Meet the team - HAYDEN HANKE
My name is Hayden, and I am an Engagement Specialist Intern for Wild Commons.
Documentaries have played a huge role in shaping my fascination with the natural world. It is not often that I get to walk through African savannas or explore the Alaskan wilderness, but through film I can be transported to these places and learn about the species and ecosystems that make them so unique. That ability to connect people with places they may never visit is one of the reasons I am so passionate about environmental storytelling.
At Wild Commons, my primary focus is filmmaker engagement. Part of our mission is to discover environmental and conservation films and production companies with important stories to tell and help them reach broader audiences. By giving these films a platform and a second life, we create opportunities for filmmakers around the world to expand the impact of their work and inspire more people to care about our planet.
My own journey into storytelling began during the 2020 quarantine. With a Nikon D3300 and a small telescope, I spent countless nights photographing distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters from my cul-de-sac. Astrophotography quickly became more than a hobby—it changed the way I viewed the world. Capturing places thousands of lightyears away expanded my perspective beyond my immediate surroundings and gave me a deeper appreciation for Earth and everything that inhabits it.
Total Solar Eclipse taken in Cleveland, Ohio on April 8th, 2024
That experience eventually led me to study Environmental Studies and Biology at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. While in college, I conducted research on bird and butterfly diversity, explored how human activities influence species distributions, and presented my avian research at an Ecological Society of America conference.
Through these experiences, I became increasingly interested in understanding how modern environmental change is affecting wildlife populations and ecosystems.
My nature storytelling JOURNEY begins…
At the same time, I continued to pursue photography as a way to connect people with nature. One of my favorite projects was creating a field-guide-style photography book documenting 25 butterfly species around Roanoke College. The project allowed me to combine scientific observation with visual storytelling, preserving a snapshot of the incredible biodiversity that surrounded me during my undergraduate years.
The monarch butterfly I raised (Manny)
Me and Manny
Whether through research, photography, or film, I am driven by the same goal: helping people see the beauty and value of the natural world.
Scientific discoveries are essential for conservation, but stories and images have a unique ability to inspire action by creating emotional connections to the places and species we hope to protect.
Dolphin super pod in The Azores
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
Looking ahead, I hope to continue helping wildlife and environmental films reach new audiences, while further developing my own skills as a storyteller and conservationist. I also plan to pursue graduate school and continue exploring ways to combine science, photography, and media to make a meaningful impact. If we can help more people experience the wonder of nature, I believe we can build a future where humans and the natural world coexist more sustainably.
