The acclaimed nature photographer, filmmaker and environmentalist will be remembered in several ways in the weeks — and years — ahead.
ST PAUL, Minn. — After inspiring generations of nature photographers, filmmakers, environmentalists and conservationists throughout his life, Jim Brandenburg's work and impact will be on display in several ways after his death.
The Bell Museum, which already features a permanent video exhibit created — and narrated — by Brandenburg titled "Images from Home," is preparing to roll out more tributes to the man who spent his life highlighting the beauty and importance of nature in Minnesota.
"We are already working to bring out more of his art in the next few weeks," said Holly Menninger, Executive Director of the Bell Museum.
Brandenburg, 79, died this past weekend. According to a memorial on his Facebook page, he spent the past seven months receiving treatment for anaplastic thyroid cancer, and also began suffering complications from pneumonia this year.
"This loss hits hard here," Menninger said. "You can see Jim's work in all of the large format photography throughout the museum. Most recently, we've also worked together on Planetarium productions that are telling beautiful stories that bring together nature and art."
One of those films, "Secrets from a Forest," which tells the story of the relationship between nature and art through the Stradivarius Violin, will return for an encore performance at the Bell Planetarium from April 18th to 20th.
"We were just awarded Best Feature Film, from Best on Earth, of all the planetarium films," Menninger said. "This will also give us a chance to celebrate Jim's life and work.
"If you had the chance to know him, you would never know that he was a person who had received all kinds of international awards and accolades. He was so passionate about nature and being able to help other people have those kinds of nature experiences that he had taking those photographs."
Touch the Sky Prairie
Brandenburg's legacy will also live on in nature, thanks to his Touch the Sky Prairie Foundation.
"The Foundation has purchased over 1,000 acres of northern, tall grass prairie very close to where he was born, that is now available for the public's enjoyment," said Jane Lanphere, Executive Director at Luverne Area Chamber. "It's a huge benefit."
Lanphere says the city of Luverne has also benefitted from visitor traffic provided by the Brandenburg Gallery.
"At the time the gallery first opened, we didn't have any other assets in town and so he agreed to do it," she said. "He was such a sincere and passionate person, not just for nature but for people."
A Final Spotlight on Minnesota
At the time of his death, Brandenburg was still collaborating on another planetarium film at the Bell Museum.
Menninger says the untitled film will focus on Minnesota's distinct seasons and is still moving forward, with a release expected in the fall of 2026.
"Jim has traveled all over the world and photographed phenomenal places, and when you talked to him, he would say that one of the things that mostMinnesotans don't realize is how special we have it here," Menninger said. "There's this amazing diversity of life in our ecosystem and it's all right here. It's all within reach."
