Conservation
Martin Urch offers a balanced retrospective between his eye-catching commercial work and support for environmental conservation. Martin’s visual storytelling is matched by his philanthropy to support sea and forest, flora and fauna conservation.
Tigers4Ever
When Martin was asked to become a Trustee to Tigers4Ever, it was readily accepted. All of the profit from sales of Martin’s photographs of Bandhavgarh tigers go towards supporting the energetic registered Charity that was established in 2010. The charity runs anti-poaching patrols, who play a huge role in keeping tigers safe in the zone that surrounds Bandhavgarh National Park, and it funds several additional community focussed projects to encourage those living with wild tigers to protect them and ensure they have wild futures. Tigers4Ever provide permanent wildlife waterholes/reducing human-animal conflict; vital equipment for forest patrols; and educational resources to enable children from the poorest rural communities to gain education/improved employment prospects. The charity also works tirelessly with the Forest Department to ensure farmers are promptly compensated for loss of livestock, and to quickly dispose of the carcasses, preventing retaliation. Partnership with Tigers4Ever reflects Martin’s personal commitment to protecting wild tigers and woodland environments.
Secrets Of The Solent
Martin lives next to the sea in Hampshire, England, and is familiar with the Solent above and below the water. He is a Marine Ambassador to Secrets Of The Solent (SOTS) assisting in communications and photography. SOTS is a four-year project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is celebrating the amazing people and wildlife that share the Solent's waters. The Solent is a special place, with endless surprises just beneath its surface. There are vast seagrass meadows and intricate chalk reefs, as well as fascinating species like seahorses, thresher sharks, and cuttlefish. The SOTS venture aims to shine a conservation spotlight on this vibrant marine environment. The project joins with those who use the Solent for work or leisure to defend vulnerable species and habitats, and collaborates with restaurants and businesses to champion the local sustainable fishing industry. SOTS also collect vital wildlife data to help secure better protections, and bring the secret underwater world to life on land through street art and photography.
