The wetlands surrounding DeLand, Florida, are disappearing. Through my photography, I seek to document this loss, capturing the erosion of these fragile ecosystems and the silent death of pine trees that once thrived along their edges. Using a combination of drone imagery and traditional photography, my project provides visual evidence of the environmental consequences of unchecked commercial real estate development.

To find the right site, I traveled to 10 different wetlands around DeLand, scouting locations that reflected the most visible and striking ecological deterioration. After careful observation and test shots, I selected a wetland that showed clear signs of human impact, altered floodplains, skeletal trees, and the encroachment of development. I used a DJI drone to capture aerial perspectives, highlighting patterns of destruction invisible from the ground. At the same time, my DSLR allowed for ground-level compositions that emphasize the textures and micro-details of decay.

The gray, skeletal remains of trees encircling the wetlands stand as stark markers of disruption. Their decline is not a natural cycle but a direct result of human interference, which disrupted water flow and relentlessly expanded suburban neighborhoods into spaces that once sustained rich biodiversity. These images are more than just documentation; they serve as a call to recognize and question the impact of development on our natural world.

This work was installed in House of Echoes, the 2025 Senior Exhibition at the Hand Art Center on Stetson University’s campus. The exhibition showcases the culmination of each student’s creative research and artistic development during their time in the Digital Arts program. Presenting this project in the gallery allowed me to communicate the urgency of environmental preservation to a broader audience and encourage a dialogue around local ecological responsibility.

Through this project, I challenge viewers to witness what is often overlooked: the slow unraveling of an ecosystem and the urgent need for conservation. The wetlands are dying, and the evidence is in plain sight. The question remains: will we choose to see it?

Displayed: House of Echoes — Hand Art Center, Stetson University — April 2025

Supported by: The LaValle Experiential Learning Fund