The History of Ripple Effects Photo Projects
Ripple Effects International is a collaborative, cross-cultural initiative helping people learn more about the natural world, develop empathy for others, and appreciate nature while advocating for its preservation.
Ripple Effects began in Louisville, Kentucky, USA when a group of community volunteers collaborated to host a photo contest inviting students from kindergarten through secondary school to submit images related to the importance of water in our community.
We chose to focus on water because Louisville is on the Ohio River and has an abundance of smaller rivers and streams that support an abundance of plant and animal life. But we are also subject to more frequent and severe flood-related events as a result of the changes to climate and we feel it’s important to bring attention to this, as well as the strategies that local activists and organizations have developed to help deal with these events and protect our waterways.
The first contest took place in 2021. Some of the images reflected the beauty of our natural environment, some recorded problems we need to address, and some helped celebrate the successes we’ve had in addressing problems and protecting our waterways.
The images included in Ripple Effects – Louisville have been exhibited at the Kentucky State Fair, displayed during an event on the Belle of Louisville—the last authentic steamboat from the American packet boat era—and were featured in the program of the 2023 Festival of Faiths.
By recording our own experiences with water in our community and sharing them with others both in our own region and here on Ripple Effects International, we hope to help others appreciate the importance of water to us all.
Ripple Effects International 