Edmondson, Dudley
Dudley Edmondson
Dudley Edmondson is an author, wildlife enthusiast, photographer, videographer, and public speaker. His photography is featured worldwide in galleries and nearly 100 publications. He wrote the landmark book, Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, which profiled African Americans in nontraditional outdoor careers and activities. Edmondson also wrote the beginner’s flower field guide, What’s That Flower? In addition to photography and writing books, Edmondson expresses his passion for diversity in the outdoors by contributing to newspapers and magazines and lecturing regularly about this topic.
Check out Dudley Edmondson’s online exhibition at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum: https://www.mmam.org/dudley-Edmondson-onlinegre-exhibition
“In wilderness, the ability to embrace freedom and be your true self is the healing medicine the mind needs.” - Dudley Edmondson.
Edmondson, Dudley. 2006. Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. Adventure Publications.
Edmondson, Dudley. 2013. What’s that Flower?: A Beginner’s Guide to Wildflowers. DK Books.
Dudley Edmondson was born in 1962 to Doug and Betty Edmondson. Edmondson and his two siblings grew up in Columbus, Ohio. His father was a retired steel worker, and his mother was a housewife. Growing up, Edmondson was exposed to nature and the outdoors constantly. During those times, he found comfort in the peace and quiet: “Getting outdoors on family picnics that were usually on weekends was my way of exploring the world.” Thus began his lifelong love of nature and the environment.
In 1997, he began submitting photos for picture books and bird guides. At that time, he met and began to work with an author of nature books and a publishing company. The author wrote books that covered plants, mammals, and birds all over the country. Edmondson took most of the photos featured in those books. It was an excellent opportunity for him personally and financially. The job paid Edmondson to travel and do what he loved.
Today Edmondson is an author, wildlife enthusiast, photographer, and videographer. His photography is featured worldwide in galleries and nearly 100 publications. He was the first to display the contributions of African Americans to the public lands system. Displeased at the scarcity of people who looked like him among those he encountered in his outdoor pursuits, Edmondson wrote Black & Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places (2006), a groundbreaking book highlighting environmental and outdoor recreation icons. He used his photography skills to make the images and created an accompanying volume suited to a young audience. In 2010, because of his book and other conservation work, Edmondson was invited to The White House for the signing of America’s Great Outdoors Initiative.
Edmondson seeks to increase inclusivity within the conservation movement as he is eager to share the richness of the outdoors with all people in the US, particularly those of African descent. Edmondson leads a life to inspire others to adopt an outdoor lifestyle. He is a birder who climbs mountains as effortlessly as stroking his kayak through the Everglades wilderness.
Edmondson recently published, What’s That Flower?, a field guide to common wildflowers of the eastern United States.
Edmondson has received several awards for his inspiration and contribution to the outdoor and environmental sectors. In 2008, he received the Faces in Conservation Award from The Wilderness Society for his wildlife photography. In 2012, the Secretary of the Interior named him a judge for the Federal Migratory Birding Hunting and Conservation Duck Stamp, the only art competition sponsored by the U.S Government and a once-in-a-lifetime honor and.
In his honor in 2010, the Seattle YMCA established The Dudley Edmondson Fellowship in Youth Development and Education. The fellowship offers youth of color a paid 15-month fellowship to study leadership and life skills. Recently he became part of the Diverse Environmental Leaders Speaker Bureau (DEL) and travels around the country speaking to audiences about conservation and inclusion. He also works with youth of color through outdoor programs around the country.
The Dudley Edmondson Fellowship offers a 15-month (two summers and one school year) fellowship based in Seattle, Washington. The fellowship is a “path for young adults from underrepresented backgrounds into the outdoor industry.” Fellows have the opportunity to gain meaningful outdoor experiences, complete certification in CPR and First Aid, utilize their YMCA membership, and earn a stipend. For more information, please see this brochure for the Dudley Edmonson Fellowship. “True freedom lies in wilderness. It’s why I’ve spent much of my life encouraging people of color to explore these spaces.” - Dudley Edmondson
Dudley Edmondson Website. 2022. https://dudleyEdmondson.com/
Interview conducted by Multicultural Environmental Leadership Development Initiative staff. 2016. University of Michigan – School of Natural Resources and Environment. Ann Arbor, MI.
Survey conducted by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative staff. 2022-2023. Yale University- School of the Environment. New Haven, Connecticut.
Taylor, Dorceta (Ed.). 2005. The Paths We Thread: Profiles of the Careers of Minority Environmental Professionals. Minority Environmental Leadership Development Initiative, University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment.
Dudley Edmondson