2023 Impact Snapshot
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Our Year in Review
Ambient video: Hundreds of monarchs sip liquid and important minerals from the wet soil in the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Michoacán, Mexico.
2023 Impact by the Numbers
$122.8M
84M+
readers of National Geographic print and digital content published in 24 languages
44M+
6.6M+
total square kilometers of ocean protected through our Pristine Seas program since 2008
$240K
15K+
14,644
youth reached through our geography-focused education programs supported by state endowments
700+
603
Programs with Impact
Using Science to Protect Our Planet
Preserving Ocean Life to Restore a Pristine Planet
In the face of global threats to marine health, coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on the ocean are grappling with how to protect their waters. The National Geographic Pristine Seas team, led by Explorer Enric Sala, works with communities, governments and other partners around the world to help protect critical ocean ecosystems by establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) paired with local stewardship and sustainable management plans.
In 2023, the Pristine Seas team embarked on a five-year “Global Expedition” to explore and study the remote tropical Pacific region and support local efforts to protect its exceptionally diverse marine ecosystems. Also in 2023, the Pristine Seas team partnered with the Society-funded Project CETI program and the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to help establish the world’s first Sperm Whale Reserve, protecting local whale populations and their valuable contributions to the area’s ecological health.
Finding Solutions to Protect Critical Ecosystems
National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expeditions explore the planet’s most remote and iconic life support systems in order to understand the threats they face and drive action to protect them.
In 2023, the multi-year Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition continued their research in Brazil’s Amazon River basin, including studying endemic species such as the Andean bear and arapaima to inform conservation efforts, mapping the local economic and social value of the basin’s mangroves, and assessing the environmental impact of record solar radiation in the Andes. In addition, Perpetual Planet Explorer Fernando Trujillo convened representatives from 14 countries that are home to the planet’s last remaining river dolphins. Trujillo’s StoryMap about his work with Amazonian pink river dolphins helped inspire 11 nations to sign a Global Declaration for the Protection of River Dolphins and their Rivers.
Photo: Aerial view of the mangrove forest located in front of the Vila Ponta de Ramos community in Curuça, Pará, Brazil.
Finding Solutions to Protect Critical Ecosystems
National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expeditions explore the planet’s most remote and iconic life support systems in order to understand the threats they face and drive action to protect them.
In 2023, the multi-year Perpetual Planet Amazon Expedition continued their research in Brazil’s Amazon River basin, including studying endemic species such as the Andean bear and arapaima to inform conservation efforts, mapping the local economic and social value of the basin’s mangroves, and assessing the environmental impact of record solar radiation in the Andes. In addition, Perpetual Planet Explorer Fernando Trujillo convened representatives from 14 countries that are home to the planet’s last remaining river dolphins. Trujillo’s StoryMap about his work with Amazonian pink river dolphins helped inspire 11 nations to sign a Global Declaration for the Protection of River Dolphins and their Rivers.
Photo: Aerial view of the mangrove forest located in front of the Vila Ponta de Ramos community in Curuça, Pará, Brazil.
Telling Stories that Spark Change
Culture and Conservation in the Okavango Basin
Since 2015, the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) has worked alongside the communities and governments of Botswana, Angola and Namibia to secure permanent protection for Africa’s Okavango Basin. In 2023, the NGOWP scientifically defined the Angola Highlands Water Tower, a critical step towards preserving an area that provides water to millions of people and some of the world’s most biodiverse places, including the Okavango Delta.
To expand and accelerate the program’s research and conservation work, the National Geographic Society and De Beers partnered to create Okavango Eternal. In 2023, this partnership helped fund “Nkashi: Race for the Okavango,” a documentary produced by the Society’s Impact Story Lab. The film celebrates the region’s cultural heritage and traditional practices, and highlights the NGOWP’s work to preserve its unique wetlands. The film’s success demonstrates the important interplay of community, culture and conservation in protecting the Okavango Basin’s future.
Photo: Aerial view of the Cuando River.
Protecting Species Through the Power of Photography
In November 2023, Explorer Joel Sartore’s photograph of the endangered Miami tiger beetle marked the 15,000th species added to the National Geographic Photo Ark project. The Photo Ark seeks to document every species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries around the world, with a goal of driving awareness about extinction crises and support for conservation.
Funded by the Photo Ark Species Impact Initiative, Explorer George Gann is working to protect Florida’s pine rocklands — the Miami tiger beetle’s sole remaining habitat — from threats including the proposed development of a nearby water park. In December 2023, National Geographic Wildlife Watch investigative reporter Rachel Fobar also published an article about the danger the park would pose to the rocklands’ endangered species. The national attention generated from this article, Gann’s work and the Photo Ark’s milestone species announcement helped influence county commissioners to withdraw the development proposal.
