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I am a photographer working with National Geographic and other partners to inspire the…
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisOur conservation hub is the central location for finding story maps, online data viewers, and dashboards for exploring the Florida Ecological Greenways Network and Florida Wildlife Corridor in context of Florida’s conservation priorities to guide decision making at statewide, regional, and local scales.University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture
University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture
Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisWant to learn more about the science behind Florida's conservation efforts? Check out the new Conservation Planning Hub from the UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning! The hub provides resources to explore Florida’s conservation connectivity data through interactive maps, geospatial resources, and decision-making tools like the Florida Ecological Greenways Network (FEGN), a database that identifies and prioritizes a functionally connected statewide ecological network of public and private conservation efforts while promoting public awareness of the need for and benefits of a statewide ecological greenways network. 🌿 This research and these tools are the scientific backbone of conservation efforts like the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and provide decision-making data for programs like Florida Forever, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, and other state, federal, and regional land acquisition programs that are actively working to ensure vital protections for Florida’s native wildlife, ecosystem services, and ecological resiliency. Explore the Hub: https://lnkd.in/ehFdGjSc #conservation #planning #florida Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation -
Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisFinally, our book on regional landscape conservation planning is available! It was edited by Tom Hoctor and me with 44 additional contributors (University of Florida Press). I received my three free author copies (fewer than for previous books) today. The printing looks good. This was a major undertaking!
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisLooking down on Earth from Space, Astronaut Victor Glover delivers an important message for us below: “You are special in all of this nothingness of the universe… You have this oasis, this beautiful place where we exist together… I can see Earth as one thing. We are all on a spaceship called Earth… This is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are and that we are the same thing, and that we have to get through this together….” Thank you Victor for the important reminder to care for our one true home.
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisLike so many of us, National Geographic 33 changemaker Ewan McGregor was inspired by the Nat Geo documentary Ocean with David Attenborough. Learn more about his passion for exploration: https://lnkd.in/eHqmQWfx Stream Ocean with David Attenborough on Disney+ and Hulu. The National Geographic 33—inspired by our 33 founders—is an initiative honoring changemakers who are rising to meet the most critical challenges of our time, making meaningful progress and incredible breakthroughs. #NatGeo33
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisWe’ve seen them buzz, fly and dance. But bees are far more sophisticated than we ever imagined. They can navigate, collaborate, problem solve — even count! This Earth Month, we’re diving into all things bees. One highlight is National Geographic’s new series, “Secrets of the Bees,” where you can join #NatGeoExplorers entomologist Sammy Ramsey and filmmaker Bertie Gregory on a journey into the hidden worlds of these crafty creatures. This must-watch series combines three of my favorite NatGeo signatures: 🎥 High-Tech Storytelling: This fascinating docuseries, executive produced by Explorer at Large James Cameron, uses innovative filming techniques to show you the world from a bees-eye view (including some amazing never-before-filmed moments). 🔍 Groundbreaking Science: Research proves these insects are geniuses of their ecosystems. 🐝 Our Mission: Learn about how bees’ survival is inextricably linked to our own and how we can all play a part in their protection. I promise you, each episode will spark your curiosity! “Secrets of the Bees” is streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu. Interested in helping safeguard pollinators? Join us at natgeo.org/earthmonth
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisBig news! 📣 I am thrilled to share that the National Geographic Museum of Exploration opens June 26, 2026, and tickets are on sale now! For 138 years, #NatGeoExplorers have deepened our understanding of the world. And through the magazine, TV channels, social media and more, the National Geographic Society shared their unforgettable stories with you. #TheMOE is our most immersive chapter yet. When you step through our doors in Washington, D.C., you’ll get to experience the work of our Explorers like never before. Learn about the spark that launched their journeys and the innovative tools that power their expeditions. Celebrate over a century of iconic NatGeo history. And discover your own inner explorer. I cannot wait for you to experience it. Get your tickets today: https://lnkd.in/eZq9EM7W
