National Geographic Launches Local-Language Edition in Iran

WASHINGTON (Nov. 20, 2012)—The National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, has launched a local-language edition of its official journal, National Geographic magazine, in Iran. This is the first time National Geographic has published in Iran. The local-language edition will be published in Farsi under the title “Gita Nama.” Babak Nikkhah Bahrami is the publisher.

Gita Nama will give readers access to the original content of the publication that has set the standard for excellence in reporting and photography for nearly 125 years. The magazine will be published as a monthly and will be available at popular newsstand kiosks and bookstores throughout Tehran. The single-issue newsstand price is 150,000 rials ($5.30 USD).

“We’re proud to offer the Iranian people a magazine that speaks to them in their language. The new edition will offer the people of Iran content, features and images in furtherance of our educational and scientific mission,” said Terry Adamson, executive vice president for the National Geographic Society. “With each monthly publication we hope to grow our audience and replicate the success we have seen with our other local-language editions.”

“Our launch of the magazine has received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from the readers and the media in Iran,” said Nikkah Bahrami. “The initial response indicates that Iranian readers have a strong affinity for the National Geographic Society and its publications. We are proud to introduce the first local-language edition of the magazine in Farsi, and we look forward to extending our reach in Iran as we move forward.”

Published in English since 1888, National Geographic magazine provides in-depth editorial coverage of cultures, nature, science and technology. The magazine reaches more than 60 million readers worldwide every month. In addition to its English edition, the magazine now appears in 37 local-language editions: Japanese, Spanish (separate editions for Spain and Latin America), Italian, Hebrew, Greek, French, German, Polish, Korean, Portuguese (separate editions for Portugal and Brazil), Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, Chinese (traditional characters), Chinese (simple characters), Finnish, Turkish, Thai, Czech, Hungarian, Romanian, Russian, Croatian, Bahasa, Bulgarian, Slovenian, Serbian, Lithuanian, Arabic, Estonian, Latvian, Georgian, Mongolian and Iranian.

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, expeditions, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches 440 million households in 171 countries in 38 languages. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 20 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com. Facebook: www.facebook.com/natgeo

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National Geographic Names Award-Winning Industry Veteran Brooke Runnette As President, National Geographic Television

WASHINGTON (Nov. 26, 2012)—Brooke Runnette has been named president of National Geographic Television (NGT), it was announced today by John Fahey, National Geographic Society chairman and CEO, to whom Runnette will report. She succeeds Maryanne Culpepper, whose departure was announced earlier this year.

Runnette is an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning producer who recently joined the National Geographic Channels from Discovery Channel, where she was executive producer and director of development for specials, including Shark Week. She will transition over the next month from her current position as vice president, development and special projects, at the Channels into the role at NGT.

“Our top priority at National Geographic Television is finding and producing the best content and original programming to support the international growth and influence of our cable channels around the world,” said Fahey. “Brooke joined the National Geographic Channels just as we were searching for the right executive to lead our television production group, and we quickly realized that she was the perfect fit for that key role — with the passion, drive, experience and industry knowledge that can continue and build the National Geographic Television franchise. Brooke’s track record speaks for itself, and we are excited to have her on our team.”

“We were thrilled to have Brooke join National Geographic Channels, and this next step will further our important partnership with National Geographic Television,” added David Lyle, CEO, National Geographic Channels. “The role of NGT in expanding upon our recent success will be critical, and Brooke is exactly the partner we will need to make this happen.”

“I am beyond excited at this incredible opportunity,” said Runnette. “The power of the National Geographic brand is unparalleled, and I look forward to working with the team at NGT in producing relevant, entertaining and powerful programming that becomes part of the television zeitgeist.”

One of Runnette’s first assignments at the National Geographic Channels was related to the network’s key spring 2013 series “The 80’s: The Decade That Made Us,” from Jane Root’s Nutopia, and she will continue to executive produce this important series as she transitions to NGT.

As president of NGT, Runnette will oversee innovative series, big special events and live programming that bring the stories of National Geographic’s scientists, explorers and unique storytellers to the National Geographic Channels. Her vast experience and reputation with the best nonfiction producers and production companies worldwide will enable her to deliver creative, groundbreaking content.

While at Discovery, Runnette put greater emphasis on natural history as part of Shark Week and increased Shark Week ratings. Under her direction, the 2010 Shark Week was the highest rated in the 23-year history of the annual event. She also led efforts within Discovery to work more closely with scientists and conservation organizations such as Oceana and the Pew Charitable Trust’s Global Shark Conservation group.

Other landmark specials Runnette oversaw while at Discovery included “The Kennedy Detail” (nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy Award), Discovery Channel’s 25th Anniversary Week, the Amelia Earhart expeditions and current affairs programming such as “Secrets of Seal Team 6.”

Prior to joining Discovery Channel, she worked at TLC as executive director of programming, where she was executive producer of the hit series “Little People, Big World.”

Runnette was a producer for ABC News’ “Nightline,” and also produced for “Frontline,” CBS’s “60 Minutes II” and for Peter Jennings at ABC News, among others.

About National Geographic Television

National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. NGS is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With more than 138 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, including recognition from the Peabody Awards, DuPont Columbia Awards and highest honors from natural history film festivals, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channels, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide, and also on PBS in the United States. Globally, National Geographic Channels are received by more than 440 million households in 38 languages in 171 countries.

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Youth in Bahamas Win Chance to Learn from National Geographic Photographer During National Geographic Photo Camp

NASSAU, The Bahamas (Nov. 21, 2012)—A group of talented Bahamian youth have won the opportunity to learn about photography from the best in the business during National Geographic Photo Camp in Cape Eleuthera, the Bahamas. From Tuesday, Nov. 27, to Saturday, Dec. 1, 20 students will learn the basics of photography from National Geographic photographer Raul Touzon and National Geographic photo editor Todd James. Photo Camp is presented by the National Geographic Society, the Bahamas National Drug Council (BNDC) and the United States Embassy, Nassau.

During the workshop, Touzon, James and Photo Camp staff will mentor the students on the basics of photography, photographic vision, equipment and technique. They will lead them through the process of creating a story through photography and writing.

The youth who will participate were picked as finalists in the first “Youth Expression Against Drugs” Essay, Rap and Poetry Competition, held by the U.S. Embassy and the  BNDC. The contest encouraged students in the Bahamas to consider the harmful impact of illegal drugs, how to resist negative peer pressure and act as leaders against drugs in their community, and to express that through essays, poems and raps. The program is part of a continuing partnership between the U.S. Embassy and the  BNDC to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and foster the development of young leaders in the Bahamas.

Following the theme of the BNDC’s campaign, “Drugs and Crime Are a Waste of Time,” Photo Camp will discover, document and reflect on the natural beauty of the Bahamas and the importance of preserving the islands and their people.

The Photo Camp will take place at the Island School in Cape Eleuthera, a destination for high school students from around the world who spend a semester or summer with a community of teachers and learners seeking to transcend traditional education models. The campus and surrounding ocean serve as the school’s laboratories. Some school staff members are volunteering to assist with Photo Camp.

“We hope that Photo Camp will provide an opportunity for these young people to discover their home and environment in a new way while also fostering positive attitudes and leadership skills,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Mission Programs. “We’ve seen Photo Camp activities give new voice to youth, and supporting Photo Camp allows National Geographic to further its mission to inspire people to care about the planet.”

Participants, their families and community members are invited to a final presentation of the students’ work at the conclusion of the workshop at 7 p.m. at the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Centre.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. has provided cameras for the Photo Camp.

National Geographic Photo Camp has provided programs for more than 1,000 young people in more than 60 locations since 2003. Photo Camp venues earlier this year were Baltimore, Md.; Pakistan; Qatar; and Haiti. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; expeditions; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

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Cesar Millan’s Short Guide to a Happy Dog: 98 Essential Tips and Techniques

Book Release Timed to Cesar’s New Nat Geo WILD Series

‘Cesar Millan’s Leader of the Pack,’ Premiering Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013

WASHINGTON (Nov. 26, 2012)—Not everyone can be a dog whisperer, but everyone can be the leader of their dog pack. Cesar Millan returns to television and bookstores in January with a new book, CESAR MILLAN’S SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY DOG: 98 Essential Tips and Techniques (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-1190-4; on sale Jan. 1, 2013; $21.95; hardcover), and a new Nat Geo WILD series, “Cesar Millan’s Leader of the Pack,” premiering Saturday, Jan. 5, at 10 p.m. ET/11 p.m. PT.

In CESAR MILLAN’S SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY DOG, Millan shows us how we can take charge and have a healthy, balanced dog. Moving beyond obedience-school basics, the book delves into important topics, such as picking the right dog for you, understanding the nature of your dog and identifying the causes of some of the most prevalent misbehaviors — and how to correct them. The chapter “Nine Simple Principles for a Balanced Dog” lays out core lessons based on Millan’s uncanny understanding of dog psychology. Drawing on his own struggles and life experiences, Millan shows how dogs are influenced by their owners’ stressors and joys.

