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National Geographic Society Funds Inaugural Wetland Conservation Projects Through New Blue Boundaries Program

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Grants support on-the-ground science to build a resilient future for the freshwater wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin, Mississippi River, and Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The National Geographic Society today announced the first grants awarded to the first cohort of National Geographic Explorers for Blue Boundaries, a new program in partnership with the Chubb Charitable Foundation that unites conservation science and storytelling to build a resilient future for where land meets water: our wetlands, coastal systems and reefs.

These areas form a natural network that depends on each other to thrive, supporting the planet’s overall health and well-being. The inaugural cohort of Explorers 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.

This interdisciplinary group of Explorers deploys on-the-ground science paired with powerful storytelling to drive lasting, measurable resilience for the millions of people and species who depend on these ecosystems for survival and prosperity.

“Blue Boundaries are places where the forces shaping our world converge, demanding new ways of thinking and exploring to solve some of our planet’s most urgent challenges,” said Jill Tiefenthaler, chief executive officer at the Society. “That’s what makes this inaugural Blue Boundaries cohort so compelling. These Explorers are bringing new ideas, perspectives and approaches to understanding and protecting these vital ecosystems that sustain life on Earth.”

“The work undertaken by this inaugural cohort will advance our collective understanding of the ecosystems that underpin the health and economic prosperity of communities around the world,” said Evan Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Chubb Limited and Chair, Chubb Charitable Foundation. “As these Explorers advance their field research, the insights they generate will be vital for safeguarding wildlife, building ecosystem resilience, and supporting the millions of people who rely on these watersheds.”

The program will roll out in phases over the next six years, starting with the three freshwater focus regions before moving to coastal systems and, ultimately, reefs — mirroring the downstream flow of water and underscoring how deeply interconnected these ecosystems are.

“What makes ‘Blue Boundaries’ so special and unique for our planet is that they’ve been the places that have sustained human settlement for millennia, actively driving human well-being and productivity alongside the rich natural resources that support millions of species,” said Explorer in Residence Justin Brashares, who is helping lead the scientific strategy of Blue Boundaries. “Real impact is achieved when we empower and support locally-based scientists and storytellers, and we’re excited to work with our inaugural Explorer cohort to develop strategies for protecting and ensuring the sustainability of these critical systems.”

This first cohort of research and conservation projects was funded through the Society’s peer-reviewed grants process with a focus on the Blue Boundaries program’s impact goals and core scientific pillars: understanding and supporting a rich variety of wildlife, creating a healthy carbon balance, protecting and strengthening nature’s resilience in the face of disruption, and ensuring people and nature can thrive together.‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌ The first group of Explorers and projects receiving awards are:

Wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin

Seila Chea, a community engagement conservationist at Wonders of the Mekong, is working to protect giant freshwater stingrays and Mekong freshwater stingrays, which are integral to the region both ecologically and culturally. Through community-led monitoring and public outreach, this initiative will empower local citizens along the Cambodia-Laos border to actively track these freshwater giants, protect their shared aquatic home and empower freshwater stewardship.Zeb Hogan, a freshwater ecologist and conservation biologist at the University of Nevada, Reno, will work to safeguard the Tonle Sap-Mekong River system and the millions of livelihoods depending on its migratory fish by working alongside Cambodian partners to launch the “Mekong in Motion” project. The initiative pairs local fisher expertise with scientific research, using a specialized mobile app to track three iconic “megafish” species as indicators of overall river health.

Wetlands of the Mississippi River

Michael Henson, an assistant professor of biological sciences at Northern Illinois University and an aquatic microbial ecologist, will study whether the billions of tiny microbes that act as an invisible engine keeping the Mississippi River water clean and healthy can recover once pollution recedes, or whether long-term changes permanently alter the river’s health. By sharing their discoveries through multimedia and school programs, he will also teach local communities how these tiny organisms sustain the river so everyone can work together to protect it.Jennifer Koop, an associate professor of biological sciences at Northern Illinois University, will study the deadly link between an invasive snail species in the Mississippi River, the parasites they carry, and the health of migrating ducks who consume those snails. By studying how fertilizer runoff from farms and lawns boosts the growth of algae that allow these deadly snails and their parasites to thrive and fuel this chain reaction, Koop and her research team aim to help wildlife managers pinpoint where to take action and save critical bird species.Michael Philben, an associate professor at Hope College and a biogeochemist, will study ancient cypress swamps in Illinois to determine whether pollution from nearby farm runoff causes these wetlands to release more warming gases than they absorb. Through this work, he aims to guide conservation teams in deciding which wetlands are most effective to protect and restore to keep our planet cool.

