FOUNDER AND CREATOR
FOUNDER AND CREATOR
Bear Kirkpatrick is creator, director, and producer of the Tree of Life Project. As founder of Lumen Arts, he has produced high-concept media projects for prestigious clients including Robert Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Hermès Maison, managing complex productions that seamlessly blend artistic innovation with meticulous project management. Wilson praises Bear's "restless curiosity" and notes that his work is "not mere documentation; it's a dance, a conversation between artist and subject" where Bear "leads with a quiet grace that coaxes forth the extraordinary." His ability to translate abstract creative concepts into executable timelines has led to installations at the Louvre, Villa Panza, and collaborations with artists like Carrie Mae Weems, demonstrating his rare capacity to thrive at the intersection of art, creative strategy, and logistics.
His multidisciplinary background began with an MFA in creative writing, which led to publishing short stories in national literary magazines and writing a screenplay that was produced as a feature film premiering at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Bear's literary accomplishments earned him recognition as a Tennessee Williams Fellow at the Sewanee Writers' Conference and appointment as the Roger F. Murray Chair in Creative Writing at Phillips Academy. His artistic journey expanded into visual arts when he established a metalworking studio, creating pieces acquired by collectors throughout New England—including horror master Stephen King—before evolving into a custom metalworking and woodworking practice serving high-profile clients like Bono, Adam Clayton, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff in both the US and Europe. His photographic and video artwork has been featured in international publications, exhibited in galleries across the United States, and honored with two International Photography Awards. Currently serving as Senior Brand & Creative Strategist at Biophilica, Bear continues to push boundaries in multimedia storytelling while developing his Tree of Life project, merging artistic vision with environmental conservation.
Bear Kirkpatrick is creator, director, and producer of the Tree of Life Project. As founder of Lumen Arts, he has produced high-concept media projects for prestigious clients including Robert Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Hermès Maison, managing complex productions that seamlessly blend artistic innovation with meticulous project management. Wilson praises Bear's "restless curiosity" and notes that his work is "not mere documentation; it's a dance, a conversation between artist and subject" where Bear "leads with a quiet grace that coaxes forth the extraordinary." His ability to translate abstract creative concepts into executable timelines has led to installations at the Louvre, Villa Panza, and collaborations with artists like Carrie Mae Weems, demonstrating his rare capacity to thrive at the intersection of art, creative strategy, and logistics.
His multidisciplinary background began with an MFA in creative writing, which led to publishing short stories in national literary magazines and writing a screenplay that was produced as a feature film premiering at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Bear's literary accomplishments earned him recognition as a Tennessee Williams Fellow at the Sewanee Writers' Conference and appointment as the Roger F. Murray Chair in Creative Writing at Phillips Academy. His artistic journey expanded into visual arts when he established a metalworking studio, creating pieces acquired by collectors throughout New England—including horror master Stephen King—before evolving into a custom metalworking and woodworking practice serving high-profile clients like Bono, Adam Clayton, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff in both the US and Europe. His photographic and video artwork has been featured in international publications, exhibited in galleries across the United States, and honored with two International Photography Awards. Currently serving as Senior Brand & Creative Strategist at Biophilica, Bear continues to push boundaries in multimedia storytelling while developing his Tree of Life project, merging artistic vision with environmental conservation.
Bear Kirkpatrick is creator, director, and producer of the Tree of Life Project. As founder of Lumen Arts, he has produced high-concept media projects for prestigious clients including Robert Wilson, Lady Gaga, and Hermès Maison, managing complex productions that seamlessly blend artistic innovation with meticulous project management. Wilson praises Bear's "restless curiosity" and notes that his work is "not mere documentation; it's a dance, a conversation between artist and subject" where Bear "leads with a quiet grace that coaxes forth the extraordinary." His ability to translate abstract creative concepts into executable timelines has led to installations at the Louvre, Villa Panza, and collaborations with artists like Carrie Mae Weems, demonstrating his rare capacity to thrive at the intersection of art, creative strategy, and logistics.
