Rocky Mountain National Park BioBlitz Reaches New Heights

ESTES PARK, Colo. (Aug. 28, 2012)—After two days of exploration and documentation, the Rocky Mountain National Park BioBlitz held on Aug. 24 and 25, 2012, captured a vivid snapshot of the plants and animal diversity in the Rocky Mountains. Led by nearly 200 scientists from around the country, thousands of amateur explorers, families and schoolchildren conducted an inventory of the plants, insects, mammals, birds and other creatures that inhabit the majestic park and found several species not previously documented in the park. A companion festival at the Estes Park Fairgrounds celebrated biodiversity. The Rocky Mountain National Park BioBlitz and Biodiversity Festival coincided with the National Park Service’s 96th birthday on Aug. 25.

Highlights:

More than 5,000 people, including more than 2,000 schoolchildren, participated in the BioBlitz and the concurrent Biodiversity Festival.The initial scientific species count as of the 4 p.m. closing ceremony Saturday was 489, but a passing bald eagle during the ceremony raised the count to 490. Organizers expect the number to increase significantly over the next few months as state-of-the-art testing of the collected samples continues.The two-day, 24-hour (noon-to-noon) inventory added species to the already well-documented park’s species list. They tentatively included a lizard, nine insects and 13 nonvascular plants. Researchers are verifying these possible new records for the park. The big brown bat species was officially confirmed at BioBlitz 2012.In addition to scientific discovery, the 2012 BioBlitz focused on personal discovery and understanding the park in new ways. For a group of fourth graders from a Denver school, it was the ultimate field trip and the first time in a national park for most of the students.National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis participated in the BioBlitz, working side-by-side with students exploring meadow and alpine tundra ecosystems. The BioBlitz coincided with the release of “Revisiting Leopold:  Resource Stewardship in the National Parks.” This is a report that revisits the 1963 Leopold Report, which has been guiding Park Service management of natural resources for 50 years.The Biodiversity Festival included a wide variety of music, nature-inspired activities, photography workshops, talks, art, live animal demonstrations and hands-on science activities. The festival emphasized biodiversity and encouraged the public to do its part to protect the environment. Many visitors interacted with representatives of science, nature and environmental organizations at more than 45 booths.An integrated art program at the festival included flags featuring local species, made by local and visiting artists and schoolchildren. Festival participants were invited to do art on site, including “create a creature” and participating in a watercolor class led by a 9-year-old artist-in-residence.

The BioBlitz was part scientific endeavor, part festival and part outdoor classroom. Participants combed the park, observing and recording as many plant and animal species as possible in 24 hours. Activities included counting elk, catching insects, spotting birds, exploring and examining aquatic invertebrates and using technology to better understand the diverse ecosystems of this unique park.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for the public to meet and work with scientists and to understand and appreciate what makes Rocky Mountain National Park such a special and biologically rich place,” said Vaughn Baker, Rocky Mountain National Park superintendent. “For many people, especially schoolchildren, this was their first visit to the park, and it was exciting to have them experience it with amazing scientists and naturalists as their guides.”

“Watching scientists, students and the general public in the field exploring and making discoveries put a smile on my face,” said John Francis, National Geographic’s vice president for Research, Conservation and Exploration. “Scientists joined students and residents from the surrounding communities and celebrated their unique roles as members of the natural systems where they live. It was also exciting to see new technology and smartphone apps being used in the field to document and identify species finds.”

Rocky Mountain National Park was the sixth in a series of 10 annual BioBlitzes to be hosted by National Geographic and the National Park Service, leading up to the Park Service’s centennial in 2016. During closing ceremonies the BioBlitz flag was passed to Carol Clark, superintendent of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, where the seventh BioBlitz will take place May 17-18, 2013.

The first BioBlitz was held at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C., in 2007; the second took place at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California in 2008. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was the site of the third BioBlitz in 2009; Biscayne National Park, just outside Miami, was the 2010 site; and Saguaro National Park in Tucson hosted the 2011 BioBlitz.