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisStanding knee-deep in the cool waters of the Okavango River with Explorer Dr. Steve Boyes was a defining moment in my tenure at the National Geographic Society. That trip gave me a chance to see the Okavango as Steve experiences it: The gorgeous landscapes. The vast biodiversity. The people who’ve stewarded the region for generations. And everything that’s at stake if we don’t protect it. For the last decade, Steve has led the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, a massive undertaking with eight other Explorers to secure permanent protection for the greater Okavango Basin, which spans Angola, Namibia and Botswana. In partnership with local communities and government leaders, the team pairs rigorous science with traditional knowledge to advance impactful, community-led conservation initiatives. Now, Steve is inviting us into this world with his new book, “Okavango and the Source of Life.” It’s a deeply personal account of grueling research expeditions, scientific milestones and lessons from local traditional leadership. I was honored to write a preface for the book (though, I suspect readers might be slightly more excited about the foreword by Prince Harry). Congratulations, Steve! Explore more about the Okavango Wilderness Project: https://lnkd.in/eBE_myFW
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Carlton Ward Jr reposted thisCarlton Ward Jr reposted thisFew know Florida has a dam, a relic of an abandoned plan to build a cross Florida barge canal. Today the Rodman Dam is restricting connectivity on the Ocklawha River for migratory species, including manatees, that need to access the warm spring waters upstream. I visited the area in December midst a draw down of the Rodman Reservoir and was struck by the sight of the ghost forest, typically submerged underwater. Great work on a tight timeline from Cynthia Barnett and Jason Gulley Wildpath on the effort underway to remove the Rodman dam and restore the Ocklawaha championed by PEW and Senator Jason Brodeur. https://lnkd.in/e4nA-BGDSee a ghost 'fairyland' forest reemerge in FloridaSee a ghost 'fairyland' forest reemerge in Florida
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Carlton Ward Jr shared thisThank you National Geographic Society for this honor!Carlton Ward Jr shared thisCongratulations to Carlton Ward Jr., the recipient of the 2026 Eliza Scidmore Award for Outstanding Storytelling! 🎉 A #NatGeoExplorer and award-winning conservation photographer, Ward has devoted decades to an innovative storytelling strategy, advocating for protected wilderness areas that coexist with working lands. Through his tireless work as founder of the Florida Wildlife Corridor project and Wildpath, Ward has documented a vast array of the natural world, uncovered the unifying stories that bring people together through shared landscapes, and helped transform public will into tangible legislative action. The Eliza Scidmore award — named for the writer and photographer Eliza Scidmore, the first woman elected to the National Geographic Society’s Board of Trustees in 1892 — recognizes individuals whose work focuses on immersive storytelling to advance our understanding of the environmental and conservation issues we face, with the ultimate goal of supporting societies in making the best decisions for a healthier planet. Discover more of Ward's powerful legacy of harnessing visual storytelling to spotlight the urgent need for habitat connectivity and driving tangible conservation policy change: https://lnkd.in/ervbUKfj. Photos by Carlton Ward Jr.
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5mo
Congratulations Chris they are fortunate to have you!
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisCarlton Ward Jr liked thisDo museums come to life at night? Ours certainly does! Every evening, the National Geographic Museum of Exploration immerses visitors in the beauty of the natural world. “Wonders of Our World: Ocean” uses spectacular storytelling and the best of today’s technology — including the world’s largest installation of smart glass — to take you on a multisensory underwater journey. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of our ocean, you explore life beneath the waves and meet the quirky and charismatic creatures who call these waters home. Like everything we do at the National Geographic Society, it’s inspired by the work of our #NatGeoExplorers — scientists, conservationists, educators and storytellers who have dedicated their lives to protecting nature. We hope it becomes part of the heartbeat of D.C., a daily reminder about our world’s awe-inspiring beauty and the role we all play in protecting it. Explore more: https://lnkd.in/eX2yEnHr 📸 Photo by Elman Studio #TheMOE
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisI’m thrilled to join Trust for Public Land as the Florida State Director! I have always admired the work of TPL, particularly the focus on public access. I’m so excited to work on projects in my backyard and across the state of Florida- connecting more people and communities to our beautiful outdoor places! #conservation #parksforpeople #trails #TPLCarlton Ward Jr liked thisPlease join us in welcoming the talented Lindsay Cross as Trust for Public Land's new Florida State Director! With more than 25 years of experience in environmental science, conservation, and public service, including leadership roles with the Florida Wildlife Corridor, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, and, most recently, service in the Florida House of Representatives, Lindsay has spent her career protecting the places that make Florida special. Lindsay believes everyone deserves access to the outdoors and is passionate about conserving Florida's iconic landscapes while expanding parks, trails, and public spaces that strengthen communities. From advancing the Florida Wildlife Corridor to connecting more people with nature, she's ready to help shape a healthier, more connected future for Florida.