CESAR MILLAN’S SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY DOG has advice on issues such as:

Putting an end to excessive barking;Introducing a new puppy to your home or another dog;Addressing separation anxiety;Establishing boundaries and the proper way to enforce them;Dealing with overexcitement through holistic methods such as smell;Re-establishing your place as pack leader to eliminate aggression.

The book is more than a training guide; it is also an intimate look into Millan’s own life. He discusses his journey to the United States and his early life here as an illegal immigrant; his child’s difficulties with ADHD; the death of his beloved pit bull, Daddy; his recent and unexpected divorce; and even his own depression and attempted suicide. While he and his family were dealing with these changes, he noticed the effect on his dog. Millan found that life changes dramatically impact dogs, and in this book he shares ways to manage those changes.

Easy to follow and packed with Millan’s remarkable insights into human and dog behavior, CESAR MILLAN’S SHORT GUIDE TO A HAPPY DOG is an inspiring tool to help people live a better life with a canine family member.

In each episode of “Cesar Millan’s Leader of the Pack,” premiering Jan. 5 on Nat Geo WILD, Millan combats the global issue of canine abandonment, giving “unadoptable” dogs a second chance and coaching families across Europe who are vying for the opportunity to adopt these lucky pups.

About the Author

Cesar Millan is a best-selling author, a much-in-demand public speaker, a branded pet care product designer/entrepreneur and, not least of all, international star of Nat Geo WILD’s “Cesar Millan’s Leader of the Pack” and the iconic TV series “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.” In addition to “Cesar Millan’s Short Guide to a Happy Dog,” Millan has co-authored six books: the New York Times No. 1 best-seller “Cesar’s Way,” the New York Times best-seller “Be the Pack Leader,” “Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: The Ultimate Episode Guide,” “A Member of the Family,” “How to Raise the Perfect Dog” and “Cesar’s Rules.” He also has generated numerous instructional DVDs and CDs, and continues to host a popular series of seminars where attendees learn how to apply his extensive knowledge of dog psychology and rehabilitation techniques. In 2007, Cesar officially launched The Cesar Millan Foundation, a national nonprofit organization designed to aid and support the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of abused and abandoned dogs. For more information, visit www.cesarsway.com.

About National Geographic Books

National Geographic Books is a global publisher of 125 new books annually in Adult and

Children’s combined, as well as a publisher of digital content and services with more than 50 partners who translate our books.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; live events; interactive media; merchandise; and travel programs. For more information on National Geographic Books, visit facebook.com/NatGeoBooks and nationalgeographic.com/books.

About Nat Geo WILD

For more than 30 years, National Geographic has been the leader in wildlife programming.  The networks Nat Geo WILD and Nat Geo WILD HD, launched in 2010, offer intimate encounters with nature’s ferocious fighters and gentle creatures of land, sea and air that draw upon the cutting-edge work of the many explorers, filmmakers and scientists of the National Geographic Society. Part of the National Geographic Channels US, based in Washington, D.C., the networks are a joint venture between National Geographic and Fox Cable Networks.  In 2001, National Geographic Channel (NGC) debuted, and 10 years later, Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels have carriage with all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with Nat Geo WILD currently available in 56 million U.S. homes. Globally, Nat Geo WILD is available in more than 100 million homes in 90 countries and 28 languages. For more information, visit www.natgeowild.com.

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National Geographic Store Offers Explorer-Inspired Holiday Items For Unique Gift Giving

WASHINGTON (Nov. 20, 2012)—Founded nearly 125 years ago, National Geographic is synonymous with exploration and discovery. For holiday 2012, the National Geographic Store (www.ngstore.com, 800-437-5221) offers a selection of gifts to appeal to the explorer in all of us.

The Store’s unique collection of beautiful, handmade clothing and home decorative items from around the world is supplemented by National Geographic’s award-winning DVDs, books, maps and more. Shoppers should also check the store regularly for limited-time-only sales, including on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

These holiday gifts make a difference by supporting National Geographic’s ongoing mission of research, education, conservation and exploration. Follow @NGStore on Twitter for the latest deals and visit our blog to learn the stories behind our artisanal items: http://blog.store.nationalgeographic.com/.

The National Geographic Store’s top picks for 2012 include:

Genographic 2.0 Public Participation Kit

Join more than a half million people who have participated in our Genographic Project, with the new Geno 2.0 kit that uses powerful cutting-edge technology and advanced DNA analysis to provide the richest ancestry information available. Your participation is essential to further explore and document the history and pathways of the human journey. Shipping to U.S. addresses is free on Geno 2.0 kits.  $199.95

Complete National Geographic

Browse 123 years of National Geographic magazine — the articles, photographs and maps published exactly as they appeared in print. Now updated to include 2011 issues, the definitive collection of every issue of National Geographic magazine is digitally reproduced in high resolution. Use the visual interface to explore a topic, find photographs, browse the globe or wander on your own expedition.  $49.95

Personalized Framed “Your Year” NGM

Who doesn’t recall National Geographic magazine being part of their lives when growing up? Now you can commemorate an important year or a milestone event with a framed copy of the magazine. We have limited copies of most issues from 1913 through 2009, presented in a black or walnut frame with a unique accessible back panel that allows you to remove and page through the issue. The frame can be personalized with an engraved brass plaque with up to 22 letters.  $99.00

National Geographic Travel Clock

Small enough to pack in a pocket, this solid timepiece is a precision marvel of miniaturization built to travel. A cover etched with the National Geographic Society seal folds back to create a stand for the full-service, quartz-movement alarm clock that features easy-to-read luminescent hands and numbers and a mineral glass crystal face.   $34.95

National Geographic “My World” Personalized Map

Chart your past explorations, your travel destinations or the roots of your family tree with this personalized, earth-toned world map. National Geographic’s award-winning cartography is available as a map that is yours to customize. Specify up to 70 characters of your choice for the map title — The Wells Family Travels or The Hill-Brown Family’s Genealogy, for example. Also included are 100 map pins to mark locations that inspire memories and spark your imagination.  $159.00

125th Anniversary Book

From the top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the National Geographic Society has been spreading the spirit of discovery and exploration around the world for 125 years. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, author and historian Mark Jenkins tells the rich history of the Society as never before in “National Geographic 125 Years: Legendary Photographs, Discoveries, and Adventures that Changed the World.”  $50.00

National Geographic Eaton Tripod Globe

This new globe features the latest National Geographic cartography in colors reminiscent of parchment globes from centuries past. More than 4,000 place-names give an accurate view of contemporary political boundaries. Raised relief helps distinguish topographic features around the world. The die-cast meridian and brass knobs add to the classic look.  $379.00

Circumnavigation of Iceland Trip

For the trip of a lifetime, gift a National Geographic Expedition. New for 2013 is a circumnavigation of Iceland with National Geographic photographer Chris Rainier to experience an enchanting land of geological extremes. Encounter vast volcanic landscapes, soak in hot springs and get up close to spectacular sculptures in ice.  $7,990 and up

Doomsday Preppers Season One DVD

Follow a group of people as they obsessively prepare for the apocalypse — each expecting the world to end in a different way, for a different reason, at a different time. From bunkers to fortified, off-the-grid homesteads, see how these Doomsday Preppers go to extremes to make sure they are ready for just about anything. The DVD includes every episode of season one of the hit TV show plus the bonus program “American Doomsday.”   $29.9

Nat Geo WILD Anteater Bug Vac

Have fun with an anteater vac that has an appetite for collecting all kinds of insects and bugs. With the touch of a button, you can quickly and safely gather up bugs to observe in the anteater’s removable belly chamber. The slide-out belly viewing area contains a flip-top magnifier to view bugs up close. After you’re done viewing the bugs, release them back into their habitats unharmed. Fun for ages 5 and up.   $27.00

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

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National Geographic Announces 2012 Travelers of the Year

WASHINGTON (Nov. 26, 2012)—National Geographic Traveler magazine today announces its new Travelers of the Year initiative. The honorees for 2012 are boundary breakers, who explore the world with passion and purpose, inspiring others to expand their horizons, ask big questions and seek new answers. The Travelers of the Year are featured in the December 2012/January 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine and online at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/travelers-of-the-year/.

This year’s honorees include a high school librarian and a Maasai warrior who teamed up to bring the Serengeti to schoolchildren in Denver; a modern nomad who is documenting the oral histories of everyday Americans; a 29-year-old grad student who has established the Bread Houses Network in 12 countries, where people from all cultures and walks of life can bake bread together, share stories and form friendships; and a 15-year-old online travel host who scripts and stars in a video series that reveals the world through the eyes and experiences of young people.

