Talking science can get confusing. But Canadian Paul Nicklen helps break down the perplexity by illustrating science visually through photos. A former biologist, Nicklen now devotes his life to revealing scientific discovery through photography.

“Rather than work as a biologist, I could better serve wildlife populations by becoming a nature photojournalist,” Nicklen’s bio states. “My images could tell the stories of polar landscapes. My goal is to bridge the gap between scientific research and the public by producing stories for magazines such as National geographic.”

Nicklen’s work has earned him recognition around the globe. He placed first in nature photography in the 2010 World Press Awards and two of his photos were included in the International League of Conservation Photographers’ 40 Best Nature Photographs of All Time. Outdoor Photographer magazine listed the award-winning photographer one of the world’s 40 most influential nature photographers in its 2010 Christmas issue. Up Here declared him its 2010 Northerner of the Year.

Nicklen is slated to speak at The 2011 TED conference The Rediscovery of Wonder, where he will present a collection of photos depicting wildlife in the Artic and Antarctic. The visual lecture is meant to further generate global awareness about the isolated and endangered environments of the North and South Poles.

In the meantime, Nicklen continues to “save the world through photographs.” In an effort to protect the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada, Nicklen has wielded his camera as a means for combating the proposed oil pipeline that would slice through the Canadian preserve.

“I think collectively we can really make a difference, and it’s really exciting to be part of something where we can say at the end of the day we did something better for the environment, finally the environment won something and the environment got a voice,” Nicklen said in an interview with CTV BC’s Jim Beatty.

Nicklen will speak at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center in California March 1.