“Environmental Photographer of the Year 2025”• 2025• Hyrcanian Forests near Gorgan, Golestan Province, Iran
Archive Index
"Environmental Photographer of the Year 2025 — A study in texture, memory, and environmental presence."
The Circle of Hyrcanian Hope is an aerial photograph taken on 24 January 2025 in the Hyrcanian forests near Gorgan, Golestan Province, Iran, using a DJI Mini 2 drone.
The photograph shows a group of local volunteers, predominantly children and teenagers, gathered in a circular formation within the ancient Hyrcanian forests. The participants were involved in a local forest restoration initiative, digging planting holes and contributing to the regeneration of the natural environment.
The image documents a community-based response to environmental degradation and presents a practical example of a nature-based approach. The Hyrcanian forests are an ancient ecosystem of exceptional ecological importance, supporting biodiversity and providing vital environmental functions. In this setting, environmental education and hands-on restoration connect younger generations directly with the protection of their natural heritage.
The circular human formation creates a strong visual relationship between people and the forest. Viewed from above, the participants become part of the landscape itself, while their elongated shadows emphasize the scale and collective nature of their action. The circle suggests cooperation, continuity and a shared responsibility extending across generations.
Rather than focusing solely on environmental loss, the photograph emphasizes participation and hope. The presence of children and young people transforms forest restoration from an abstract environmental issue into a tangible community activity. Their involvement represents an intergenerational connection in which environmental knowledge, responsibility and action can be passed to the next generation.
The Circle of Hyrcanian Hope was submitted to the Inspired by Nature – Fighting Back Together category of Environmental Photographer of the Year 2025, a category focused on how people learn from and work with nature to address climate change, water security, pollution, biodiversity loss and disaster risk through nature-based solutions and restoration.
The photograph therefore connects three themes: the ecological value of the Hyrcanian forest, collective community action, and the role of younger generations in environmental stewardship. Its aerial perspective turns a small local act of restoration into a broader visual statement about collective responsibility for the future of a threatened natural ecosystem.