The Rocky Mountain National Park BioBlitz was made possible through the generous support of foundations and corporations. Through National Geographic’s partnership efforts, the 2012 presenting sponsors were Verizon Wireless and GEICO. Additional corporate and foundation support came from Southwest Airlines and the Harold M. and Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation.

National Geographic has had a close relationship with the National Park Service since the Service’s inception; the Society helped draft legislation to establish the Service in 1916. National Geographic has given grants to establish or sustain national parks and has extensively covered the parks in its media for nearly a century.

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Life in Color: Photographs

WASHINGTON (Aug. 27, 2012)—A vibrant new photography book from National Geographic celebrates the power and beauty of colors.

LIFE IN COLOR: Photographs (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0962-8; on-sale date Oct. 16, 2012; $35 hardcover), curated by world-renowned photographer Annie Griffiths, is a gorgeous gallery of 245 photographs that showcase the kaleidoscope of colors in the world.

“Colors ignite your senses, so prepare for sensory overload. The photographs in this book explode off the page; the saturated images will make you feel like you’re there,” writes Jonathan Adler, “happy-chic” designer, potter and author, in the book’s foreword. “Keep it on your coffee table and feel alive. Surrender to these photographs and go on a whirlwind tour of the world.”

Through chapters divided by hue, LIFE IN COLOR navigates the globe to reveal fascinating and astonishing images — a cave explorer suspended in a shaft of golden light; the purple reflection of a medieval Slovenian castle in morning mist; enchanting Japanese maples coated in thick green moss. Color is also used in surprising and unexpected ways — the iridescent blue irises of a young cougar cub in Canada; a man’s torso coated in thick silver paint for Carnival; and a stallion in a cherry-red harness standing before the Great Pyramids of Giza.

The chapters open with short essays on the meaning, feeling and symbolism of each color, such as the “friendliness” of orange and the “loudness” of red. Inspirational quotes about colors fill the pages, offering readers the timeless insights of great minds. The quotes are paired perfectly with complementary images.

The back of the book shows thumbnails of every photograph, which are available for purchase as frameable prints. Readers can use their favorite photograph as colorful inspiration to decorate their home or office.

“Here is your chance to revel in color, to pause and cherish each nuance, each variation in the spectrum that brightens our world,” writes National Geographic Books author and editor Susan Tyler Hitchcock in the book’s introduction.

LIFE IN COLOR will inspire one’s inner designer and revitalize one’s sense of perception and sight. It encourages readers to open their eyes to take in the glory and unmistakable power of color in the world around us.

About Jonathan Adler

Noted interior designer, potter and entrepreneur JONATHAN ADLER is the owner of 20 home furnishing boutiques across the United States and in London that bear his name. He is the author of four books on design.

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National Geographic Greatest Photographs of the American West

WASHINGTON (Aug. 27, 2012)—On Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 museums across the country will open simultaneous displays of images by National Geographic photographers that capture the spirit and majesty of the American West. In celebration of the event, National Geographic Books is releasing NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AMERICAN WEST: Capturing 125 Years of Majesty, Spirit and Adventure (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0956-1; on sale Oct. 2, 2012; trade paperback; $30), the official companion volume to the exhibition. The book is produced by Rich Clarkson, former director of photography at National Geographic magazine, with a foreword by James McNutt, president and CEO of the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States.

“The role of photography in creating and perpetuating beliefs and understandings about the West has been continuous and evolving,” writes McNutt. “Beginning with adventurous pioneers in the field and never ceasing to the present day, photography accumulated an enormous record of change beyond the 100th meridian.”

Featuring 175 iconic, rare and never-seen-before photographs, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AMERICAN WEST chronicles the epic history and grandeur of the region. The earliest photographs of the American West were published in National Geographic magazine in 1889, setting the stage for the breathtaking images captured by such photographic masters as William Albert Allard, David Alan Harvey and Joel Sartore. In addition to these world-renowned photographers, images by early photographers such as Edward S. Curtis and William Henry Jackson also appear.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AMERICAN WEST is a visual journey through the history of America. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the American West and its importance to our national identity. The first chapter, “Legends,” portrays some of the cowboys, Native Americans and landscapes that define the vast area. Chapter two, “Encounters,” showcases the interactions among the people of the West, visitors and wildlife. Chapter three, “Boundaries,” features places where endless skies, boundless plains and dramatic mountains meet natural and manmade limits. The final chapter, “Visions,” explores the growth of the American West and where its story may go in the future.

