CAVU’s story began in 2004 in Central America where its founders, David and Jordan Smith, incorporated the aerial perspective with stories from local citizens and leaders to create videos that served as advocacy tools for communities impacted by environmental degradation. 

David and Jordan quickly saw the power that visual storytelling had to affect change and be an antidote to prejudice, partisanship, and cynicism when working on environmental and social justice issues. This work led to an Emmy and CAVU is now featured in a permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum for CAVU’s use of flight and film for conservation purposes.