The 2012 Travelers of the Year are:

Paula Busey and Samwel Melami Langidare Mollel, who teamed up to bring the Maasai culture to kids in Colorado;Heather Greenwood Davis; husband, Ishmael; and sons, Ethan, 10, and Cameron, 8, who chronicled their yearlong, round-the-world adventure on globetrottingmama.com;Diana Gross, a teacher whose globe-spanning goal is to digitally connect students and teachers by bringing technical education and video training to underserved communities;Theron Humphrey, who took a year to see America and record the story of one person on film and video every day;Mary Jean Jecklin and Kelley Rea, who, through their website PACforkids.com, help travelers to developing countries identify how, why, where and what to give to needy children living there;Booker Mitchell, a Manhattan high-schooler who brings off-the-rails adventures to a new generation;Robert Pennicott, who led the first-ever circumnavigation of Australia by rubber dinghy to raise funds for conservation and polio eradication;Amy Russell, who is walking the length of Africa to raise funds for clean water;Nadezhda Savova, who bakes up cross-cultural connections;Linda Yuen, an 85-year-old who travels the world, continually seeking new destinations and experiences.

“We sifted through hundreds of nominations to pick world-shaking people on innovative missions,” said George Stone, contributing editor of National Geographic Traveler. “Each of these dedicated voluntourists, green-minded adventurers and culture-embracing pilgrims reminds us that we have the power to reach beyond the bubble of our daily lives, learn from locals in far-flung places and make a difference both around the world and in our own neighborhoods.”

To learn more about each Traveler of the Year through photos and interviews, go to http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/travelers-of-the-year/, or check out the December 2012/January 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine, on newsstands Tuesday, Dec. 4.

About National Geographic Traveler Magazine

National Geographic Traveler: Nobody Knows This World Better. National Geographic Traveler is the world’s most widely read travel magazine. Published eight times a year, Traveler is available by subscription, on newsstands in the United States and Canada and digitally for tablets like the iPad (on Zinio) and Nook (at BN.com). Its website (www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler) offers inspiring and authoritative digital content including trip ideas, photo galleries and blogs. It also houses travel apps, including 50 Places of a Lifetime that showcases the world’s greatest destinations handpicked by National Geographic’s family of globe-trotting contributors, and the award-winning National Parks app, filled with stunning pictures, maps and tips to explore America’s national parks.

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Southern India’s Caste System Predates Arrival of Indo-Europeans, Genographic Project Reveals

WASHINGTON (Nov. 28, 2012)—A study by the Genographic Project has given new insight into how demographic factors have shaped genetic diversity in Indian populations. Among the most surprising findings was that genetic differences between tribal and caste groups in Tamil Nadu seem to pre-date the arrival of the Indo-Europeans in the region by approximately 2,000 years.

Published today in the journal PLOS ONE, the study was led by principal investigator Ramasamy Pitchappan of the Genographic Project’s Indian Regional Center at Chettinad Academy of Research & Education in Chennai.

Contemporary Indian populations exhibit great cultural, morphological and linguistic diversity. The study sought to answer the contentious question of whether India’s contemporary genetic patterns are a result of long-term occupation, perhaps dating to just after humans left Africa about 60,000 years ago, or if they have been substantially impacted by more recent migration into the region.

“Our conclusions provide a new framework to better understand the relative impacts of demographic events and other cultural, social and economic factors that might have influenced modern genetic diversity in India,” Pitchappan, the senior author, said.

Indian populations can be broadly divided into “tribal” and “non-tribal.” Tribal groups constitute 8 percent of the Indian population and are characterized by traditional modes of subsistence such as hunting and gathering. In contrast, the majority of the non-tribal populations are classified as castes under the Hindu Varna (color caste) system, which groups the population based primarily on occupation. The system embodies strict marital rules preventing marriage among different castes.

The study applied a novel analytical strategy to unravel the population structure and genetic history of the southernmost state of India, Tamil Nadu, which is known for its rigid caste system. One of the aims of the study was to explore whether genetic differences observed among Tamil Nadu populations could be attributed to the establishment of the Hindu Varna system approximately 2,000 years ago by Indo-Europeans from northern India. The genetic data were also interpreted in reference to the paleoclimatic, archaeological and historical evidence from this region.

A total of 1,680 men from 12 tribal and 19 non-tribal (caste) Tamil Nadu populations were analyzed for markers on the paternally inherited Y-chromosome. Overall, the populations were characterized by Y-chromosome lineages (81 percent) that likely originated within India. The results suggest a minimal genetic influence in Tamil Nadu from the main western Eurasian migrations reported in the last 10,000 years, including the spread of agricultural populations from the Fertile Crescent during the Neolithic period. Although non-tribal groups exhibited a slightly higher proportion of non-Indian paternal lineages than tribal populations, the common paternal lineages shared among them are likely drawn from the same ancestral genetic pool that emerged in India during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene (10,000-30,000 years ago).

The genetic data also revealed that genetic differentiation among populations in Tamil Nadu began as early as 6,000 years ago, with no significant genetic admixture among them for at least the last 3,000 years. These results indicate a minimal genetic impact from the Indo-European migrations into the region over the past 2,000 years. These results are consistent with the earliest historical records of the region that document a highly structured society prior to the establishment of the Hindu Varna system. Rather, the timing of the Y-chromosomal differentiation among Tamil Nadu populations seems to fit better with the emergence of agricultural technology in South India and the resulting demographic shifts during the Neolithic period.

Genographic Project manager and one of the lead authors of the study David Soria-Hernanz explains that “the rigorous sampling and analytical approach used in the study allowed us to dissect the confounding relationships among multiple socio-cultural factors in Tamil Nadu, allowing us to further explore and test in detail the relationships between social structure and genetics.”

Project director and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Spencer Wells noted, “This study is a wonderful example of how human culture, and particularly the shift to an agricultural mode of subsistence during the Neolithic period, has had a profound impact on modern patterns of genetic diversity.”

Background: The Genographic Project seeks to chart new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species and answer age-old questions surrounding the genetic diversity of humanity. The project is a nonprofit, multi-year, global research initiative. At the core of the project is a global consortium following an ethical and scientific framework and responsible for sample collection and analysis in their respective regions. Members of the public can participate in the Genographic Project by purchasing a Genographic Participation Kit — Geno 2.0 — from the Genographic website (www.genographic.com), where they can also choose to donate their genetic results to the research effort. A portion of the proceeds of the kits help further research and support a Legacy Fund for indigenous and traditional peoples’ community-led language revitalization and cultural projects.

NOTES: To view the PLOS ONE article, visit: http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0050269.

Images are available at http://press2.nationalgeographic.com/downloads/geno/.

Username: Press / Password: Press

Full press kit, including details on the Geno 2.0 kits, is available at https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/press/.

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National Geographic’s ‘Digital Nomad’ Andrew Evans Embarks on Tanzanian Adventure

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2012)—Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “Digital Nomad,” has embarked on an adventure to explore Tanzania. For the next four weeks, Evans will tweet, blog, vlog and “Instagram” on NationalGeographic.com’s Digital Nomad blog (http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/), his Twitter feed @WheresAndrew and his Where’s Andrew Facebook page.

“I can’t wait to explore the wild side of Tanzania, far off the beaten path, in the heart of the African wilderness,” said Evans “National Geographic’s very own history lies in the forests, plains and shores of Tanzania, and I am honored to be a part of this great legacy.”

With followers in tow, Evans plans to dive the Indian Ocean coral reefs of Zanzibar island; explore Tanzania’s largest national park, Ruaha; and visit the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park, where Jane Goodall performed her groundbreaking research on primates for National Geographic. Also on the itinerary are the ancient markets of Zanzibar; a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa; and a visit to Katavi, one of the least-accessible regions of Tanzania.

“Andrew continues to push the boundaries of travel and exploration with his latest trip to Tanzania,” said Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler magazine editor in chief. “National Geographic is approaching its 125th anniversary in January, and it’s exciting to see how far travel has come in that time. With the help of social media, people all across the world can follow Andrew from the coral reefs of Zanzibar to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.”

Evans is a veteran travel writer for National Geographic Traveler magazine and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. His most recent assignments have taken him Around the World by Private Jet with National Geographic Expeditions and to Switzerland and Norway.

These trips came on the heels of a journey through South Africa and Malawi, where he was one of the first people to report the death of Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika. In February he visited Maya sites in Mexico. Last year he explored the best of Ontario, Canada; tweeted and blogged around Japan; and wined and dined his way through Louisiana, experiencing the best of the bayou and New Orleans. He finished the year skiing, snow-shoeing and trekking through western Canada’s ski country with renowned mountaineers, ski instructors and naturalists.

In 2010 Evans journeyed from Washington, D.C., to Antarctica — a 10,000-mile trip through 14 countries — using public transportation as far as he could go. He rode buses to Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, and then boarded the National Geographic Explorer to Antarctica.