“This volume and the exhibit that it accompanies give a small hint of the scope and significance of the National Geographic holdings,” says McNutt. “From that it is only possible to guess at the impact of millions of such images disseminated through National Geographic magazine and other media. What happens to the West in the future may not result directly from National Geographic photographs — but then again, it may.”

The exhibition will open Oct. 27 at the following museums:

Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Ga.

Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyo.

Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis

Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Okla.

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City

National Geographic Museum, Washington, D.C.

National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States, Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Rockwell Museum of Western Art, Corning, N.Y.

C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls, Mont.

Stark Museum of Art, Orange, Texas

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EYEWITNESS TO WORLD WAR II: Unforgettable Stories and Photographs from History’s Greatest Conflict

WASHINGTON (Aug. 28, 2012)—EYEWITNESS TO WORLD WAR II: Unforgettable Stories and Photographs from History’s Greatest Conflict (National Geographic Books; 978-1-4262-0970-3; on sale Oct. 30, 2012; $40 hardcover) brings to life the epic strife of World War ll. As the Greatest Generation passes on, we lose the opportunity to hear firsthand the tales of sacrifice, heroic moments and devastating battles. However, through EYEWITNESS TO WORLD WAR II, edited by Neil Kagan and narrated by Stephen Hyslop, National Geographic ensures that the stories of this time are never lost.

EYEWITNESS TO WORLD WAR II takes a comprehensive look at the entire history of World War II — from the key events leading to the clash to the final moments of the war. This book includes words and thoughts of those who lived during this historic time — both on the front lines and the home front. There are personal writings from Roosevelt and Patton, excerpts from soldiers’ letters and journal entries from the battlefield, words from women serving in the military, reports by war correspondents and even the musings of Hitler. Photographs and maps bring into sharp focus moments of triumph, defeat and heartache, while they detail military movements, decisive battles, daily life as well as the horrors of war. Together, the individual accounts, riveting visual testimony by frontline war photographers — in many never-before-seen images — and maps tell the story of World War ll in startling intimacy.

The book begins with the causes of World War II, when Hitler invaded Poland, and provides snapshots of the state of China, Spain, Italy and other countries, which allows readers to contextualize the geopolitical realities of the world just prior to the war. The next six chapters follow the war action around the world, from Pearl Harbor to the Bataan Peninsula, from North Africa to Normandy. These chapters are filled with information about weaponry, equipment and tactics. Throughout EYEWITNESS TO WORLD WAR II, the text highlights the stories of such individuals as Takeo Yoshikawa, a Japanese spy and naval officer sent undercover as a young consular official, who provided intelligence on the U.S. Navy and its fleet and helped plot the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

“This book focuses on the trials, prayers, and sacrifices of Americans in World War ll, while providing a global overview of that great conflict, from the rise of Nazi Germany to the fall of Imperial Japan,” writes historian and author Hugh Ambrose in the book’s introduction. “It reminds us of the vital role Americans played on the world stage when they joined with their allies on distant shores to uphold freedom and democracy.”

EYEWITNESS TO WORLD WAR II brings readers closer than ever before to the greatest challenge a generation of Americans had ever faced. Incredible, first-person stories, moments of heroism, arresting rare imagery and rich maps bring the entire history of World War II into sharp focus. This deeply moving book will delight history lovers and World War II buffs.

About the Narrator and Editor

Narrator Stephen Hyslop’s many books include “Great Empires,” “Eyewitness to the Civil War,” “Bound for Santa Fe: The Road to New Mexico and the American Conquest” and “Chroniclers of Indian Life.”