Wetlands of Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala

Nataly Castelblanco, a Colombian conservation biologist and researcher at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur in Mexico, will use satellite tracking and community-based photo-ID to solve the mystery of how manatees travel through hidden, underground waterways between the ocean and inland freshwater sources – some known as cenotes – and why they need them to survive.Efraín Chávez Solís, a cave biologist and scientific diver, will study stygiobiont species – aquatic cave dwellers that spend their lives underground and support local food webs – in a fragile underground aquifer that provides all of the fresh water in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula states. By combining biodiversity surveys, environmental DNA and hydrological data, he aims to use these species as natural indicators to quickly measure and protect underground water quality.Julie Loisel, a field ecologist and paleoclimatologist working in peatland ecosystems across the Panamerican region, will set up outdoor learning labs to study wetlands in Belize and Guatemala alongside archaeological knowledge, such as ancient Maya farming techniques that sustained the region for thousands of years. By combining modern science with Indigenous knowledge, the team will create conservation plans to keep these vital natural spaces thriving.

We will award additional Explorers in this first cohort in the coming weeks. The second round of Blue Boundaries freshwater wetlands grants will be awarded in 2027, with additional Explorers awarded as the program moves through its three systems.

About Chubb

Chubb is a world leader in insurance. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. The company is defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide.‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌

Additional information can be found at: ‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌www.chubb.com‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌.‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 16,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content. ‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌

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‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌Facebook‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‌.‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‍‌

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SOURCE National Geographic Society

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World News Day: 1,000-plus newsrooms in 100-plus countries unite to defend trusted journalism

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TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – On 28 September, more than 1,000 news organizations and support agencies from more than 100 countries will mark World News Day, a global campaign to promote the value of journalism.

This year, news organizations are asked to show what goes into their journalism so that the public can know the facts, understand what matters and choose trusted journalism.

The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) founded World News Day in 2018 with 17 participating organizations. With the addition of WAN-IFRA as a partner a year later, the campaign went global and last year, it reached more than 1,000 publishers across 108 countries and 17 languages. This year’s campaign runs from 25 September to 1 October with 28 September as the focal day, coinciding with the UN International Day for Universal Access to Information.

“News organizations are very good at telling other people’s stories. But we have not always been equally good at telling our own,” says Stig Ørskov, CEO of the World Association of News Publishers, in urging media outlets to join World News Day 2026.

Adds CJF President and Executive Director Natalie Turvey: “When trust in journalism erodes, so does the public’s ability to make sense of the world. World News Day is a chance for more than 1,000 newsrooms to make the case together for fact-based reporting at a time when that case has never been more important.” 

Newsroom closures and shrinking budgets have weakened journalism worldwide, while AI-generated content and disinformation increasingly compete with real reporting for public attention. No single newsroom can address these challenges alone. World News Day brings newsrooms together to make one collective case, and to do something journalism rarely does: explain its own process. For one week, participating outlets are invited to show readers the work behind what they publish, giving the public something concrete whereby to judge trust.

“A society that loses its grip on facts loses its grip on itself,” says Branko Brkic, founder of Project Kontinuum, a global network to secure the news media’s future and co-organizer of World News Day. “A society that fights for truth can still find its way back.

“Alone, any one of us can be dismissed. Together, in dozens of languages and more than 100 countries, we’re harder to ignore. That’s the whole point of doing this on the same day. It is not a fundraiser. It is a rallying point.”

World News Day is organized jointly by the World Editors Forum, the Canadian Journalism Foundation and Project Kontinuum.

Newsrooms can register at https://wan-ifra.my.salesforce-sites.com/onlineregistration?regid=a1PW7000004FkLBMA. From 1 September, all who register gain access to campaign materials, including a collection of op-eds from leading journalists, translated campaign assets in 20+ languages, social media graphics and copy for the campaign week, print and digital ads, and cartoons and video, all built around the campaign message:

“Know the facts. Understand what matters. Choose trusted journalism. Because it’s your right to know.” 

Members of the public are invited to follow the campaign at [worldnewsday.org] and on social media using #WorldNewsDay #WND26 #ChooseTrustedJournalism #YourRightToKnow.