About National Geographic Traveler Magazine

National Geographic Traveler: Nobody Knows This World Better. National Geographic Traveler is the world’s most widely read travel magazine. Published eight times a year, Traveler is available by subscription, on newsstands in the United States and Canada and digitally for tablets like the iPad (on Zinio) and Nook (at BN.com). Its website (www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler) offers inspiring and authoritative digital content including trip ideas, photo galleries and blogs. It also houses travel apps, including 50 Places of a Lifetime that showcases the world’s greatest destinations handpicked by National Geographic’s family of globe-trotting contributors, and the award-winning National Parks app, filled with stunning pictures, maps and tips to explore America’s national parks.

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TRUE LOVE: 24 Surprising Stories of Animal Affection

WASHINGTON (Nov. 30, 2012)—Forget Romeo and Juliet. This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love with National Geographic’s new book TRUE LOVE: 24 Surprising Stories of Animal Affection (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-1036-5; Jan. 2, 2013; $9.95 hardcover). Filled with heartwarming tales and adorable photographs, this book is the perfect gift for that special someone.

Author and National Geographic Kids magazine executive editor Rachel Buchholz has been collecting inspiring stories of love in the animal kingdom for the last decade. TRUE LOVE is the compilation of her 24 favorites, including the flamingo who sat on a stone in hopes it would hatch into a baby; the surprising bond between a gorilla and rabbit at Erie Zoo; and the lovesick dog who snuck out in the middle of the night to track down his lady love.

The stories are divided into different sections to showcase the full gamut of love and devotion throughout the animal world: Brothers & Sisters; Parents & Caregivers; Best Friends; and Real Romantics. In addition to touching tales such as the dolphin that jumped into his killer whale best friend’s tank for an overnight play date and the hen that acted as a surrogate mother to a litter of puppies, TRUE LOVE contains inspirational quotes on the importance of love, family and friendship from Bill Cosby, Aristotle, Robert Frost, Agatha Christie and more.

“As executive editor of National Geographic Kids magazine, I constantly read stories of amazing animal devotion,” Buchholz writes in the book’s introduction. “These tales are extremely popular, and it’s easy to see why: If animals can show kindness and love, surely humans can as well.”

An affordable and adorable gift this Valentine’s Day — or any day — TRUE LOVE is the perfect way to spread a little love to those you care about most.

About the Author

Rachel Buchholz is the executive editor of National Geographic Kids and National Geographic Little Kids magazines. In her nearly 20 years of editing for the tween market, she has learned that dogs love to skateboard, that ghosts live in the White House, and that if you’re in doubt, run a story about Harry Potter. Buchholz has helped National Geographic Kids’ 1.2 million readers set five Guinness World Records. She is the author of “How to Survive Anything: Shark Attack, Lightning, Embarrassing Parents, Pop Quizzes, and Other Perilous Situations.” Buchholz is a former editor at Boys’ Life magazine in Dallas.

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National Geographic Magazine Reporter Dan Stone Embarks on Environmental Road Trip Through California

WASHINGTON (Nov. 28, 2012)—Dan Stone, National Geographic magazine’s newest reporter, embarks today on an environmental road trip through California in search of new ideas, big thinkers and innovations that will power the planet’s future. For the next two weeks, Stone will tweet, blog and “Instagram” on NationalGeographic.com’s Change Reaction blog (NationalGeographic.com/changereaction) and his Twitter feed @NatGeoDan.

“California is a real hotbed of innovation and new ideas, some of which will change how we get around and others will affect what we eat,” said Stone. “I’m excited to get on the road to explore the best ones and to share them with my followers.”

Along the way, Stone plans to cover such concepts as the tiny house movement, car sharing and water-saving landscapes. He’ll take story suggestions from fans through his blog, his Twitter feed and the hashtag #CAroadtrip. The trip, sponsored by Volkswagen, will kick off at San Diego State University. Stone will drive a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, which won’t be available to the public until next month.

“Our magazine has never done anything like this before,” said Margaret Zackowitz, a National Geographic senior editor. “We know Dan will find some great stories on the road, and thanks to social media, we can all go along for the ride.”

Stone covers energy and environmental science for National Geographic magazine. A former White House correspondent for Newsweek and The Daily Beast, he joined National Geographic to report on innovation and the people powering the future. His work has appeared in Scientific American, E (the environmental magazine) and on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” He lives in Washington, D.C., and, back in college, he spent two summers in California’s central valley as a sniffer and taster on the hunt for the perfect strawberry.

National Geographic magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. It has won 12 National Magazine Awards in the past five years: for Best Tablet Edition in 2012; Magazine of the Year and Single-Topic Issue in 2011; for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Essays, plus two Digital Media Awards for Best Photography and Best Community, in 2010; for Photojournalism in 2009; and for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Reporting in 2008. The magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit education and scientific organizations. Published in English and 36 local-language editions, the magazine has a global circulation of around 8 million. It is sent each month to National Geographic members and is available on newsstands for $5.99 a copy. Single copies can be ordered by calling (800) NGS-LINE, also the number to call for membership to the Society.

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National Geographic Announces Nominees and Start of Online Voting For People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year

WASHINGTON (Nov. 1, 2012)—National Geographic announced today the start of online voting for its annual People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year contest. The nominees for 2013 are 10 adventure innovators whose extraordinary achievement in exploration, conservation, humanitarianism and adventure sports have distinguished them in the past year. Fans can go to http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/2013/ to vote every day for their favorite nominee. The adventurer with the most votes on Jan. 16, 2013, will be the 2013 People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.

This year’s nominees include a surfer who rides giant waves; a skier who landed the first sit-ski backflip; a mountain biker who pedaled across cultural boundaries; and a BASE jumper who jumped from space. The 10 nominees are:

Felix Baumgartner — Austrian BASE jumperJosh Dueck — Canadian skierSteve Fisher — South African kayakerShannon Galpin — American humanitarianLizzy Hawker — British ultrarunnerJeremy Jones — American snowboarderDavid Lama — Austrian climberMike Libecki — American explorerRamon Navarro — Chilean surferRenan Ozturk — American artist

“This is the eighth year that National Geographic has combed the globe to find people who have pioneered innovation in the world of adventure. This year’s Adventurer of the Year nominees have pushed the boundaries of exploration and adventure,” said Mary Anne Potts, editor of National Geographic Adventure online.

To learn more about each adventurer through photos, interviews and a video and to vote every day for the People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year, go to http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/adventurers-of-the-year/2013/.

National Geographic Society

            The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. National Geographic reflects the world through its magazines, television programs, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions, live events, travel programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, published in English and 36 local-language editions, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches 440 million households in 171 countries in 38 languages. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 20 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

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Declare Your Interdependence! Celebrate Geography Awareness Week with National Geographic

WASHINGTON (Nov. 2, 2012)—Seventy-five percent of the farms that produce cocoa beans (the main ingredient in chocolate) are in West Africa; Cote d’Ivoire alone produces more than 30 percent of the world’s cocoa beans. However, Africa accounts for less than 3 percent of the world’s chocolate consumption. Schools and communities across the country will explore global connections and intersections like this during this year’s Geography Awareness Week, Nov. 11-17, with its theme “Geography: Declare Your Interdependence.”

Geography Awareness Week, established by presidential proclamation in 1987, is an annual public awareness program led by National Geographic that celebrates the importance of geography education. Each year, more than 100,000 Americans take part in Geography Awareness Week activities through programs in their schools, local communities and even their own backyards. Every year, National Geographic chooses a theme for Geography Awareness Week; this year’s “Geography: Declare Your Interdependence” theme investigates the idea that we are all are connected to the rest of the world through the decisions we make on a daily basis, including what foods we eat and the things we buy.

“This year’s theme explores the fact that every place on Earth is connected to every other, directly or indirectly,” said Danny Edelson, National Geographic’s vice president for Education. “For example, a drought in Mexico could affect the availability of fresh produce in the United States, especially in the winter and spring. To make good decisions in today’s world, people have to understand the connections that link places together.”

Geography Awareness Week’s online hub www.GAWeek.org, hosted on National Geographic Education Programs’ award-winning website NatGeoEd.org, offers access to activities, games and more, all relating geography to a variety of subjects as well as day-to-day life. This year’s new online activity is the global closet calculator, which lets site users examine the contents of their closets to see where on the planet their belongings come from, and compare their closets to those of others around the world.

The site features contributions from National Geographic and partner organizations such as WorldSavvy, National Environmental Education Foundation, National Council for Geographic Education and Esri. Educators and parents will find valuable lists of activities for at home and in the classroom, geographer profiles, family-friendly games and a downloadable Geography Awareness Week poster. Site visitors also can read and contribute to a Geography Awareness Week Blog-a-Thon, updated multiple times daily with commentary and multimedia features.

The website provides the opportunity to join nearly 10,000 geography supporters in promoting geo-literacy. A link to Speak Up for Geography (www.speakupforgeography.org) invites visitors to write to their senators and representatives to request federal funding for geography education.

Geography Awareness Week recently launched a CafePress store, with customizable merchandise. From Nov. 5 to 17, shoppers can get a 15 percent discount by entering the code GAWEEK at checkout.

