Gathering Growth: Working to Visually Preserve the Legacy of Significant Trees
Illustrated Talk by photographer archivist Brian Kelley
Presented at the Museum July 31, 2026.
This program was co-hosted by the FI Conservancy and the Henry L. Ferguson Museum
Brian Kelley presents on his work documenting the oldest and largest trees in the U.S. through Gathering Growth Foundation. Rooted in the belief that conservation is as much cultural as it is scientific, Kelley’s work seeks to create a deeper public connection to the natural world. His images serve not only as documentation, but as acts of remembrance, grounded in the idea that before a landscape can be protected, it must first be known, and before it can be known, it must be remembered.
About Brian
Brian Kelley received his BFA in photography from the School of Visual Arts. He is dedicated to visually preserving the legacy of trees and forests while raising awareness about their protection. In 2019, he founded the Gathering Growth Foundation to expand his work beyond champion trees, building a growing archive of significant trees and forest landscapes across the United States. To date, the foundation has documented over 1,300 trees and is currently completing its first publication, Gathering Growth Vol. 1: New York.
Kelley’s extensive work in still-life photography continues to support his artistic pursuit of providing to the cultural archive of American ephemera and landscape—including other long-term projects such as The National Park Service Brochures Archive and the Archive of NYCTA Artifacts.