About World News Day
World News Day is a global campaign built around fact-based journalism. It is organized jointly by WAN-IFRA’s World Editors Forum, the Canadian Journalism Foundation and Project Kontinuum.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-news-day-1-000-plus-newsrooms-in-100-plus-countries-unite-to-defend-trusted-journalism-302882526.html

SOURCE The Canadian Journalism Foundation

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NeuralTrust Named a Pioneer in Gartner EMQ for AI Application Security

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NeuralTrust is the best-positioned European platform recognised in the Pioneer quadrant of Gartner’s first-ever research framework dedicated to AI Application Security.

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NeuralTrust is the leading platform for securing and scaling AI agents, providing runtime protection, agent posture management, automated red teaming, and gateway-level enforcement to help enterprises deploy AI systems securely and at scale.

NeuralTrust today announced it has been named a Pioneer in the Gartner Emerging Market Quadrant for AI Application Security, Gartner’s first dedicated research framework evaluating vendors in this category. NeuralTrust is the best-positioned European-headquartered company recognized in the quadrant, reinforcing its position as the leading AI security platform built for the era of autonomous agents.

The Gartner Emerging Market Quadrant differs from the established Gartner Magic Quadrant in that it evaluates markets still in formation, where vendor differentiation comes from architectural innovation rather than scale alone. Pioneer status recognizes vendors that show architecturally advanced approaches to AI security, with coverage across the full lifecycle of agentic applications, from discovery and posture management to automated testing and real-time runtime defense.

“Being named a Pioneer in Gartner’s first AI Application Security quadrant validates what we have been building since day one,” said Joan Vendrell, Co-Founder and CEO of NeuralTrust. “AI applications and autonomous agents introduce a fundamentally different risk surface, one that traditional security tools were never designed to address. We built NeuralTrust to be the security layer that sits between enterprise AI and the threats that target it, and this recognition reflects the depth and breadth of what we have shipped.”

The report reflects several shifts now shaping the AI Application Security category:

A market distinct from traditional AppSec. AI Application Security protects AI-powered applications, large language models, and autonomous agents against threats that do not exist in traditional software security, including prompt injection, data exfiltration, and model manipulation.Full lifecycle coverage as the standard. Gartner identifies three core capabilities defining the market: automated discovery and inventory of AI applications, automated AI security testing, and AI runtime defense that monitors inputs and outputs in real time.A closed-loop architecture. Pioneers combine posture management, adversarial testing, and runtime defense in a single platform rather than as disconnected point solutions.

NeuralTrust is headquartered in Barcelona and operates offices in London and New York, making it the best-positioned European-headquartered platform in the quadrant. The company opened its London office in September 2026 to support a growing base of financial services, technology, and enterprise clients across the UK.

“European enterprises face the same urgency as their counterparts in the United States when it comes to AI agent security, and they carry additional compliance obligations that platforms built outside the EU were never designed to address,” said Cameron Brown, UK Managing Director at NeuralTrust. “Being the only European Pioneer in Gartner’s first AI Application Security quadrant is a clear signal that the region now has a platform purpose-built for its security and regulatory needs.”

The Emerging Market Quadrant Pioneer designation adds to a year of Gartner recognition for NeuralTrust, which has also been named a Sample Vendor in the Gartner Hype Cycle for Application Security 2026, the Gartner Hype Cycle for AI Governance Technologies 2026, the Gartner Hype Cycle for Infrastructure Security 2026, and the Gartner Hype Cycle for Data Security 2026. The company has also been included in the Gartner Market Guide for AI Gateways and the Gartner Market Guide for Guardian Agents.

NeuralTrust remains committed to giving enterprises a single platform, TrustGate, TrustGuard, TrustLens, and TrustTest, to discover, test, and defend AI agents across their full lifecycle.

Gartner members can access the full report here.

About NeuralTrust

NeuralTrust is the leading platform for securing and scaling AI Agents. Recognized by Gartner, its platform helps enterprises identify, secure, and govern all the AI agents running in the company. Clients span from global banks and airlines to energy companies and government agencies. NeuralTrust’s mission is to make AI adoption measurable, governable, and safe, turning AI security into a strategic advantage.

Learn more at neuraltrust.ai 

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SOURCE NeuralTrust

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Stonly Launches Business Process Agents to Automate Complex Customer Service Processes

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New AI agents follow the same knowledge, rules, and workflows that support teams already use, without rebuilding SOPs as siloed knowledge for AI

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stonly, the knowledge platform for customer service in the AI era, today announced the launch of Business Process Agents (BPAs), AI agents that automate customer service processes end-to-end by following the same knowledge and SOPs human support teams use.

