National Geographic Society

Ethologist, conservationist, humanitarian, author and National Geographic Explorer — Dr. Jane Goodall DBE captivated and inspired the world by recording unprecedented observations of chimpanzees. Jane used everything in her power to draw attention to conservation efforts and show us that every one of us makes a difference every day. As she said, “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.” Today, on the first anniversary of her passing, join us in honoring Jane's memory by continuing her mission to live with empathy, humility and purpose to protect the wonder of our world. Photo by Hugo van Lawick

"Pride of Samburu" follows #NatGeoExplorer Jeneria Lekileleiand and his close-knit community as they adapt to escalating pressures and fight seemingly insurmountable challenges to protect their land and their wildlife. Produced by the National Geographic Society's Impact Story Lab, this feature documentary follows Jeneria, his Samburu community and local lion biologist and fellow Explorer Shivani Bhalla, as they continue to study and protect the Ewaso lions while also advocating for a voice in the future of their land. #PrideOfSamburu

Educator and #NatGeoExplorer Sarah Gallah's research includes investigating how our brains react to nature, using data she captured firsthand utilizing an electroencephalogram (EEG) headset while immersed in the Antarctic landscape. She brings her own hands-on learning directly to the classroom, turning her curiosity into real scientific work for her students. "Presenting ourselves as lifelong learners to our students is the most impactful thing that you can do as an educator," Gallah shares. Photo by Erik "Wolfie" Wolford

Big news from the South Pacific! 🌊 This week, the National Geographic Pristine Seas team kicked off an exciting new expedition in Tokelau — a remote and vibrant group of atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. At the invitation of Tokelau’s government and in partnership with its Ministry of Climate, Ocean & Resilience (MiCORe), the team of scientists and filmmakers will study the nation’s marine ecosystems to identify vital areas for protection. Surveying biodiversity in reef, mid-ocean and deepwater sites, researchers will provide data to support Tokelau’s ongoing conservation efforts, including the development of a future National Ocean Policy and marine spatial plan. Since launching the Pristine Seas Global Expedition in 2023, the team has been on a 5-year mission across the tropical Pacific to support local communities and governments in safeguarding our ocean. Tokelau joins an incredible list of regions studied so far, including: 📍 Southern Line Islands, Tongareva, Niue, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Photos by David Taylor

Today, National Geographic Society and De Beers Group announced the renewal of the #OkavangoEternal partnership for an additional five years — reaffirming their commitment to the long-term protection of the Okavango River Basin and to conservation-related livelihood opportunities for the people who live there and help steward it. Since its launch in 2021, the partnership has supported: • The historic designation of Lisima Lya Mwono as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, a key milestone in the long-term protection of the source waters of the Okavango Basin; • Local scientists, groundbreaking scientific research and traditional knowledge held and stewarded by local communities; • Livelihood opportunities across Angola, Namibia and Botswana, in beekeeping, basket weaving, regenerative agriculture and entrepreneurship; and • The operation of two Nkashi Knowledge Centres, community centers that expand access to education, entrepreneurship and conservation-linked opportunities. Building on that foundation, Okavango Eternal will continue to support and accelerate the work of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project and pursue even greater impact. Together we aim to help secure formal protection for approximately 5.4 million hectares (54,000 square kilometers) at the Basin’s source in Angola, working to secure long-term protection through transboundary cooperation between governments, supported by communities and a broader global coalition of partners. Photos by Tucunare Lopez (1), Prince Sokologang (2-3) and Antonio Paciencia (4)

Earlier this year, Nature Environment Wildlife Filmmakers Fellows Asier Schwarzlose, Nkosi Mthembu and Shorouk Elkobrosi spent two weeks at WonderLab in Berkeley, California. Founded by #NatGeoExplorer Anand Varma, WonderLab is a one of kind storytelling studio where he and his team develop breakthrough photography techniques that push the boundaries of how we visualize the world around us. The Fellows described it as a "candy store for filmmakers" — a world of custom engineering, 3D printing and macro-cinematography — to learn how to capture the invisible details of our natural world. Reflecting on the exchange, Elkobrosi shared that what resonated most were "conversations with Anand about failure in the endeavour of making science art, and how it made him a better artist." The mentorship didn't end in the US. NEWF acquired the macro gear used at WonderLab, allowing the Fellows to bring the experience home to South Africa and replicate the experience at eKhaya, NEWF's center for storytelling and ocean access in Sodwana Bay. Today, that mini lab is sparking a new wave of local storytellers through Africa Refocused — a collaboration between NEWF and the National Geographic Society working to ensure stories of Africa’s natural spaces are told by African people, from African perspectives. As Schwarzlose notes, "We’ve built a lab here, and my goal is to teach local youth what I learned in the US, and then go even further." This partnership shows what happens when access and mentorship align: local storytellers gain the tools to make the unseen visible, reclaiming nature storytelling from an authentic African perspective and inspiring conservation within their own communities. Photos by Asier Schwarzlose (1), ⁠⁠Mark Unger (2,4), ⁠⁠Jacob Saffarian (3)

Welcome to our newest #NatGeoExplorer cohort! We awarded the first research and conservation grants as part of Blue Boundaries, a new program in partnership with the Chubb Charitable Foundation. This inaugural cohort will carry out freshwater wetland projects in the Lower Mekong Basin, the Mississippi River watershed and the shared wetlands of Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. The interdisciplinary group of Explorers will deploy on-the-ground science paired with powerful storytelling to support lasting, measurable resilience for the millions of people and species who depend on these ecosystems. Their projects will drive impact across the program’s core scientific pillars: understanding and supporting a rich variety of wildlife, maintaining a healthy carbon balance, protecting and strengthening nature's resilience in the face of disruption and ensuring people and nature can thrive together. We’re also excited to announce the first featured storyteller for Blue Boundaries’ wetlands regions: Jason Gulley! The renowned Explorer, photographer and geologist will lead storytelling across key wetland regions in North America and Southeast Asia. In his new role, Gulley will document the program’s scientific research and conservation efforts. Congratulations to our new Blue Boundaries Explorers! 🎉 Photo of Jason Gulley in scuba diving gear at Cenote Yaakun by Prakash Matada (2)

Cat news! A new wild cat species has been described by scientists, the first in over a century: Leopardus tilcayo (the Tilcayo cat). Found in Bolivia’s Yungas cloud forest by an international research team — including #NatGeoExplorer Paola Nogales Ascarrunz — this elusive, 3-pound feline is smaller than the average domestic cat. What researchers once thought was a single, widespread group of wild cats is actually at least five distinct species. DNA analysis of museum specimens and living animals revealed that L. tilcayo is completely unique, featuring a slender body, muted fur color and larger spot markings than its relatives. Scientists are now deploying camera traps across the cloud forest to find L. tilcayo in the wild and build targeted conservation plans to protect them from habitat loss. “Describing a new cat species after more than 100 years shows how much we still have to learn about the biodiversity around us," shares Nogales Ascarrunz. But it also reminds us that we need to protect the Yungas forests, which are home to so many species — including some we are only beginning to understand.” Photos by fellow Explorer Fernando Faciole