Editor Neil Kagan heads Kagan & Associates, a firm specializing in innovative illustrated books. During his career at Time-Life Books, he spearheaded multiple historic series and has produced “Eyewitness to the Civil War” and “Atlas of the Civil War” for National Geographic.

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.

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Media Opportunities — BioBlitz in Rocky Mountain National Park

Visitor watching bull elk. NPS photo by John Marino

When:  Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at 11:30 a.m.

Where:  Meet at Estes Park Fairgrounds, then travel to Rocky Mountain National Park

What:  On Friday, Aug. 24, at 11:30 a.m. media are invited to attend the opening ceremony of the BioBlitz at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park at 1209 Manford Avenue. Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis,  Chairman and CEO of the National Geographic Society John Fahey, Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park Vaughn Baker and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Juan Martinez will make brief remarks to celebrate biodiversity and the importance of connecting young people to science and nature.

At noon media will board a bus with the National Park Service director and others to participate in a BioBlitz site in Rocky Mountain National Park with schoolchildren and scientists. Media will need to go by bus, as parking is limited at the site. If there is interest and if time allows, there will be an option to travel to the alpine tundra with the director to highlight other aspects of the BioBlitz and additional National Park Service activities.

Please R.S.V.P. by noon, Thursday, Aug. 23, to Kyle Patterson, Rocky Mountain National Park Public Information Officer, at (970) 586-1363 or Kyle_Patterson@nps.gov if you plan to attend, as seating is limited.

Background:

Rocky Mountain National Park boasts one of the most expansive areas of alpine tundra in the United States as well as beautiful forests and mountain meadows. To better understand, appreciate and protect this national treasure, the National Park Service and National Geographic Society are teaming up to host a 24-hour BioBlitz species count and a two-day Biodiversity Festival, Aug. 24-25, 2012.

Part scientific endeavor, part festival and part outdoor classroom, the Rocky Mountain National Park BioBlitz will bring together 200 leading scientists and naturalists from around the country, thousands of local citizens of all ages and hundreds of students. Students are coming from as far away as Arizona and Costa Rica. Together they will explore the park, observing and recording as many plant and animal species as possible in 24 hours. Inventory activities include counting elk, catching insects, spotting birds, exploring and examining aquatic invertebrates and using technology to better understand the diverse ecosystems of this unique national park.

In this extraordinary experience open to the public, participants are invited to work with experts to count, map and learn about the park’s diverse organisms, ranging from microscopic bacteria to towering pines.

In addition to the BioBlitz inside Rocky Mountain National Park a Biodiversity Festival will be taking place at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park. This free, family-oriented festival will be celebrating biodiversity with over 40 exhibits featuring music, live animals, science demonstrations, hands-on activities provided by prominent science and environmental organizations, food and art. The goal: to connect children and families to science and nature.

Adding more cause to celebrate, the Rocky Mountain National Park BioBlitz coincides with the National Park Service’s 96th birthday on Aug. 25. This is the sixth in a series of 10 BioBlitzes throughout the country leading up to the centennial of the National Park Service in 2016. Rocky Mountain National Park will turn 100 a year earlier, in 2015.

Through National Geographic’s partnership efforts, the 2012 presenting sponsors are Verizon and GEICO. Additional support comes from Southwest Airlines and the Harold M. and Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation.

Further information will be provided at the event.

If interested, additional opportunities can be made available for the media on Saturday, Aug. 25.

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Desert Air: Photographs by George Steinmetz

WASHINGTON (Aug. 16, 2012)—An exhibition featuring images of the world’s deserts by award-winning National Geographic photographer George Steinmetz will be on display at the National Geographic Museum from Aug. 30, 2012, to Jan. 27, 2013.

The free exhibition, “Desert Air: Photographs by George Steinmetz,” which will include breathtaking photographs of sand dunes, human habitation, wildlife and vast expanses of the world’s last great wildernesses, will be in the museum’s M Street gallery. An audio component will feature Steinmetz telling the stories behind selected images.