In addition, National Geographic Emerging Explorer and self-described “Guerrilla Geographer” Daniel Raven-Ellison will be hosting a Google hangout video chat on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. ET. Check out the Nat Geo Education blog to find out how to participate.

Raven-Ellison, who believes in encouraging children and adults to experience the world around them in a more meaningful way, will present a lecture on “guerilla geography” at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., on November 13 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available online via the National Geographic Live website.

On the local level, during Geography Awareness Week, grassroots organizers around the country will host events, workshops and contests at local schools and community centers. The website offers a toolkit with resources on how to host a local Geography Awareness Week event, such as a community festival or a geography trivia evening.

Geography Awareness Week 2012 is supported by the Geo-Literacy Coalition, whose members include CH2M HILL, Esri, Google and the National Geographic Society.

About the Geo-Literacy Coalition

The Geo-Literacy Coalition is an alliance of organizations working to improve the preparation of Americans for 21st-century decision-making. The members of the Geo-Literacy Coalition are CH2M HILL, a global leader in consulting, design, design-build, operations and program management for government, civil, industrial and energy clients; Esri, which develops the world’s leading geographic information system (GIS) technology that enables organizations of all sizes in both the public and private sectors to take advantage of their geographic data; Google, a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information; and National Geographic.

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; travel programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

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National Geographic Kids Magazine Sets Out to Claim 2 Guinness World Records® Titles Tied to Running and Recycling

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT

On Saturday, Oct. 27, media are invited to watch 3,600 kids help break the Guinness World Records? title for most people running 100 meters within a 24-hour period. Through National Geographic Kids’ Run for the Planet program, in coordination with the Marine Corps Marathon’s Healthy Kids Fun Run, the Pentagon North parking lot will be packed with kids devoted to fitness, with Marines cheering them on.

Kids Run participants will contribute to the record as they complete a one-miler, and all runners will be observed by Guinness World Records representative Mike Janela. Per record rules, runners also will be confirmed by two independent witnesses: healthy lifestyle coach Kathy Pugh, owner of women’s running boot camp EZ8DC; and DeShay Williams, co-owner of personal training studio Definitions (both of Washington, D.C.). In addition, runners worldwide will help set the record with 100-meter runs between noon ET, Friday, Oct. 26, and noon ET Saturday, Oct. 27. Five thousand participants are needed for the record.

To simultaneously engage people in recycling, National Geographic Kids is also collecting old athletic shoes for the longest chain of shoes. With the help of Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, the sneakers will be recycled into Nike Grind — a material used in athletic surfaces such as basketball courts and running tracks — after they have been tied into a chain later this year. The goal: 25,000 shoes. Shoes contributed by stars such as the NFL’s Eli Manning and race car driver Danica Patrick can be seen at National Geographic’s Washington headquarters, 1145 17th St. NW, where people can also drop off their shoes through Nov. 9.

Macerich malls across the country — including Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Va. — will be holding events. See macerich.com/ngkids for details. For more on either record attempt, go to kids.nationalgeographic.com/run-for-the-planet/.

WHERE:

Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run, Pentagon North Parking Lot

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Final wave organized by National Geographic
Kids: 11:57 a.m.

WHO:

Rachel Buchholz, Executive Editor, National Geographic Kids magazine
Mike Janela, Head of U.S. Records Management, Guinness World Records North America, Inc.

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National Geographic Magazine Launches iPhone Edition

WASHINGTON (Oct. 31, 2012)—National Geographic magazine has launched an iPhone edition with its November 2012 issue, providing daily updates and rich content, including stunning video of penguins leaping out of icy waters by BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Paul Nicklen as well as never-before-seen, high-definition, slow-motion footage of cheetahs.

The iPhone edition has daily feeds of news, Instagram photographs from magazine photographers on assignment and photos from the magazine’s online community of fan photographers, offering unique, fresh content each time a user opens the app. Additionally, users will get new, photo-based jigsaw puzzles daily, based on the popular puzzle page of the magazine’s website. Three of the feature articles in the app will be available as audio recordings.

“Designing the magazine for the iPhone required rethinking the entire user experience,” said Bill Marr, National Geographic’s creative director. “We’ve organized the content so that it is easy to navigate on the phone, with text, photos and video arranged in a way that allows users to quickly find what they want. We’ve also simplified our interactive graphics for the iPhone screen and added audio recordings, so users can listen on the go. Most of all, we’ve tried to make the app fun — with daily puzzles and photo feeds that people can enjoy any time they open it.”

The magazine’s iPad edition won the 2012 National Magazine Award for best tablet magazine. Current print subscribers can authenticate into both the iPad and iPhone editions. New subscribers can purchase the magazine at the App Store or National Geographic’s website.

About National Geographic magazine

National Geographic magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. It won a National Magazine Award in 2012 for best tablet edition as well as a further 13 National Magazine Awards in the previous five years: for Magazine of the Year and Single-Topic Issue in 2011; for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Essays, plus two Digital Media Awards for Best Photography and Best Community, in 2010; for Photojournalism in 2009; for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Reporting in 2008; and for General Excellence and Photography in 2007.

The magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit education and scientific organizations. Published in English and 36 local-language editions, the magazine has a global circulation of around 8 million. It is sent out each month to National Geographic members and is available on newsstands for $5.99 a copy. Single copies can be ordered by calling (800) NGS-LINE, also the number to call for membership to the Society.

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National Geographic Magazine, November 2012

November 2012 NGM Highlights - View as PDF

This month, we capture the first ever slow-motion, high-definition running of the world’s fastest land mammal, the cheetah, with one of the world’s fastest cameras. In addition, scientists discover the secret of the emperor penguin’s incredible underwater speed. Elsewhere, Cuba’s new now is explored, as the people are responding to reform with excitement and skepticism; a paragliding photographer, George Steinmetz, captures the desert’s shifting sand shapes from above; strands of yarn may help unravel a lost chapter of New World History; and 40 years later, a photographer returns to the Arkansas Delta to see then vs. now.

Cheetah, the World’s Fastest Runner video  — For the first time ever, one of the world’s fastest cameras captures the movement of the world’s fastest land mammal – in incredible high-def, slow motion.The Science of a Cheetah’s Speed video  — From spine to skull, a body “perfectly designed for running.”A Geographer’s Personal Journey from Cuba to the U.S. video — National Geographic Geographer Juan Vald?s shares his story of immigration to the United States from Cuba as a child in the early 1960s.Penguins as Elegant Emperors video —  Join photographer Paul Nicklen to see penguins rocketing out of the water onto the ice.Penguin Feather Power interactive graphic  — Drag the bar on the graphic to propel a penguin and see the steps it takes to rocket from sea to ice.Above the Desert video — Rise above the desert for incredible views with paragliding photographer George Steinmetz.Sand Dune Formation graphic — Tap on photos of sand dune formations to see how their sizes are determined and their shapes are formed.

Features:

Cheetahs on the Edge, by Roff Smith, photographs by Frans Lanting (Page 110). Shy, delicately built and unable to roar, cheetahs are one of the most vulnerable of the big cats. Fewer than 10,000 survive in the wild. While highly threatened, they are also shrewd survivors. Certain “supermoms” have astonishing success in raising cubs and even foster the offspring of others. Says one scientist, “I’m not aware of any other carnivore whose survival relies so heavily on the success of so few females.” A remarkable anatomical diagram shows the many features that make cheetahs unique, while a pullout poster documents a 7.19-second 100-meter dash by cheetah Tommy T at the Cincinnati Zoo. Smith and Lanting are available for interviews.

Cuba’s New Now, by Cynthia Gorney, photographs by Paolo Pellegrin (Page 36). Four years after Fidel Castro formally handed Cuba’s presidency to younger brother Ra?l, the country is gradually shedding the ascetic nationalism of the revolution and becoming more open, flexible and entrepreneurial. Cynthia Gorney spent nine weeks over the course of two years traveling and interviewing both the optimists — many of whom are experimenting with new business ideas in a changing economy — and the pessimists, who are making plans to flee the island in pursuit of opportunities abroad. Meanwhile, everyone must grapple with the difficulties of the country’s two-currency system that fuels a lucrative black market and forces professionals like doctors to moonlight as cab drivers to make ends meet. Gorney’s text and Paolo Pellegrin’s photos highlight Cuba’s complexities, paradoxes and tensions as change slowly seeps into the country. Gorney and Pellegrin are available for interviews.

Penguin Bubbles, by Glenn Hodges, photographs by Paul Nicklen (Page 60). Shortly after British marine biologist Roger Hughes had been discussing the lubricating properties of competitive swimsuits with his wife, he saw emperor penguins “rocketing through the sea with trails of bubbles in their wakes” and wondered if the bubbles helped penguins swim faster. Hughes teamed with a mechanical engineer and another biologist to analyze hours of underwater footage and they discovered penguins use air as a lubricant to cut drag and increase speed. Air released from the penguin’s feathers in the form of tiny bubbles reduces the density and viscosity of the water around its body, enabling the bird to reach speeds that would otherwise be impossible. Shipping companies are now adopting air-lubrication systems to improve the efficiency of their containerships and supertankers. Paul Nicklen’s stunning photos capture the emperor penguins and their subtle adaptation in action. Hodges and Nicklen are available for interviews.