His multidisciplinary background began with an MFA in creative writing, which led to publishing short stories in national literary magazines and writing a screenplay that was produced as a feature film premiering at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Bear's literary accomplishments earned him recognition as a Tennessee Williams Fellow at the Sewanee Writers' Conference and appointment as the Roger F. Murray Chair in Creative Writing at Phillips Academy. His artistic journey expanded into visual arts when he established a metalworking studio, creating pieces acquired by collectors throughout New England—including horror master Stephen King—before evolving into a custom metalworking and woodworking practice serving high-profile clients like Bono, Adam Clayton, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff in both the US and Europe. His photographic and video artwork has been featured in international publications, exhibited in galleries across the United States, and honored with two International Photography Awards. Currently serving as Senior Brand & Creative Strategist at Biophilica, Bear continues to push boundaries in multimedia storytelling while developing his Tree of Life project, merging artistic vision with environmental conservation.
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD
DR. RUSS MITTERMEIER
Dr. Russ Mittermeier serves as Global Wildlife Conservation's Chief Conservation Officer, leveraging his extensive experience to protect biodiversity hotspots and wilderness areas after previously serving as Conservation International's president from 1989 to 2014. Named a "Hero for the Planet" by TIME magazine, he's a world leader in biodiversity and tropical forest conservation who has traveled to 169 countries and conducted fieldwork in over 30, with particular focus on Amazonia, Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, and Madagascar. Since 1977, he has chaired the IUCN Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group while also holding positions at multiple academic and conservation institutions. Mittermeier has been influential in protecting South America's Guiana Shield region, where he envisions conserving over 100 million hectares of pristine forest across multiple countries. A prolific researcher, he has described 18 new species, has 8 species named in his honor, and has published 35 books and more than 650 scientific and popular articles. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with tribal peoples in various conservation endeavors, demonstrating the strong connections between biodiversity and human cultural diversity.
Dr. Russ Mittermeier serves as Global Wildlife Conservation's Chief Conservation Officer, leveraging his extensive experience to protect biodiversity hotspots and wilderness areas after previously serving as Conservation International's president from 1989 to 2014. Named a "Hero for the Planet" by TIME magazine, he's a world leader in biodiversity and tropical forest conservation who has traveled to 169 countries and conducted fieldwork in over 30, with particular focus on Amazonia, Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, and Madagascar. Since 1977, he has chaired the IUCN Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group while also holding positions at multiple academic and conservation institutions. Mittermeier has been influential in protecting South America's Guiana Shield region, where he envisions conserving over 100 million hectares of pristine forest across multiple countries. A prolific researcher, he has described 18 new species, has 8 species named in his honor, and has published 35 books and more than 650 scientific and popular articles. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with tribal peoples in various conservation endeavors, demonstrating the strong connections between biodiversity and human cultural diversity.
Dr. Russ Mittermeier serves as Global Wildlife Conservation's Chief Conservation Officer, leveraging his extensive experience to protect biodiversity hotspots and wilderness areas after previously serving as Conservation International's president from 1989 to 2014. Named a "Hero for the Planet" by TIME magazine, he's a world leader in biodiversity and tropical forest conservation who has traveled to 169 countries and conducted fieldwork in over 30, with particular focus on Amazonia, Brazil's Atlantic Forest region, and Madagascar. Since 1977, he has chaired the IUCN Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group while also holding positions at multiple academic and conservation institutions. Mittermeier has been influential in protecting South America's Guiana Shield region, where he envisions conserving over 100 million hectares of pristine forest across multiple countries. A prolific researcher, he has described 18 new species, has 8 species named in his honor, and has published 35 books and more than 650 scientific and popular articles. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with tribal peoples in various conservation endeavors, demonstrating the strong connections between biodiversity and human cultural diversity.
