It’s been a while..
THE WILD LAND PROJECT
VLOG #2 - UPDATE
What We Protect Begins With What We Notice
Hey friend. It’s been a while, so I want to reintroduce myself.
I’m Eco-Sam, and I believe that what we protect begins with what we notice.
About a year ago, I started noticing something that changed me: thousands of acres of jungle being cleared right outside where I live. I don’t go deep into the jungle often (snakes, jaguars, and spiders… oh my), but I’ve felt connected to the forest my whole life. So watching it disappear has been devastating.
Every time I drive into town for supplies, I pass new clearings. New burns. A vast expanse that used to be jungle.
And my mind goes where it doesn’t want to go, to the habitats lost and the creatures that were still there, burrowed deep beneath roots when the machines came through. That image has haunted me more times than I can count.
On my way home, there’s a billboard put up by a local conservation group. It says:
“The animals need the forest. The forest needs you.”
Seeing the destruction and then seeing that sign, I kept asking myself: how can people witness this and do nothing?
And then one day I realized: I was doing the same.
So I decided enough is enough.
I’m Not Here to Scream About the Past, I’m Here to Protect the Future
I can’t change what’s already been cleared. That land has already been transformed into something new.
But I can work to protect as much intact jungle as possible from being developed in the future, so it can never be destroyed.
Humans love progress. We love to build and create. But too often, developers look at a vast expanse of land and only see profit margins and dollar signs.
When I look at the jungle, I see something sacred. Something to protect and behold. A place that holds biodiversity and life, the breath and pulse of our planet.
Developers will not stop. Migration will not cease. Profit will always be something people chase.
So my job is not to change human nature. My job is to rally the people who see land as a precious commodity, and bring them together to protect as much of it as we can.
How Eco-Sam’s Prints With Purpose Was Born
I’m doing this by colliding land protection with my other passion: nature photography.
For years, I dreamed of seeing my art on the walls of people who admire it, but I told myself it wasn’t possible. I’m realizing now that it is.
And I’ve also always felt my art needed a bigger purpose.
This is it.
Prints With Purpose was born from a simple idea: art that reconnects people to nature, while directly funding the protection of the wild.
The Wild Land Project
With Prints With Purpose, 50% of all net profits go toward buying land to keep it wild.
I’m calling this effort The Wild Land Project.
Right now, it’s in its infancy. It’s a small fund at the moment, and I still have a job. Like most people, I’m balancing a lot: work, health, my business, my dog, and all the everyday life things.
But this mission is number one on my heart.
And the vision is big. In the future, I want The Wild Land Project to become a nonprofit so we can accept donations, and eventually grow into a world land trust, protecting land for the wild worldwide.
A Commitment Moving Forward
The last time you heard from me was back in December when I first launched my website, and I know that was too long.
So I’m changing that.
From now on, I’m dedicating myself to a non-negotiable update every two weeks, no matter how big or small. In the next update, I’ll share what I’ve been working on over the last couple of months, plus some exciting things on the horizon that I can’t wait to reveal.
How You Can Support (If You Feel Called)
If you’re still here with me, I’m grateful. I’d love to have your eyes, your support, and whatever it is that you feel called to do.
If you’d like to support the mission, you can:
Visit the shop and choose a piece that speaks to you
Share Eco-Sam’s mission with someone who would care
Stay along for the ride as we grow this together
And if a product isn’t right for you right now, that’s okay. Being here matters too.
Lower-cost products will be coming soon so more people can join in on the impact.
Thank you for being here. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day.
With wild love and deep respect,