Business Process Agents go beyond AI that simply answers questions. They follow structured Stonly Guides that define the steps, decision logic, rules, required information, and actions behind a support process. That means the same process can be followed by a human agent, used to guide a customer through self-service, or executed autonomously by AI.

The result is AI that can automate the complex, high-value support issues where the right resolution depends on the customer, the situation, company policy, and what happens at each step.

As customer service organizations push for greater automation, simple questions have become increasingly easy for AI to answer. The harder problem is everything that comes next: troubleshooting, eligibility decisions, account changes, policy workflows, escalations, and the countless “it depends” situations that make up real support operations.

Today, teams trying to automate those processes typically translate them into prompts, agent instructions, retrieval rules, workflow logic, and other AI configuration. Over time, they end up maintaining one version of the process for people and another for AI.

With Business Process Agents, AI can follow the same support knowledge, SOPs, rules, and workflows the team already uses.

“AI has gotten very good at answering questions, but customer service is not just a collection of questions and answers,” said Alexis Fogel, Founder and CEO of Stonly. “The most important support work follows processes: check this, ask that, apply this rule, take an action, and make a different decision depending on what happens. Business Process Agents let AI follow the actual process instead of requiring teams to recreate it separately for AI.”

What Business Process Agents Do

Execute Complex Support Processes

Business Process Agents follow Stonly Guides step by step, including branches, decision logic, required checks, customer information, policies, and actions. They can ask for information, determine what happens next, take action through connected systems, and continue through the process until the issue is resolved or human judgment is required.

That makes it possible to automate processes that cannot be handled reliably with a single answer or simple prompt, including troubleshooting, eligibility, intake, account changes, policy-driven workflows, and other complex “it depends” cases.

Use the Same Process as the Support Team

Business Process Agents run on the same Stonly knowledge and workflows used by human agents. Teams do not need to maintain separate documentation and logic for people and AI.

When the process changes, the team updates the Guide. The new process is immediately available wherever it is used.

Work Autonomously or With Human Agents

Business Process Agents can resolve customer issues directly or work alongside human agents. A BPA can complete an entire process autonomously, handle part of a process and ask an agent to approve an important decision, or collect information and complete procedural work before handing the case to a person with the context and next step ready.

This allows teams to automate as much of each process as makes sense without forcing every support interaction into either fully manual or fully autonomous service.

Make Advanced AI Easier to Build and Maintain

Business Process Agents are created from human-readable Stonly Guides that support, operations, and knowledge teams can understand and manage.

Teams define the process once and use it for people and AI. New BPAs can be created from processes the organization already knows how to run, and changes can be made directly to the underlying process instead of being recreated across separate systems.

Why Business Process Agents Matter Now

Customer service organizations are under pressure to use AI for more than answering simple questions. They need AI to reduce the cost of service by resolving the complex issues that consume meaningful agent time.

But complexity has been the ceiling on automation.

The more important a support process becomes, the more likely it is to depend on detailed procedures, exceptions, business rules, customer context, and actions across multiple systems. Human teams already have SOPs to manage that complexity. Recreating the same logic separately for AI creates another version that has to be built, tested, governed, and maintained.

Business Process Agents remove that duplication.

Instead of creating one process for people and another for AI, companies can have AI run the processes they already use. People and AI share the same source of truth, changes only need to be made once, and automation can extend to processes that were previously too complicated or too risky to hand over to AI.

“Without Stonly, teams end up recreating the same processes for AI that their support teams already know how to follow,” Fogel explained. “The opportunity is much bigger than making prompts better. It is giving AI the ability to follow the same processes the business already trusts its people to follow.”

Availability

Stonly Business Process Agents are [available today / entering beta with select customers today]. Business Process Agents can be deployed directly to customers or used alongside human agents.

For more information, visit stonly.com.

About Stonly, Inc.

Stonly is the knowledge platform for customer service in the AI era. It helps support teams create, govern, and deliver accurate, structured knowledge for customers, support reps and AI, and turn that knowledge into processes that people and AI can follow. Stonly makes self-service, agent guidance, and AI more reliable and scalable. Backed by top venture capital firms Northzone and Accel, Stonly serves complex support environments at companies. Stonly is HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 Type 2 compliant. Learn more at stonly.com.

Press Contact:

Trilby Lawless
6464504044
stonly.com

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SOURCE Stonly, Inc.

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