Luca Martinez. Resilience in their eyes.

Burrowing owls, once thriving in open prairies, now nest in patches of grass near residential developments, soccer fields, and even airports where this pair made a home. Despite the chaos and noise, they persist, they continue to dig their burrows and, as captured here, they remain committed to fiercely guarding their young. Zoom in and you’ll recognize the resilience in their eyes.

Luca Martinez is a 20-year-old conservation filmmaker, speaker, and Emmy award-winning storyteller. With a focus on preserving wild spaces, he’s reached over 400 million viewers, sharing the beauty and importance of the Everglades. Luca speaks globally about the wonders of wetlands and the impact of youth voices in conservation. Growing up in Miami Luca witnessed wild Florida being traded and taken away for development, fueling his mission to rewrite its future. He hopes to be doing this forever.

Follow Luca on Instagram @lucamartinez.fl.