National Geographic Society

Mexican-Peruvian photographer and #NatGeoExplorer Musuk Nolte uses his artistic and documentary-style photography as a means of commenting on cultural and social issues. Lately, his focus has been on South American water systems and issues related to climate change and water scarcity. “Water is an important metaphor for how different territories are connected,” Nolte notes. His work contributes to the National Geographic Society’s World Freshwater Initiative, a five-year plan to support projects related to freshwater conservation, education and storytelling. In recent years, Nolte has been spending time investigating the severe drought affecting Lake Titicaca in Puno — situated on Peru’s Altiplano, the high plateaus of the Andes — as well as the water crisis in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. Explore what his work reveals about the results of drought and other pressing water issues: https://lnkd.in/eh4UQH82. Photo by Musuk Nolte #WorldWaterDay

Brazilian storyteller and #NatGeoExplorer Andre Vieira set out to tell the story of “the forest that saved a city.” “I want to combine the research of historic images with visual documentary storytelling to show how Rio found a way to reconcile with nature and live on to become one of the most iconic cities in the world, a megalopolis made famous by the exuberance of its nature,” Vieira shares. Through a visionary reforestation project in Rio de Janeiro, 1,600 hectares (3,954 acres) of the endangered Atlantic Rainforest was transformed into the Tijuca National Park, which now spans 4,000 hectares (9,884 acres) and is one of the largest urban forests in the world. Photo by Andre Vieira

In 25 years of wildlife storytelling, #NatGeoExplorer and Trustee Sandesh Kadur has offered first-time glimpses into rarely-seen phenomena in the natural world, while urging viewers to protect its vulnerable inhabitants. He has dedicated his life to illuminating endangered species and their fragile ecosystems. "To me storytelling is about transcending all barriers, influencing, and making impact," Kadur shares. "I think that the kind of impact storytelling can have can last a lifetime. It can last generations." Explore more: https://lnkd.in/ebtn5-TG. Photo courtesy Felis Creations #WorldStorytellingDay

Let’s dive deep into the facts about the Argonauta — the latest addition to National Geographic Pristine Seas suite of research tools aboard its expedition vessel, the Argo! This new submersible: ?? Can dive to 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), tripling the depth at which the team is able to collect data in real-time ?? Offers a nearly 360-degree panoramic view through a unique bubble-shaped window, allowing scientists, storytellers, and local partners to be fully immersed in the underwater world ?? Can complete missions up to 14 hours, more than double the previous sub's time ?? Is equipped with advanced tools like an 8K UHD camera and environmental DNA collectors ?? Has silent thrusters allow it to maneuver close to deep-sea environments without disturbance Explore more about Pristine Seas and their Global Expedition: https://lnkd.in/gvGvH2iV. Photo by #NatGeoExplorer Caitlin Bailey

The National Geographic Society flag has arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh! ?????? #NatGeoExplorer at Large Shahidul Alam is on the ground working to restore the Buriganga River to its original pristine state, while uniting locals at Drik Picture Library to reshape the media narrative. An organization founded on principles of social equality, human rights and democracy, Drik is on a mission to provide photographers with a platform to share images of their surrounding world and local communities. Stay tuned to see where the flag will end up next! #PassTheFlag

Through innovative visual storytelling and GIS techniques, four of our Fall 2024 Externships program alums were named finalists in the student track of Esri's 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition! Their interactive maps weave in artful elements and impactful storytelling to tackle big environmental challenges in their communities: ?? Chronicles of the Dune by Marilou Cambessédès ?? Crossing Nets by Ona Santisteban Uribarri ?? Restoring Harmony by Maheswari Alisha Lubis ?? The Climate Puzzle by Vaidehi Patel Check out all of the inspiring finalists: https://lnkd.in/gE8xppvx. By joining forces with The Nature Conservancy, our Externships program offers young adults from across the globe a virtual learning and leadership experience to equip them with the knowledge, tools and relationships to seek solutions and take action in their communities. Discover how the program helps build pathways to careers in conservation and exploration: https://lnkd.in/gQ5XRmrf. Photo by Lauranne Cambessédès from Chronicles of the Dune

This mesmerizing, 360 shot comes from #NatGeoExplorer Anand Varma’s newest invention at WonderLab, the “SnorkelCam.” Developed to film aquatic creatures “in a way that felt like you were standing right next to them in the ocean,” Varma 3D printed a tool that holds a mirror in front of his lens in order to film underwater while keeping his camera dry. He first tested static footage on this barnacle-encrusted mussel and sea urchin. Find out what else Varma’s tinkering with at WonderLab: https://bit.ly/3Fi9Dr7. Video by Anand Varma

These Japanese divers are ama freedivers, a community of predominantly women who uphold a cultural fishing tradition that is more than 2,000 years old. ???? #NatGeoExplorer Jennifer Adler spent one month documenting the ama underwater in Mie, Japan, with fellow Explorer Kyle McBurnie. On a single breath, they dive as deep as 20 meters (65 feet) to harvest kelp, sazae turban shells and abalone. However, rising ocean temperatures threaten the kelp forest ecosystems these marine animals call home, and the ama are returning from dives with less and less. Learn more about Adler’s work with these remarkable women and their rapidly changing relationship with the ocean: https://bit.ly/3QOJwKP. Photo by Jenny Adler

Before the National Geographic Society flag makes its way to Bangladesh, we asked #NatGeoExplorers Noel Kok and Pragna Parsotam-Kok to talk about Nature Environment Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and Africa Refocused. #PassTheFlag is about amplifying voices that make a difference, and in Sodwana Bay, South Africa, this dream team is doing exactly that. See how Africa Refocused and NEWF are helping African conservationists and filmmakers tell their own stories: https://bit.ly/4hV4C6l.

A new “gentle giant” has been uncovered in Patagonia! ?? A team of 18 interdisciplinary specialists, including #NatGeoExplorer Diego Pol, has identified Chadititan calvoi — a long-necked, slender-framed titanosaur that roamed what is now Argentina 78 million years ago. “In addition to Chadititan, the fossils we identified of mollusks, fish and turtles enrich our understanding of this ancient ecosystem and expand our knowledge of life in Patagonia near the end of the dinosaur era,” Pol explains. Supported by the National Geographic Society, Pol’s work is helping to piece together the prehistoric puzzle of Patagonia, shedding light on extinction patterns and the evolution of life at the end of the Cretaceous Period. Explore more about this exciting discovery: https://lnkd.in/ersGbWYE. Rendered reconstruction by Gabriel Díaz Yantén