On Tuesday, January 13, MAR hosted a screening of The Book of George at the President Barack Obama Main Library. It was an evening to connect with conservation photographer George McKenzie Jr. and his story of perseverance and wildlife conservation. After screening his documentary, George engaged in a question and answer session, led by MAR’s Executive Director, Dr. Michelle Ellena. They spoke about the transformative power of nature and how it can inspire us to be the best version of ourselves and to dream big.
George, like many of us, moved to Florida and fell in love with the environment. The variety of ecosystems and hundreds of parks and trails spark a desire to explore and evoke a deep sense of connection to the land. The imagery George captures of wild Florida brings people closer to the environment and inspires them to protect it. George’s work brings a snapshot of Florida’s beautiful natural spaces to those who may not be in its immediate proximity. It is a reminder of why many of us moved here in the first place and what we are working to conserve.
A key takeaway from George’s message was to dream big. His story reminded us that bold dreams, combined with action, can lead to meaningful impact. His dream of moving to Florida to pursue wildlife photography was made possible by taking the necessary steps to make his dream a reality. At times, it can be more comfortable to stay in the cycles of our lives that hold us back, but George showed us that we have the strength to take the leap and break the cycle.
We are so grateful for George and the opportunity to screen his documentary and learn from his experiences. Thank you, George, for sharing your story and thank you to everyone who joined in the screening for your thoughtful questions and contributions.
If you would like to connect with him or see more of his work, his information is listed below:
Instagram: @georgemckenziejr
Website: https://www.georgemckenziejr.com
Email: george@georgemckenziejr.com
Event Photos