Vikings and Native Americans, by Heather Pringle, photographs by David Coventry (Page 80). Viking seafarers were “explorers par excellence of medieval Europe,” traveling as far as the coast of Newfoundland. Yet new evidence suggests that they had ventured even further north, to the northern tip of Baffin Island, one of the most inhospitable areas in North America. There, it seems, they constructed semipermanent housing and established a lucrative exchange of goods with native Dorset people, who ranged the eastern Arctic coast for nearly 2,000 years. Carvings of wood and walrus ivory found in Baffin — along with spun-wool yarn — indicate friendly contact between Vikings and these aboriginal Native Americans. There is also evidence that trade in furs and other luxuries seems to have flourished. Following a subtle trail of artifacts, archaeologist Patricia Sutherland is searching for a lost chapter of New World history. Pringle and Coventry are available for interviews.

Sailing the Dunes, photographs and text by George Steinmetz (Page 94). George Steinmetz learned to fly a motorized paraglider — one of the slowest aircraft in the world — in order to take aerial photographs of the Sahara. But what began as a means to an end for an assignment blossomed into a 15-year project to photograph the world’s most extreme deserts. The barchans, seifs, star dunes and other wind-blown sand shapes are variegated and highly textured when captured by Steinmetz’s lens, and his aerial images provide the viewer with a unique perspective on the desert. Steinmetz is available for interviews.

Return to the Arkansas Delta, by Charles Bowden, photographs by Eugene Richards (Page 124). Twelve thousand years ago, the end of the Ice Age and the melting of glaciers began a process that turned the Arkansas Delta into a promised land of agricultural fertility. American settlers and slaves turned the swamps into gold through the cash crop of cotton, but the wealth was impermanent and unevenly distributed. Eugene Richards moved to the delta during the civil rights movement of the late ’60s hoping to help improve the lives of the locals, and he began using his camera to document the poverty and violence throughout the area. There he met the woman who became his wife and endured violence and intimidation. Forty years later, he returns to consider the people and landscapes that became inextricably linked with his life and his memories, attempting to reconcile his past hopes and ambitions with the modern reality of a difficult and unforgiving place.

National Geographic magazine has a long tradition of combining on-the-ground reporting with award-winning photography to inform people about life on our planet. It has won 12 National Magazine Awards in the past five years: for Best Tablet Edition in 2012; Magazine of the Year and Single-Topic Issue in 2011; for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Essays, plus two Digital Media Awards for Best Photography and Best Community, in 2010; for Photojournalism in 2009; and for General Excellence, Photojournalism and Reporting in 2008.

The magazine is the official journal of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit education and scientific organizations. Published in English and 36 local-language editions, the magazine has a global circulation of around 8 million. It is sent out each month to National Geographic members and is available on newsstands for $5.99 a copy. Single copies can be ordered by calling (800) NGS-LINE, also the number to call for membership to the Society.

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National Geographic’s ‘Digital Nomad’ Andrew Evans Embarks on Around-the-World Expedition by Private Jet

WASHINGTON (Oct. 17, 2012)—Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “Digital Nomad,” has set off on an Around the World by Private Jet trip with National Geographic Expeditions. As he explores with National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Wade Davis, art historian Jack Daulton and National Geographic photographer Massimo Bassano, Evans will tweet, blog, vlog and “Instagram” on NationalGeographic.com’s Digital Nomad blog (http://digitalnomad.nationalgeographic.com/), his Twitter feed @WheresAndrew and his Where’s Andrew Facebook page.

“I’ve gone on some pretty cool trips, but this one truly will be an expedition of a lifetime for me and my digital community,” said Evans. “Who else but National Geographic could offer such an exceptional trip to some of the world’s most legendary places, accompanied by top National Geographic experts?”

After a welcome reception at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C., in early October, the group of travelers boarded the private jet for Peru, where they visited Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. They then flew to Easter Island, Samoa and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Evans joins the group in Cambodia, where they explore Angkor Wat’s vast temple complex. From there, they encounter giant pandas on a visit to the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Center in China and continue to Lhasa, Tibet, to see the fabled Potala Palace. In Agra, India, they explore the exquisite Taj Mahal, one of the greatest monuments built for love.

The next stop brings the group to Tanzania, where paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Louise Leakey will meet with them to discuss the Leakey family’s historic fossil finds. Then it’s off to Egypt to explore Luxor, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. The final stop is Marrakech, Morocco, where they visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace and the colorful suqs. In just 24 days, the travelers will have discovered 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites and seen some of the most legendary places in the world.

“Our Around the World by Private Jet expedition is one of the most unique and exhilarating trips out there,” said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic’s executive vice president for Travel. “Our travelers explore so many celebrated sites in just 24 days, in the company of some of our top researchers, photographers and adventurers. To have Andrew Evans on board capturing and sharing incredible moments as they happen is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to join in the adventure.”

Evans is a veteran travel writer for National Geographic Traveler magazine and National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel blog. His most recent assignments have taken him to Switzerland and Norway. These trips came on the heels of a journey through South Africa and Malawi, where he was one of the first people to report the death of Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika. In February he visited Maya sites in Mexico. Last year he explored the best of Ontario, Canada; tweeted and blogged around Japan; and wined and dined his way through Louisiana, experiencing the best of the bayou and New Orleans. He finished the year skiing, snow-shoeing and trekking through western Canada’s ski country with renowned mountaineers, ski instructors and naturalists.

In 2010 Evans journeyed from Washington, D.C., to Antarctica — a 10,000-mile trip through 14 countries — using public transportation as far as he could go. He rode buses to Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city in the world, and then boarded the National Geographic Explorer to Antarctica.

About National Geographic Traveler Magazine

National Geographic Traveler: Nobody Knows This World Better. National Geographic Traveler is the world’s most widely read travel magazine. Published eight times a year, Traveler is available by subscription, on newsstands in the United States and Canada and digitally for tablets like the iPad (on Zinio) and Nook (at BN.com). Its website (www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler) offers inspiring and authoritative digital content including trip ideas, photo galleries and blogs. It also houses travel apps, including 50 Places of a Lifetime that showcases the world’s greatest destinations handpicked by National Geographic’s family of globe-trotting contributors, and the award-winning National Parks app, filled with stunning pictures, maps and tips to explore America’s national parks.

About National Geographic Expeditions

National Geographic Expeditions is the travel program of the National Geographic Society, with expeditions to more than 60 destinations across all seven continents. A National Geographic expert — photographer, biologist, anthropologist or writer — accompanies these trips to enrich the experience with insights and an insider perspective. National Geographic Expeditions features land journeys, family programs, small-ship expeditions, active adventure trips, private jet trips, photography workshops and expeditions, and student programs. All proceeds from National Geographic’s travel programs support the Society’s aim of increasing global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; live events; interactive media; merchandise; and travel programs. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.

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National Geographic Museum to Feature Birds-of-Paradise

WASHINGTON (Oct. 22, 2012)—This fall, take a journey to New Guinea and the exotic world of birds-of-paradise with “Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution,” a new exhibition at the National Geographic Museum that reveals all 39 species of these elusive birds for the first time. Highlighting the groundbreaking research of photographer Tim Laman and Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientist Edwin Scholes, the exhibition, born out of the duo’s important scientific achievement, features the extravagant plumage, crazy courtship dances and bizarre behaviors of the extraordinary birds. The exhibition will run from Thursday, Nov. 1, through early May 2013.

Since their partnership began in 2004, Laman and Scholes have been dedicated to documenting and understanding the lives of birds-of-paradise. During 18 expeditions over eight years, the two were able to capture photographs, videos and detailed observations of these important species of birds. Known for their unique looks and mating rituals, the birds-of-paradise are a prime example of sexual selection and are surely one of the most elegant examples of extreme evolution on Earth. The birds are found in one of the most untarnished environments in the world: the remote rain forests of the New Guinea region.

Equal parts natural history, photography and science exhibition, “Birds of Paradise” gives visitors an in-depth look into the lives of birds-of-paradise. Visitors will meet Laman and Scholes through introductory videos as they enter the exhibit, where they will also be greeted with natural soundscapes, traditional wood carvings and a montage of all 39 birds-of-paradise species. They will be able to dive into their groundbreaking research and learn brand new information about each of the 39 species, all finally photographed for the first time in history.