Photo: An endangered Miami tiger beetle (Cicindelidia florida) in the Pine Rocklands, FL, USA.
Protecting Species Through the Power of Photography
In November 2023, Explorer Joel Sartore’s photograph of the endangered Miami tiger beetle marked the 15,000th species added to the National Geographic Photo Ark project. The Photo Ark seeks to document every species living in the world’s zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries around the world, with a goal of driving awareness about extinction crises and support for conservation.
Funded by the Photo Ark Species Impact Initiative, Explorer George Gann is working to protect Florida’s pine rocklands — the Miami tiger beetle’s sole remaining habitat — from threats including the proposed development of a nearby water park. In December 2023, National Geographic Wildlife Watch investigative reporter Rachel Fobar also published an article about the danger the park would pose to the rocklands’ endangered species. The national attention generated from this article, Gann’s work and the Photo Ark’s milestone species announcement helped influence county commissioners to withdraw the development proposal.
Photo: An endangered Miami tiger beetle (Cicindelidia florida) in the Pine Rocklands, FL, USA.
Inspiring the Changemakers of Tomorrow
Aiming for a Better Future
In 2022, the National Geographic Society joined forces with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to launch the Slingshot Challenge to inspire the next generation of planetary stewards. Challenge participants create a one-minute video outlining a solution to an environmental issue in their community, and selected awardees can receive up to $10,000 in funding. To support entrants throughout the challenge, the Society provides workshops and resources to help them leverage their creativity and ingenuity to identify solutions.
In its inaugural year, the challenge received 1,838 entries from nearly 3,000 youth in 80 countries. In May 2023, the Society awarded $1,000 in funding to 10 finalist submissions, and $10,000 each to five Top Honors submissions. Award recipients were also recognized at the Society’s Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C. Year two of the challenge launched in September 2023, featuring a new collaboration with the Earthshot Prize to connect challenge alumni with expert mentorship and guidance to help bring their ideas to life.
Engaging New Perspectives
In 2023, the National Geographic Photo Camp celebrated its 20th anniversary. Created and directed by National Geographic Explorer in Residence Kirsten Elstner in 2003, the program provides a meaningful introduction to photography for young people from communities around the world. Since its founding, the program has engaged over 3,000 students from more than 40 countries, providing the opportunity to explore their unique perspectives and tell stories through photography.
Photo Camp offers a unique, immersive learning environment that allows young people to connect with world-class Explorers and photographers. In 2023, more than 300 student participants learned from 35 Explorer mentors (including eight Photo Camp alumni) in six countries. In addition, a collaboration with the Society’s Education division brought Photo Camps to six marginalized communities within the United States, emphasizing geography education and working with local partners to ensure continued learning opportunities for participants.
Engaging New Perspectives
In 2023, the National Geographic Photo Camp celebrated its 20th anniversary. Created and directed by National Geographic Explorer in Residence Kirsten Elstner in 2003, the program provides a meaningful introduction to photography for young people from communities around the world. Since its founding, the program has engaged over 3,000 students from more than 40 countries, providing the opportunity to explore their unique perspectives and tell stories through photography.
Photo Camp offers a unique, immersive learning environment that allows young people to connect with world-class Explorers and photographers. In 2023, more than 300 student participants learned from 35 Explorer mentors (including eight Photo Camp alumni) in six countries. In addition, a collaboration with the Society’s Education division brought Photo Camps to six marginalized communities within the United States, emphasizing geography education and working with local partners to ensure continued learning opportunities for participants.
Photo: Photo Camp Botswana student Prince Tembo Sokologang taking photos of the Okavango Delta during an assignment in Moremi Game reserve.
Equipping Explorers to Go Further
Exploring the Edge of Innovation
The National Geographic Society’s in-house Exploration Technology Lab (Ex Tech Lab) develops and expands access to cutting-edge technologies and tools that accelerate the science, storytelling and education projects of National Geographic Explorers.
The Ex Tech Lab served more than 600 Explorers in 2023, building and deploying breakthrough systems to facilitate learnings about the planet, nature and the cultural makeup of our world. In September 2023, the Lab installed a custom, edge-based AI camera trap network in the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve in California as part of Explorer Rae Wynn-Grant’s work observing mountain lion feeding ecology. The Ex Tech Lab camera trap network has helped Wynn-Grant’s team reveal the challenges facing mountain lions and large carnivores forced to shift their habitats due to climate change. The custom-built camera trap network incorporates the capacity to transmit AI-classified imagery from the traps via Iridium satellites, enabling near real-time notification of events.
