Volunteer Spotlight: Mike Melton

Mike Melton’s love for birds and wildlife is captured in the images he shares with others. Part of his goal as a volunteer is to show how important it is to protect the special places here, in our own backyard. While he’s taken pictures his whole life, his interest has recently taken on a new dimension. Mike started offering his talents to Capitol Land Trust through photography and videography using his handheld camera and drone. If you have watched our videos that take flight over Inspiring Kids Preserve or underwater salmon footage from Bayshore Preserve, you’ve seen Mike’s work in action.

Mike’s photography takes us on virtual tours from perspectives we cannot usually experience and provides a fresh look at these important natural places. Virtual tours to learn about local conservation have been especially important as in-person events were curtailed during the pandemic to keep staff and members safe and healthy. Mike’s photography was a valuable part of telling our story during CLT’s recent Conservation Breakfast.

His passion for storytelling through pictures is leading him to new projects. He began adding quality audio over his photos and in videos, such as the melodious song of the Pacific wren in our new “Bird of the Week” YouTube series. Some of these enchanting “sound bites” were recorded at one of Mike’s favorite CLT sites, Darlin Creek Preserve. His images go far to communicate to our broader community the importance of the conservation work CLT does. CLT’s efforts have been enriched by many photographers, like Mike, volunteering their time and passion to reveal and remind us of the rich landscape we call home.

If “a picture is worth a thousand words”, Mike’s photography speaks volumes. While nothing really takes the place of being out in nature, Mike’s work helps us connect and appreciate the wild places of our area. As more areas in our region are developed, the “bird’s-eye view” of his aerials drive home how conserved lands are refuges for wildlife (and people) in an ever-changing landscape.

Thank you for all you do!