Inspired by a 1997 assignment for National Geographic magazine on the Central Sahara, Steinmetz has spent the last 15 years surveying and photographing remote and inhospitable desert environments around the globe. To be able to capture his stunning images, he learned to fly a motorized paraglider, the world’s lightest and slowest-moving aircraft. One of his experimental, foot-launched aircraft, which consists of a backpack motor and parachute-style wing, will be on display. The craft allows Steinmetz to fly low enough to the ground to document rarely seen places.

One of National Geographic’s top expedition photographers, Steinmetz has been photographing the remote corners of the world for 25 years. He has received many awards for his work, including two first prizes from World Press Photo, and Pictures of the Year, Overseas Press Club and Life Magazine’s Alfred Eisenstadt awards. In addition to articles in National Geographic magazine, including one on sand dunes in the upcoming November 2012 issue, his work has been featured in the New Yorker and Smithsonian magazines.

The National Geographic Live speaker series will host George Steinmetz on Nov. 27 as part of the Masters of Photography series. More information can be found at www.nglive.org.

Images from “Desert Air: Photographs by George Steinmetz” will also be featured in a new book from Abrams Books on sale Dec. 1, 2012.

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. Photography exhibitions in the M Street gallery are free; exhibitions in the 17th Street galleries require an admission fee. 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 (reservations 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 National Geographic between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. For more information on group sales, call (202) 857-7281 or email groupsales@ngs.org.

On display in the 17th Street galleries are “Titanic: 100 Year Obsession,” through Sept. 9, 2012, and “1001 Inventions: Discover the Golden Age of Muslim Civilization,” through Feb. 3, 2013. For more information, call (202) 857-7588 or visit www.ngmuseum.org.

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National Geographic and Uncle Milton Industries Launch Nat Geo WILD Product Line

LOS ANGELES (Aug. 17, 2012)—National Geographic and Uncle Milton Industries have teamed up to create an exciting new line of kids toys, puzzles and games based on the popular Nat Geo WILD network and the amazing wild animals featured in its programs. Products have debuted exclusively at more than 200 Barnes & Noble stores and BN.com over the summer, and a rollout to major toy retailers across North America will follow this fall.

“We are excited to be working with Nat Geo WILD,” said Frank Adler, president of Uncle Milton Industries. “The success of the Nat Geo WILD television network and its dedication to discovering and interacting with animals in the wild has inspired us to create a highly imaginative toy line that brings to life these fascinating creatures.”

“For more than 30 years, National Geographic has been the leader in wildlife programming,” said Krista Newberry, senior vice president, licensing, for National Geographic. “Now kids and parents can get closer to the animal world through these amazing Nat Geo WILD toys.”

The Nat Geo WILD line roars into retail this summer with products inspired by and patterned after majestic and iconic animals of the jungles, rain forests, oceans and Arctic. They include the Anteater Bug Vac?, the Curl and Coil Snake Light?, the Big Dig Bear Claw? and a range of colorful puzzles and games featuring photographs of these amazing animals in their natural environments. The innovative design of the Anteater Bug Vac?, a bug catcher vacuum sculpted to look like a real anteater, was recently selected by toy industry experts at the 2012 American International Toy Fair as a Top 10 item that will inspire play in children this year.

Additional innovative and colorful toys, puzzles and games are already planned for 2013.

National Geographic’s net proceeds from the sale of these products will support vital exploration, conservation, research and education programs.

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 debuted, and 10 years later, Spanish-language network Nat Geo Mundo was unveiled. The Channels are carried by all of the nation’s major cable, telco and satellite television providers, with Nat Geo WILD currently available in 55 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.

 About Uncle Milton Industries

Founded in 1946, Uncle Milton creates, produces and markets proprietary and licensed toys that have outstanding play value and maximum kid-appeal. Since its introduction in 1956, the Ant Farm? brand ant habitat has grown to become a universally recognized icon of American pop culture. Building on the quality and innovation of its flagship brand, Uncle Milton today leads the science category with popular brands including Star Wars? Science, National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Jim Henson’s DINOSAUR TRAIN? and In My Room. Uncle Milton, a Transom Capital Group company, distributes its lines of toys at specialty toy, hobby, gift, mass merchant and department stores nationwide, as well as through popular online retailers. For more information, visit unclemilton.com.

