Conversations of the Valley - A Public Affairs Luncheon

Under the Surface: Teens Find Hope Through Underwater Photography” with guest speaker Ben Thwaits of Northwest Passage Ben Thwaits leads high-impact therapeutic nature photography programming for teens struggling with severe mental health challenges. Through creative immersion in wild places, Ben’s students discover the strongest side of themselves. As their award-winning work has been viewed by millions through nationwide art exhibitions, on PBS, and even on the big screen at major league ball games, Ben’s students are re-defining the potential of our most marginalized young people. Recently, Ben’s students have been diving under surface of the St. Croix River and beyond, cameras in hand, revealing an unprecedented story of otherwise unseen beauty. Ben holds a B.A. in Biology and Neuroscience from St. Olaf College and a M.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota, where he conducted research on migratory behavior of salmon. However, he migrated away from science to professionally embrace his lifelong passion for nature photography. His program, called In a New Light, emerged in 2010 at Northwest Passage, a non-profit mental health treatment organization based in Webster, WI. Ben is a TEDx speaker and frequently presents to groups related to conservation, mental health, and the arts.