In Memoriam: E.O. WILSON (1929-2021)
In Memoriam: E.O. WILSON (1929-2021)
E.O. Wilson, was an American biologist, naturalist, and author who revolutionized our understanding of evolutionary biology, sociobiology, and conservation science over his seven-decade career. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Wilson was a Harvard professor and curator of entomology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology where he became the world's leading expert on ants, discovering hundreds of new species and pioneering the study of their social behaviors. His groundbreaking 1975 book "Sociobiology" and subsequent works controversially extended evolutionary principles to human social behavior, sparking intense academic debates while fundamentally changing how scientists view the biological basis of social behaviors. Beyond his scientific research, Wilson became one of the world's most prominent conservation advocates, developing the concept of "biophilia" (humanity's innate bond with nature) and championing the preservation of biodiversity through initiatives like the Half-Earth Project, which proposes dedicating half the planet's surface to nature. Recognized with over 100 awards including the National Medal of Science and the Crafoord Prize (ecology's equivalent to the Nobel), Wilson's interdisciplinary approach bridged biology, psychology, philosophy, and conservation science. After his death in December 2021 at age 92, Wilson left a profound legacy as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, having authored more than 30 books and hundreds of scientific papers that transformed multiple fields of study while inspiring generations of scientists and conservationists.
E.O. Wilson, was an American biologist, naturalist, and author who revolutionized our understanding of evolutionary biology, sociobiology, and conservation science over his seven-decade career. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Wilson was a Harvard professor and curator of entomology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology where he became the world's leading expert on ants, discovering hundreds of new species and pioneering the study of their social behaviors. His groundbreaking 1975 book "Sociobiology" and subsequent works controversially extended evolutionary principles to human social behavior, sparking intense academic debates while fundamentally changing how scientists view the biological basis of social behaviors. Beyond his scientific research, Wilson became one of the world's most prominent conservation advocates, developing the concept of "biophilia" (humanity's innate bond with nature) and championing the preservation of biodiversity through initiatives like the Half-Earth Project, which proposes dedicating half the planet's surface to nature. Recognized with over 100 awards including the National Medal of Science and the Crafoord Prize (ecology's equivalent to the Nobel), Wilson's interdisciplinary approach bridged biology, psychology, philosophy, and conservation science. After his death in December 2021 at age 92, Wilson left a profound legacy as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, having authored more than 30 books and hundreds of scientific papers that transformed multiple fields of study while inspiring generations of scientists and conservationists.
E.O. Wilson, was an American biologist, naturalist, and author who revolutionized our understanding of evolutionary biology, sociobiology, and conservation science over his seven-decade career. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Wilson was a Harvard professor and curator of entomology at the Museum of Comparative Zoology where he became the world's leading expert on ants, discovering hundreds of new species and pioneering the study of their social behaviors. His groundbreaking 1975 book "Sociobiology" and subsequent works controversially extended evolutionary principles to human social behavior, sparking intense academic debates while fundamentally changing how scientists view the biological basis of social behaviors. Beyond his scientific research, Wilson became one of the world's most prominent conservation advocates, developing the concept of "biophilia" (humanity's innate bond with nature) and championing the preservation of biodiversity through initiatives like the Half-Earth Project, which proposes dedicating half the planet's surface to nature. Recognized with over 100 awards including the National Medal of Science and the Crafoord Prize (ecology's equivalent to the Nobel), Wilson's interdisciplinary approach bridged biology, psychology, philosophy, and conservation science. After his death in December 2021 at age 92, Wilson left a profound legacy as one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, having authored more than 30 books and hundreds of scientific papers that transformed multiple fields of study while inspiring generations of scientists and conservationists.
ROBIN MOORE
Robin Moore is a visionary Scottish-born photographer whose creative lens captures the essence of endangered biodiversity worldwide. As a National Geographic Creative photographer, Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, and VP of Communications and Marketing at Re:wild, Moore blends his scientific background—having earned a PhD in biodiversity conservation from the University of Kent—with his passion for visual storytelling to create powerful conservation narratives. His groundbreaking "Search for Lost Frogs" initiative in 2010 mobilized scientists across 20 countries and led to 15 extraordinary rediscoveries of species long thought extinct, an achievement beautifully documented in his acclaimed book "In Search of Lost Frogs" and which inspired the broader "Search for Lost Species" campaign. Moore's commitment to community engagement shines through his "Frame of Mind" program, which empowers Haitian youth to connect with their natural and cultural heritage through photography, while his advocacy work in Jamaica successfully protected the country's largest nature reserve from development through strategic visual storytelling. His artistic sensitivity and conservation impact gained international recognition when his poignant image of hatchling Jamaican iguanas—among the world's rarest lizards—cradled in a researcher's hands was selected as a Finalist in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 competition.
