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.

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—altered floodplains, disrupted water flow, and the relentless expansion of 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.

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?

Supported by the LaValle Experiential Learning Fund