Erin Towns is a digital and drone photographer based in Augusta, Maine, specializing in polar research and landscape photography. She is a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Program Fellow, a Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms Program Fellow, and a PolarTREC Teacher Program alumna. With 25 years of classroom experience, Erin has traveled widely, collaborating with educators and students across the U.S. and internationally to develop multidisciplinary curricula that weave together history, economics, Earth and climate science, polar technology, and visual arts. She currently serves as a graduate research assistant at the University of Maine, where she designs and leads programs that connect teens with PolarSTEAM career exploration opportunities in Arctic field environments.
Erin’s work is driven by a deep curiosity about the Arctic, Maine, and the connections between people, landscapes, and the Earth’s systems. Through her photography, she explores intricate details in nature while reflecting on the scientific and human stories behind them. Her art is both a tool for learning and a way to confront environmental challenges, emphasizing action and solutions.
Drawing inspiration from Maine’s natural beauty and polar landscapes, Erin’s photography connects distant climates to local realities. Her work engages students and communities in conversations about climate impact, showing how changes in remote regions affect life closer to home. Erin’s hope is that her art inspires reflection and action, offering new perspectives on our world and the role humans can play in shaping its future.