In addition, visitors can examine the bizarre courtship dances that the males perform to attract the females. Interactive games such as “Dance, Dance Evolution” let people dance along with the birds to learn their signature moves. The first-ever video of the female’s point-of-view of the dances is shown, captured through an innovative use of equipment created by Laman and Scholes. Photos, videos, bird specimens and a kinetic sculpture of a riflebird (a bird-of-paradise species) also show the transformations that birds-of-paradise undergo to attract their mates and the various moves that make up their mating rituals. Visitors can also manipulate artificial tree branches to trigger video footage of different birds displayed on their perches, with commentary from Scholes.

The exhibition highlights the importance of birds-of-paradise to New Guinea. Maps and diagrams of the birds’ ranges across the country explain how the country’s environment allowed the birds to adapt and evolve over time. Legends and folklore are shared from generations past.

Visitors to the exhibition can also explore old and new scientific knowledge about the birds-of-paradise, including previous misconceptions, vintage illustrations and information on how the giants of evolutionary studies, including Charles Darwin, were fascinated by the birds. Modern science and conservation efforts are featured, with findings from Laman and Scholes as well as other well-known figures such as evolutionary biologist and author Jared Diamond. Interactive games teach visitors how sexual selection works, and a Species Atlas app offers information on all 39 species.

The “Birds of Paradise” exhibition is part of a National Geographic Society-wide effort focusing on these birds and was developed with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A companion book to the exhibition, “BIRDS OF PARADISE: Revealing the World’s Most Extraordinary Birds,” by Laman and Scholes, goes on sale Oct. 23; a documentary on the National Geographic Channel, “Winged Seduction: Birds of Paradise,” will air on Nov. 22 and be released later on DVD; National Geographic Live lectures on the birds will be presented in venues across the country, including in National Geographic’s Grosvenor Auditorium on Nov. 1 and 3; an article on birds-of-paradise will appear in the December 2012 issue of National Geographic magazine, with bonus materials in the iPad edition; and an education portal can be found at www.natgeoed.org/birds-of-paradise.

The National Geographic Museum, 1145 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed Dec. 25. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for National Geographic members, military, students, seniors and groups of 25 or more; $4 for children ages 5-12; and free (reservation required) for school, student and youth groups (age 18 and under). Tickets may be purchased online at www.ngmuseum.org; via telephone at (202) 857-7700; or in person at the National Geographic ticket office, 1600 M Street, N.W., between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281 or email groupsales@ngs.org.

Photography exhibitions in the museum’s M Street gallery and outdoors are free.

For information on the “Birds of Paradise: Amazing Avian Evolution” exhibition or the museum’s other fall exhibition, “1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization,” the public should call (202) 857-7588 or visit www.ngmuseum.org.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society’s mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; live events; interactive media; merchandise; and travel programs. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is nonprofit, member-supported organization with the mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. Founded in 1915, the Lab is supported by 50,000 members and engages 200,000 citizen-science participants and 6 million bird enthusiasts who connect online at www.allaboutbirds.org. As a proud unit of Cornell University, the Lab has a leading team of faculty, educators, conservation scientists, and engineers continuing a strong history of excellence in science, technological innovation, and outreach. Learn more at www.birds.cornell.edu.

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National Geographic Kids Magazine Sets Out to Claim 2 Guinness World Records® Titles Tied to Running and Recycling

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT

On Saturday, Oct. 27, media are invited to watch 3,600 kids help break the Guinness World Records? title for most people running 100 meters within a 24-hour period. Through National Geographic Kids’ Run for the Planet program, in coordination with the Marine Corps Marathon’s Healthy Kids Fun Run, the Pentagon North parking lot will be packed with kids devoted to fitness, with Marines cheering them on.

Kids Run participants will contribute to the record as they complete a one-miler, and all runners will be observed by Guinness World Records representative Mike Janela. Per record rules, runners also will be confirmed by two independent witnesses: healthy lifestyle coach Kathy Pugh, owner of women’s running boot camp EZ8DC; and DeShay Williams, co-owner of personal training studio Definitions (both of Washington, D.C.). In addition, runners worldwide will help set the record with 100-meter runs between noon ET, Friday, Oct. 26, and noon ET Saturday, Oct. 27. Five thousand participants are needed for the record.

To simultaneously engage people in recycling, National Geographic Kids is also collecting old athletic shoes for the longest chain of shoes. With the help of Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program, the sneakers will be recycled into Nike Grind — a material used in athletic surfaces such as basketball courts and running tracks — after they have been tied into a chain later this year. The goal: 25,000 shoes. Shoes contributed by stars such as the NFL’s Eli Manning and race car driver Danica Patrick can be seen at National Geographic’s Washington headquarters, 1145 17th St. NW, where people can also drop off their shoes through Nov. 9.

Macerich malls across the country — including Tysons Corner Center in McLean, Va. — will be holding events. See macerich.com/ngkids for details. For more on either record attempt, go to kids.nationalgeographic.com/run-for-the-planet/.

WHERE:

Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run, Pentagon North Parking Lot

WHEN:

Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Final wave organized by National Geographic
Kids: 11:57 a.m.

WHO:

Rachel Buchholz, Executive Editor, National Geographic Kids magazine
Mike Janela, Head of U.S. Records Management, Guinness World Records North America, Inc.

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National Geographic Panamá Store Opens In Tocumén International Airport

PANAMA CITY, Panam? (Oct. 9, 2012)—Visitors to Panam? can experience a new and exciting way to explore the world when they visit National Geographic’s first retail store in Panam?, which has opened in the newly constructed north wing of the Tocum?n International Airport near Panama City. Drawing on National Geographic’s 124-year heritage of inspiring people to care about the planet, National Geographic’s new store brings together its products and services in a constantly evolving, culturally inspired setting.

More than a traditional retail environment, the National Geographic Panam? Store welcomes travelers with compelling interactive visual displays and state-of-the-art design dedicated to stimulating, educating and inspiring visitors to celebrate global cultures. Travelers can also find National Geographic stores in Madrid, London, Andorra, Palma de Mallorca, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

“National Geographic Stores have already garnered a lot of interest from travelers across the globe who get to experience the brand in a whole new dimension. We are thrilled to open this store in Panam? and look forward to it becoming our hub in Latin America,” said Marisa Selfa, CEO of Worldwide Retail Store S.L.

The new store features a wide selection of National Geographic products, including its award-winning magazines, books and DVDs as well as newly created products. The store also offers items designed for the rigors of adventure and exploration, from casual travel gear to multi-layered apparel suitable for diverse climates and activities. Key product lines include apparel, luggage, stationery, maps, globes and a wide selection of children’s products.

National Geographic’s net proceeds support the Society’s exploration, conservation, research and education programs.

National Geographic Panam? Store

Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocum?n, Panam?

Mulle Norte, Local C2-111

www.ngpanamastore.com

Store Opening Hours

6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

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All Roads Film Project Announces 2012 Film Festival Award Winners

WASHINGTON (Sept. 28, 2012)—National Geographic’s All Roads Film Project announced the award winners of this year’s All Roads Film Festival last night at a reception at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The award for Best Documentary went to “Los Descendientes del Jaguar” (“Children of the Jaguar”), which chronicles the courtroom triumph of the Sarayaku people of the Amazon over oil exploration that took place on their land without their consent. The Best of Narratives award was won by “Burros” (“Donkeys”), the tale of a 10-year-old Mexican boy’s adventures as he runs away from his aunt’s house and finds his way home. The Best of Stories award went to “Busong” (“Palawan Fate”), a Philippines film that deals with animism.

The winners were selected by a jury, and this year’s award, handmade by Santa Fe artist Beau Duran, depicts a traditional Tesuque Pueblo corn maiden spirit.

All Roads Film Festival Director Francene Blythe presented the awards in front of a crowd that included the All Roads Film Project board members and representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and the Mexican Cultural Institute as well as the talented filmmakers whose work comprised the festival.

“Every year, the All Roads Film Festival has the opportunity to host fresh new filmmakers from around the world. This year we are pleased to present another outstanding collection of films, including documentaries, short films and full-length features,” said Blythe. “These awards, chosen by a distinguished jury, recognize those films that have made the most impact this year, but as in years past, the films that will be screened this weekend represent some of the most impressive indigenous filmmakers in the world.”

This year marks the eighth All Roads Film Festival, a groundbreaking program that offers contemporary stories by or about indigenous and under-represented minority cultures.

The 2012 Festival continues through Sunday, Sept. 30, at the National Geographic Society, with the theme “Vibrant Cultures from Around the World.” A full festival schedule and ticketing information are available at http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/event-series/all-roads-film-festival-washington-dc/.

For the official All Roads Film Festival trailer, go to http://www.youtube.com/embed/DA0QcpBuGdY.

The All Roads Film Festival is part of the All Roads Film Project, a National Geographic program created to provide an international platform for indigenous and under-represented minority-culture artists to share cultures, stories and perspectives through the power of film and photography. In addition to providing a venue for their films, All Roads offers its filmmakers and photographers a series of networking opportunities and awards a minimum of 10 film grants a year to support the development and production of film and video projects by or about indigenous and under-represented minority-culture communities. Film grant recipients are considered for inclusion in the All Roads Film Festival and other National Geographic-affiliated broadcast outlets.