Robin Moore is a visionary Scottish-born photographer whose creative lens captures the essence of endangered biodiversity worldwide. As a National Geographic Creative photographer, Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, and VP of Communications and Marketing at Re:wild, Moore blends his scientific background—having earned a PhD in biodiversity conservation from the University of Kent—with his passion for visual storytelling to create powerful conservation narratives. His groundbreaking "Search for Lost Frogs" initiative in 2010 mobilized scientists across 20 countries and led to 15 extraordinary rediscoveries of species long thought extinct, an achievement beautifully documented in his acclaimed book "In Search of Lost Frogs" and which inspired the broader "Search for Lost Species" campaign. Moore's commitment to community engagement shines through his "Frame of Mind" program, which empowers Haitian youth to connect with their natural and cultural heritage through photography, while his advocacy work in Jamaica successfully protected the country's largest nature reserve from development through strategic visual storytelling. His artistic sensitivity and conservation impact gained international recognition when his poignant image of hatchling Jamaican iguanas—among the world's rarest lizards—cradled in a researcher's hands was selected as a Finalist in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 competition.
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
Isabella Rossellini, daughter of filmmaker Roberto Rossellini and actress Ingrid Bergman, grew up in Paris and Rome before moving to New York City at 19, where she initially worked as a translator and journalist for RAI-Italian Television. Beginning her modeling career at the relatively advanced age of 28, she became an enduring style icon, appearing on numerous magazine covers and serving as Lancôme's exclusive spokesperson for 14 years until being dropped at age 40, only to be rehired in 2016 to promote inclusiveness and fight against "ageism." Her distinguished acting career includes memorable roles in films like "Blue Velvet," "Death Becomes Her," and "Joy," working with acclaimed directors such as David Lynch, Robert Zemeckis, and David O. Russell. Beyond acting, Rossellini has created award-winning short film series about animal behavior including "Green Porno," "Seduce Me," and "Mammas," reflecting her academic pursuits in animal behavior and conservation at Hunter College. She balances her artistic career with running an organic farm in Brookhaven, Long Island, while also dedicating herself to preserving her family's extraordinary cinematic heritage. A mother of two, Rossellini continues to work across multiple creative disciplines, recently appearing in television series for SKY ARTS and Hulu.
Isabella Rossellini, daughter of filmmaker Roberto Rossellini and actress Ingrid Bergman, grew up in Paris and Rome before moving to New York City at 19, where she initially worked as a translator and journalist for RAI-Italian Television. Beginning her modeling career at the relatively advanced age of 28, she became an enduring style icon, appearing on numerous magazine covers and serving as Lancôme's exclusive spokesperson for 14 years until being dropped at age 40, only to be rehired in 2016 to promote inclusiveness and fight against "ageism." Her distinguished acting career includes memorable roles in films like "Blue Velvet," "Death Becomes Her," and "Joy," working with acclaimed directors such as David Lynch, Robert Zemeckis, and David O. Russell. Beyond acting, Rossellini has created award-winning short film series about animal behavior including "Green Porno," "Seduce Me," and "Mammas," reflecting her academic pursuits in animal behavior and conservation at Hunter College. She balances her artistic career with running an organic farm in Brookhaven, Long Island, while also dedicating herself to preserving her family's extraordinary cinematic heritage. A mother of two, Rossellini continues to work across multiple creative disciplines, recently appearing in television series for SKY ARTS and Hulu.
Dr. BRIAN GREENE
Brian Greene is Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University, renowned for groundbreaking discoveries in mathematical physics and superstring theory, including co-discoveries of mirror symmetry and topology change. His bestselling books, including "The Elegant Universe" (a Pulitzer Prize finalist with over one million copies sold), "The Fabric of the Cosmos," and "The Hidden Reality," have established him as what the Washington Post called "the single best explainer of abstruse concepts in the world today." His fable "Icarus at the Edge of Time" has been adapted into a live performance featuring original music by Philip Glass and performed nearly 50 times worldwide. Professor Greene has hosted Emmy-nominated NOVA specials, made numerous media appearances, and had cameos in Hollywood films and television shows including "The Big Bang Theory." As director of Columbia's Center for Theoretical Physics and co-founder of the World Science Festival with producer Tracy Day, Greene continues to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding.