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisCarlton Ward Jr liked thisOn July 1st, 2021, Florida made history with the unamious and bipartisan passage of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act. This marked a turning point for conservation in our state, transforming a shared vision into something real and recognized by law. Since the passage of the act, the state of Florida and many partner organizations have collectively accelerated conservation efforts, permantely protecting nearly half a million acres within and adjacent to the Florida Wildlife Corridor! In those five years since the act, the Corridor Foundation has kept the excitement and momentum going with a collaborative campaign featuring expeditions, films, conferences, murals, exhibits, mapping workshops, and so much more. To our Corridor community, thank you for believing in this mission and for your continued support these past 5 years. Together, we're making a connected Florida a reality!🌿🐾
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisCarlton Ward Jr liked thisWith friends and colleagues, Beverly and Dereck Joubert last night at the opening of National Geographic Society Museum of Exploration in Washington, DC. Great evening and truly amazing, new museum - a must see! But now it’s time to shed the tux, put on a wetsuit and get back into the field!
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisCarlton Ward Jr liked this“Nat Geo invests deeply with young people, who they think have potential, and supports them long-term. So, I think, for them also it is reassuring and exciting that someone they’ve known for 15 years is doing long-term impactful work,” says the Bengaluru-based Krithi. “The fact that an institution like Nat Geo, which believes in you when you are young, nurtures you and supports you through all your career ups and downs, has chosen me to be the first South Asian to receive this award is something I am very honoured by.” Thank you The Hindu for this wonderful feature on our work Centre for Wildlife Studies supported by National Geographic Society ! “The success of the organisation, acknowledges Krithi, is in large part due to her “hundred and fifty amazing colleagues at CWS.” According to her, most of the team hail from the areas where they work, leading to a deep sense of pride and ownership in their work. “It is the only way to do conservation. You cannot import and export people in or out,” she says. After all, pride in one’s State is as much a part of an Indian’s identity as pride in the nation, believes Krithi. “Somehow we navigate these dual identities, but harnessing that pride is very important to do meaningful work.” https://lnkd.in/ggXBK-uX Jill Tiefenthaler Alexander Moen Kara Ramirez Mullins Gabby Salazar Sarah Van Duyn Alicia Pressel Bhavana (Rani) Gandhi Ribhu Vohra Prakash Matada P M Muthanna, Sahil Pimpale, Kaustubh Srikanth, Imran Siddiqui, Benjamin Clement, Ganesh Honwad, Nagachandan HN, Jeremiah Kennedy, Nikhil Jacob, Shruti GhoshKrithi Karanth named 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the YearKrithi Karanth named 2026 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisCarlton Ward Jr liked thisWe’re delighted to share that a new expansion of the National Geographic Society collaboration with Allen Family Philanthropies will support a series of National Geographic Photo Camps for youth across Washington state! Together, we’ll empower 160 young people across eight communities to develop valuable skills in photography, writing and storytelling that will help them to share their perspectives on their communities, cultures and the environment. We’re deeply grateful to Allen Family Philanthropies for their partnership and shared belief in the power of storytelling to inspire the next generation of changemakers. Learn more about our collaboration here: https://lnkd.in/epZ8nUVg 📸 : Ismail Ferdous
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Carlton Ward Jr liked thisCarlton Ward Jr liked thisFinally, our book on regional landscape conservation planning is available! It was edited by Tom Hoctor and me with 44 additional contributors (University of Florida Press). I received my three free author copies (fewer than for previous books) today. The printing looks good. This was a major undertaking!
Experience
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Volunteer Experience
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Volunteer
Florida Wildlife Corridor
- Present 17 years
Environment
Planning and outreach
Publications
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Florida Cowboys: Keepers of the Last Frontier (Contributor in Collaborative Work)
University Press of Florida
See publicationNumerous writers contributed essays in Carlton Ward, Jr's important photography book highlighting Florida's historic and present cowboy and cattle culture. A newspaper article that I had previously authored in the Tampa Tribune was re-purposed for the project.
Honors & Awards
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Mission Award
North American Nature Photography Association
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Photographer of the Year
Audubon of Florida
Languages
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French
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My latest in The Revelator, about the frequently made claim that commercial trade in wildlife signficantly contributes to people's livelihoods. Just because this claim is common, “does not necessarily make it true,” wildlife researchers Vincent Nijman and Chris R. Shepherd wrote in paper earlier this year. They interrogated the livelihood benefits of the international trade in wild turtle meat from Indonesia, revealing that surprisingly few turtle collectors can make a basic living from the trade. Exploitation is among the top threats to wild species, including many turtles. Considering this, the researchers say discussions about livelihood benefits must be data-led and “realistic” – and they have urged people to stop promoting the wildlife trade as important to livelihoods “unless proven to be factual.” Read more here:
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