Joshua Tree National Park was once described by early explorers as a “profitless locality” and that it “shall be forever unvisited”.
A bit of time, visitation by those with a more discerning eye and the efforts of a determined woman resulted in the protection of a treasured place.

Imagery from the life of Duco, a Brazilian environmentalist, nature and bird-guide who found redemption in nature

The Scandinavian mountain range, the Scandes, runs through the border between Sweden and Norway. It covers most of Norway and stretches into the north-west regions of Sweden. These mountainous areas form some of Sweden's most remarkable wilderness.

We all need a good visual dose of the wonder of Nature sometimes, and we can't always get outside from behind the desk, to breathe it in. Here, we bring it to you, with these beautiful close-ups of our unique woodland bird species, photographed by Tasmanian bird ecologist Dr Eric Woehler (OAM). Take a moment and enjoy.

The two thousand-foot deep red sandstone canyon through Zion National Park is a majestic masterpiece, carved out over ancient time by the Virgin River. Known for its intense seasonal colours and dramatic vistas and established in 1919, Zion is Utah's first National Park.

Bruny Island is a haven for rare and unique birds and animals, and is one of the best bird-watching spots in Australia.

The aurora australis lights the skies of Southwest Tasmania. The next Dark Sky Sanctuary? Image: Dan Broun

Bruny Island is an island, off an island, off an island, surrounded by islands. Image: Nick Monk

Takayna / Tarkine is a hugely diverse wild landscape with an extraordinary history. Largely unprotected this region has huge potential for national park and world heritage status.

Dozens of species of native animals frequent the remnant moist gullies and bushland of the Mosman peninsula, from the Eastern Water Dragon to Peron's Tree Frog and the endangered Powerful Owl

Tasmania's marine environment is globally significant, with a rich mix of ecosystems and habitats fostering marine life found nowhere else on Earth

Southwest National Park in Tasmania is a vast, mostly trackless wilderness containing ancient forests, the wildest rivers, a glaciated and mountainous landscape and a spectacular coastline with rich aboriginal history.

The dramatic-looking rockhopper penguin is characterised by its red eyes, upright yellow head feathers along a supercilium stripe and a crest of black feathers on top. They are separated into three sub-species, photographer here by ecologist Dr Eric Woehler (OAM) and located around the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic zones.

The Scandinavian mountain range, the Scandes, runs through the border between Sweden and Norway. It covers most of Norway and stretches into the north-west regions of Sweden. These mountainous areas form some of Sweden's most remarkable wilderness.

The dusky dolphin is one of the smaller dolphin species with a maximum weight of about 85 kilograms and a length, of just over two metres. The dusky dolphin is a social species, known for its agility and coordinated acrobatic abilities.

Takayna / Tarkine is a hugely diverse wild landscape with an extraordinary history. Largely unprotected this region has huge potential for national park and world heritage status.

Bryce Canyon National Park in southern Utah is home to the greatest collection of distinctive spire-shaped rock formations called hoodoos on Earth. Its super-ancient sediment layering dates back to the end of the Cretaceous period, more than 66 million years ago.

Bruny Island is an island, off an island, off an island, surrounded by islands. Image: Nick Monk

Mountains, valleys, alpine lakes and green pastures - the beauty of Chitral & Gilgit-Baltistan. 

Snow leopards, golden marmot, markhor, golden eagles, lynx, and other wildlife species frequent the extraordinary region of Chitral & Gilgit Baltistan in Northern Pakistan

The two thousand-foot deep red sandstone canyon through Zion National Park is a majestic masterpiece, carved out over ancient time by the Virgin River. Known for its intense seasonal colours and dramatic vistas and established in 1919, Zion is Utah's first National Park.

The aurora australis lights the skies of Southwest Tasmania. The next Dark Sky Sanctuary? Image: Dan Broun

The fairy tern is a similar size to a hooded plover - so tiny, it would sit comfortably in the palm of your hand. They lay just two eggs, onto the beach sand. See these remarkable images from Tasmanian-based bird ecologist Dr Eric Woehler.

The diverse avifauna of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, includes, but not limited to a fascinating array of species locally known by distinct names that reflect the region’s cultural and ecological identity.