Brian Greene is Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Columbia University, renowned for groundbreaking discoveries in mathematical physics and superstring theory, including co-discoveries of mirror symmetry and topology change. His bestselling books, including "The Elegant Universe" (a Pulitzer Prize finalist with over one million copies sold), "The Fabric of the Cosmos," and "The Hidden Reality," have established him as what the Washington Post called "the single best explainer of abstruse concepts in the world today." His fable "Icarus at the Edge of Time" has been adapted into a live performance featuring original music by Philip Glass and performed nearly 50 times worldwide. Professor Greene has hosted Emmy-nominated NOVA specials, made numerous media appearances, and had cameos in Hollywood films and television shows including "The Big Bang Theory." As director of Columbia's Center for Theoretical Physics and co-founder of the World Science Festival with producer Tracy Day, Greene continues to bridge the gap between complex scientific concepts and public understanding.
SHAHID NAEEM
Shahid Naeem is Professor of Ecology in the Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology and Director of the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability at Columbia University. He obtained his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, was a postdoctoral fellow at Imperial College of London, the University of Copenhagen, and University of Michigan. He has served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, the University of Washington, and currently serves on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Recipient of the Ecological Society of America’s Buell and Mercer Awards and the Lenfest Distinguished Faculty award at Columbia University, he is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an Aldo Leopold Leadership fellow. Considered among the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” in environmental and ecological science by Thompson Reuters in 2016, his teaching, research, and publications focus on the importance of biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide humanity.
Shahid Naeem is Professor of Ecology in the Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology and Director of the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability at Columbia University. He obtained his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, was a postdoctoral fellow at Imperial College of London, the University of Copenhagen, and University of Michigan. He has served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, the University of Washington, and currently serves on the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Recipient of the Ecological Society of America’s Buell and Mercer Awards and the Lenfest Distinguished Faculty award at Columbia University, he is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an Aldo Leopold Leadership fellow. Considered among the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” in environmental and ecological science by Thompson Reuters in 2016, his teaching, research, and publications focus on the importance of biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide humanity.
CONSULTING CONSERVATION SCIENTISTS
CONSULTING CONSERVATION SCIENTISTS
Dr. Ariadne Angulo
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
Phil Bishop
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group
Craig Stanford
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Tortoises & Turtles Specialist
Pedro Cardoso
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Spider & Scorpion Specialist Group
Sarina Jepsen
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Bumblebees Specialist Group
Sara Oldfield OBE
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Global Trees Specialist Group
Dr. Robin Moore
VP Communications & Marketing, Re:wild
Dr. Jim Henrich
Curator of Living Collections, Los Angeles Arboretum
Professor Adrian Newton
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Global Trees Specialist Group
Dr. Tigga Kingston
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group
Dr. Rodrigo Medellin Angulo
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group
Dr. Greg Mueller
Chief Scientists, Chicago Botanic Garden
Dr. Christoph Scheidegger
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Lichen Specialist Group
Dr. Viola Clausnitzer
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Dragonfly Specialist Group
Dr. Chris Jenkins
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Viper Specialist Group
Prof. Paul Williams
Co-Chair, IUCN SSC Bumblebee Specialist Group
info@TreeOfLifeProject.co
SIGN UP FOR OUR BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:
• Updates on tech development
•Updates on neuroscience & wellness integration
• Biodiversity land focus spotlights
• Endangered species spotlight
© 2025 Tree of Life Project. All rights reserved.
info@TreeOfLifeProject.co
SIGN UP FOR OUR BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:
• Updates on tech development
•Updates on neuroscience & wellness integration
• Biodiversity land focus spotlights
• Endangered species spotlight
© 2025 Tree of Life Project. All rights reserved.
info@TreeOfLifeProject.co
SIGN UP FOR OUR BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:
• Updates on tech development
•Updates on neuroscience & wellness integration
• Biodiversity land focus spotlights
• Endangered species spotlight
© 2025 Tree of Life Project. All rights reserved.