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This Halloween, Nat Geo Wild Challenges Kids to Cause an Uproar By Collecting Coins For Cats!

Second Annual Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats Campaign
Also Features New Opportunity for Schools —Fun, Interactive Trick-or-Treat Campaign

WASHINGTON (Oct. 2, 2012)—This Halloween, Nat Geo WILD is challenging trick-or-treaters of all ages to help save big cats from extinction by collecting money (along with their candy) for National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative. By trick-or-treating for big cats — lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards and others — children across America will be joining a community of explorers, conservationists and big cat lovers around the world who want to save these magnificent creatures from extinction… so we don’t wind up talking about lions and tigers the way we talk about dinosaurs.

On Halloween, kids around the country can help National Geographic make a difference by becoming Big Cat Ambassadors in their own neighborhood. Visit www.causeanuproar.org to learn more about the Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats campaign and download fun and free resources — including trick-or-treat collection wrappers, Big Cat O’Lantern carving sketches, costume ideas, big cat masks, face paintings and more.

New this year, National Geographic has also launched the Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats School Challenge to rally kids in the classroom on a school-wide level. The program encourages group participation and provides teachers and students with a fun, yet meaningful, service-learning project. Schools that raise funds at designated tier levels will receive educational thank-you gifts such as wall-size world maps, illuminated desktop globes or a visit from a National Geographic Big Cats expert.

Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats is one of the ways National Geographic and its partners are committed to doing whatever it takes to help these cats claw their way back to healthy, stable populations. The big cat crisis is real and it’s happening now. Africa’s lion population has declined by more than 90 percent in the last 50 years. There are now more tigers living in captivity than in the wild. Cheetahs have disappeared from more than 75 percent of their range in Africa.

These top predators are quickly disappearing — victims of conflict with humans and of habitat loss or degradation. Because big cats are keystone species in their ecosystems, the loss of these majestic animals also means that the natural balance of entire environments is destroyed. National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative is a long-term effort to halt the decline of these iconic animals in the wild. Money collected from Trick-or-Treat for Big Cats will support timely and effective conservation programs.

The initiative also includes the third annual Big Cat Week on Nat Geo WILD, premiering this December, as well as the Big Cats Sister School Program which pairs US and African schools in a cross-cultural exchange between students. These programs all support the work being done in the field by 28 BCI Grantees, resulting in 28 projects in 14 countries.

So whether your favorite feline is the lion, tiger, puma, jaguar, leopard or cheetah, head over to www.causeanuproar.org to find out how you can collect coins for cats and make a difference this Halloween.

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National Geographic to Present Free Event at Cornell University on Oct. 13

ITHACA, N.Y. (Sept. 28, 2012)—National Geographic and Cornell University will present a free public presentation about New Guinea’s spectacular birds-of-paradise as well as National Geographic  field research and exploration. It will feature National Geographic Vice President of Research, Conservation and Exploration John Francis; National Geographic photographer Tim Laman; and Cornell ornithologist Edwin Scholes. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in the Statler Hall Auditorium on the Cornell University campus.

Francis will discuss his role at National Geographic and the organization’s support of exploration around the globe. Laman and Scholes will share extraordinary imagery, sounds and stories from their eight-year quest to document all 39 species of birds-of-paradise in New Guinea for the first time.

Laman (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-tim-laman/?source=A-to-Z) is a wildlife photographer, field biologist and noted conservationist whose photos were first published in National Geographic magazine more than 15 years ago. Scholes, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s biodiversity video curator, is a leading authority on the behavior and evolution of the birds-of-paradise in New Guinea, having studied them for more than a decade.

The two partnered in 2003, and by 2006 they had captured on film 22 species of these elusive birds. Laman and Scholes received funding from the National Geographic Expeditions Council and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to finish what they had started — creating a “family portrait” of all 39 species. In 2011, after 18 expeditions, the two succeeded, capturing both still images and video footage of all 39 birds-of-paradise.

Birds-of-paradise have captivated scientists and photographers alike for decades, mainly because of their colorful feathers, extravagant ornamentation and bizarre courtship behaviors. Laman and Scholes also studied the birds’ mating rituals and dances and how the process of sexual selection has shaped their evolution.

Laman and Scholes authored “Birds of Paradise: Revealing the World’s Most Extraordinary Birds,” to be released by National Geographic Books on Oct. 23. The book is part of a National Geographic Society-wide effort and a collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which includes an exhibition at the National Geographic Museum opening Thursday, Nov. 1; a documentary on the National Geographic Channel, “Winged Seduction: Birds of Paradise” airing on Nov. 22 and releasing later on DVD; National Geographic Live lectures across the country; and an article in the December issue of National Geographic magazine, which includes bonus materials in the iPad edition.

The public presentation will follow a daylong workshop on National Geographic’s Young Explorers Grants program for aspiring scientists between the ages of 18 and 25 wishing to pursue research-, exploration- and conservation-based field projects.

The Oct. 13 workshop is hosted at Cornell University with support from the National Geographic Society, Lucy and Henry Billingsley, Panasonic, the Brinson Foundation, The North Face and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

CONTACT:        Kelsey Flora, National Geographic, kflora@ngs.org, (202) 828-8023

Pat Leonard, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, pel27@cornell.edu, (607) 254-2137

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Information on National Geographic’s Young Explorers Grants program:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/field/grants-programs/young-explorers/

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National Geographic Explorers and Nobel Laureates Are Featured in Second Season of ‘The Big Idea’ Speaker Series

WASHINGTON (Oct. 10, 2012)—National Geographic Live and the Nobel Prize Series have announced the second year of their partnership on the speaker series “The Big Idea,” featuring Nobel Laureates in conversation with National Geographic explorers. As with last year’s groundbreaking inaugural series, the theme will be exploration. The venue for the three ticketed evening events, part of the National Geographic Live series for 2012, is Grosvenor Auditorium at National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“Blue Holes & Dark Energy: Mapping the Unknown,” opens the series on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. Adam Reiss, 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics, and National Geographic’s 2011 Explorer of the Year Kenny Broad will discuss the adventure of exploring unknown realms and how their explorations provide clarity both on human origins and the future of the cosmos. Senior Executive Producer of National Geographic Specials John Bredar will moderate.

The second event in the series, “Locust Swarms and Ozone Holes,” on Friday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m., pairs 1996 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Mario Molina with behavioral ecologist Iain Couzin, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. Both together and separately, their scientific research is making an impact on public policy. Boyd Matson, leading broadcast journalist for National Geographic and host of National Geographic Weekend radio show, will moderate.

“What Makes a Society Successful: A Look at Human and Chimpanzee Communities,” rounds out the series on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. Roger Myerson, 2007 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, and Jill Pruetz, biological anthropologist and National Geographic Emerging Explorer, will share insights into information sharing, conflict resolution and social cohesion within human and chimpanzee societies, with an eye toward how each species uses cognition to improve its society. Matson will moderate.

“The pairing of Nobel Laureates and National Geographic explorers is a natural one, driven by both organizations’ appreciation and support for science and exploration. We are excited about the second year of this series and hope that together we can spur enlightening conversations about human achievement and achieve National Geographic’s mission of inspiring people to care about the planet,” said National Geographic Vice President for Public Programs Greg McGruder.

“We are delighted to continue this partnership with the National Geographic Society and ‘The Big Idea’ speaker series. With the unique and inspiring combination of Nobel Laureates and National Geographic explorers, the events broaden knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prize- awarded achievements and their impact on society,” said Camilla Hylt?n-Cavallius, CEO for Nobel Media.

Tickets to each event are $20 for National Geographic members and $22 for the general public. Package tickets for the three-part series are $57 for National Geographic members and $63 for the general public. Each event will be followed by a reception at National Geographic headquarters. Tickets are on sale at www.nglive.org.

About the Nobel Prize Series and Nobel Media

The Nobel Prize Series encompasses broad lecture programs and is managed by Nobel Media AB, the company responsible for managing and developing media rights in connection with the Nobel Prize. Nobel Media aims to spread knowledge and interest in the Nobel Prize-awarded achievements to a global audience, through digital and broadcast media, publishing and events.

Nobel Media?, Nobel Prize? and Nobel Prize Series? are registered trademarks of the Nobel Foundation.

About National Geographic Live

National Geographic Live is a branded series of events including live concerts, films and dynamic presentations by today’s leading explorers, scientists, filmmakers and photographers, covering a wide range of topics such as exploration and adventure; wildlife and habitat; natural phenomena; and relevant issues such as climate change and energy conservation. Proceeds from speaker series ticket sales help fund future National Geographic initiatives in field research, exploration and education. For more information, visit www.nglive.org.

Contacts:

Merci Olsson

Nobel Prize Series

+46 738523595

merci.olsson@nobelmedia.se

Carrie Engel

National Geographic Society

(202) 457-8449

cengel@ngs.org

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