangered vultures, or long-lost sturgeons in Swedish rivers.
From the BioRescue Project’s groundbreaking work with embryo transfers and stem cells, to GAIA’s satellite-guided efforts against wildlife crime and ecology monitoring, and finally to the sturgeon’s comeback in Sweden—these are stories not of despair, but of persistence, imagination, and collaboration.
This talk was not just about loss. It was about the spark of hope that remains when people refuse to give up—about how science, storytelling, and stubborn optimism can make a difference.