Harnessing the Science of Story
The National Geographic Society’s Impact Story Lab is an award-winning creative unit that combines world-class storytelling with social and behavioral science — collaborating with Explorers to produce multimedia experiences that drive positive change and advance the goals of their programs.
In 2023, the Impact Story Lab produced 14 projects to support Explorer work and led 12 workshops about storytelling techniques for more than 400 Explorers and industry professionals. These projects included the acclaimed feature-length documentary “Nkashi: Race for the Okavango,” celebrating the rich natural and cultural makeup of the Okavango Delta; a digital education series produced with the Society’s EduLab entitled “I Wonder,” which follows Explorer Anand Varma’s work to record the life cycle of cephalopods; a short film entitled “Flora, Fauna, Funga” that documents Explorer Giuliana Furci’s search for new mushrooms in Chile; and an audio series that expands on Explorer Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s work to support displaced Afghan girls with education opportunities and stories of hope.
Photo: Impact Story Lab producer Sam Sheline filming in southern Chile.
Harnessing the Science of Story
The National Geographic Society’s Impact Story Lab is an award-winning creative unit that combines world-class storytelling with social and behavioral science — collaborating with Explorers to produce multimedia experiences that drive positive change and advance the goals of their programs.
In 2023, the Impact Story Lab produced 14 projects to support Explorer work and led 12 workshops about storytelling techniques for more than 400 Explorers and industry professionals. These projects included the acclaimed feature-length documentary “Nkashi: Race for the Okavango,” celebrating the rich natural and cultural makeup of the Okavango Delta; a digital education series produced with the Society’s EduLab entitled “I Wonder,” which follows Explorer Anand Varma’s work to record the life cycle of cephalopods; a short film entitled “Flora, Fauna, Funga” that documents Explorer Giuliana Furci’s search for new mushrooms in Chile; and an audio series that expands on Explorer Shabana Basij-Rasikh’s work to support displaced Afghan girls with education opportunities and stories of hope.
Photo: Impact Story Lab producer Sam Sheline filming in southern Chile.
Engaging Global Audiences
Celebrating Stories with Impact
Photo: Musicians from the NEWF Composers Lab perform at the 2023 Storytellers Summit.
Convening Our Global Explorer Community
In April 2023, the National Geographic Society hosted its annual International Explorers Festival in London. The festival brought together over 350 National Geographic Explorers from Europe, the Middle East and Africa to share knowledge, deepen partnerships and highlight the Society’s programmatic priorities.
In June, the National Geographic Society’s Washington, D.C. Explorers Festival welcomed over 1,100 participants to our headquarters. In a week filled with connections, inspiration and curiosity, our global community of National Geographic Explorers shared their diverse perspectives, the sense of purpose they bring to their work and the incredible impact they are making on the planet.
Photo: 2023 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Shabana Basij-Rasikh addresses an audience at the 2023 Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C., USA.
Convening Our Global Explorer Community
In April 2023, the National Geographic Society hosted its annual International Explorers Festival in London. The festival brought together over 350 National Geographic Explorers from Europe, the Middle East and Africa to share knowledge, deepen partnerships and highlight the Society’s programmatic priorities.
In June, the National Geographic Society’s Washington, D.C. Explorers Festival welcomed over 1,100 participants to our headquarters. In a week filled with connections, inspiration and curiosity, our global community of National Geographic Explorers shared their diverse perspectives, the sense of purpose they bring to their work and the incredible impact they are making on the planet.
Photo: 2023 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Shabana Basij-Rasikh addresses an audience at the 2023 Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C., USA.
Financial Summary
100 percent of donor contributions go to support Explorers and our mission work.
Breaking New Ground
As we look to the future of the National Geographic Society, we are taking steps to expand our global impact with a reimagining of Base Camp. The most significant expansion in our history will transform our headquarters into a dynamic hub for collaboration and a powerful platform to amplify our Explorers’ work. Our new campus will be a state-of-the-art destination for learning and engagement featuring selections from our legendary archives, immersive experiences, cutting-edge exhibitions, iconic photography and world-famous artifacts. At its core, Base Camp is and will always be the Home of the Explorer — a place for changemakers to return from the field, share what they have learned, and connect with each other and the wider public. Our new headquarters will supercharge their ability to create meaningful impact and build a stronger Explorer community.
We are grateful to our Base Camp Founding Donors. You can find the full list here.
The Power of Philanthropy
Photo: Archival photos show the wetlands of the Paraná Delta region in Argentina before a historic drought caused by climate change devastated the ecosystem.
2023 by the Numbers
Thank YoU
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Photo: Morning mist touches down in the lowland rainforest that carpets Mount Palung National Park on the island of Borneo in West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.
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