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National Geographic Kids Launches Spanish-Language Kids and Family TV Block on MundoFox

WASHINGTON (Aug. 16, 2012)—On Sunday, Aug. 19, the National Geographic Kids programming block will debut on MundoFox, the newly launched U.S. Spanish-language broadcast network that aims to bring to life the Latino experience nationwide and reach 75 percent of Hispanic households in the United States. The National Geographic Kids programming consists of quality educational programs the whole family can enjoy together. It is geared to kids ages 4 to 11 and will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sundays.

“National Geographic Kids programming is just what you’d expect from the brand parents trust, critics admire and kids love,” said Melina Bellows, chief creative officer for Books, Kids and Family at National Geographic. “We’re all about inspiring the next generation of explorers to get excited about the planet, and these programs do just that. Our shows provide real, smart and fun entertainment for the entire family.”

MundoFox offers Latino audiences exciting entertainment, best-in-class programming content and differentiation from the existing Spanish-language options. The growing prominence and sophistication of U.S. Hispanic communities has demonstrated a need for distinct quality programming in Spanish for U.S. Latino families.

“We think a National Geographic Kids block will appeal to this audience because it is high quality, visually appealing and fun for kids of all ages,” said Emiliano Saccone, president of MundoFox. “Our mission is to provide the Hispanic families a better option for family entertainment than what is currently available in the marketplace.”

The National Geographic Kids programming block will launch with the following programs:

9 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Mama Mirabelle — “Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies” is a breakthrough preschool series that introduces little kids to the animal kingdom through gentle storytelling, memorable characters and stunning wildlife footage from the outstanding archives of National Geographic and the BBC.9:30 a.m.–10 a.m. Toot & Puddle — Based on Holly Hobbie’s best-selling book series, “Toot & Puddle” is a delightful preschool series that begins to put the world into context for young viewers by following the adventures of two fun-loving, inquisitive but very different best friends. The show encourages exploration and adventure and piques kids’ natural curiosity about the world around them.10 a.m.–11 a.m. Are We There Yet? World Adventure — A global adventure series for kids by kids, hosted by real brother and sister duos. Through journal entries, crayon-drawn travel logs, on-location kid chatter and voice narration, the hosts explore a world of playground-inspired adventures as they celebrate familiar childhood themes and experiences in some truly unfamiliar locations.11 a.m.–12 p.m. Iggy Arbuckle — “Iggy Arbuckle” is a fast-paced animated, buddy-comedy series for kids 6-11, filled with off-kilter critters, eccentric wildlife and natural phenomena that are anything but natural. When Iggy sets out to explore the great outdoors, it doesn’t take long for a simple nature walk to explode into a full-scale avalanche of chaotic comedy.

The whole block will be wrapped in National Geographic Kids’ fun, reality-brand sensibility, including short-form “Weird But True” spots, moments of “Awww,” moments of “Ewwww,” funny animal shorts and more.

About National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. National Geographic Kids magazine (10 issues per year) and Little Kids magazine (six issues per year) are photo-driven publications available on newsstands or by subscription in print and on tablets. The award-winning website kids.nationalgeographic.com excites kids about the planet through games, videos, contests, photos, quizzes and blogs about cultures, animals and destinations. National Geographic Kids Books is the leading nonfiction publisher with 50 titles each year, including the New York Times bestseller “Kids Almanac.” National Geographic Kids Games engages kids to learn through play with games like the online virtual animal world of Animal Jam and the interactive TV experience of Nat Geo Kinect TV. National Geographic Kids Apps bring the best of National Geographic Kids to smart phones and tablets.

About MundoFox

MundoFox is a joint venture between Fox International Channels (FIC), News Corporation’s international multi-media business, and RCN, the leading Latin American television network and production company belonging to Organizaci?n Ardila L?lle (OAL). Together, FIC and RCN currently reach over 1.2 billion households worldwide with primetime comedies, dramas and daytime series, as well as factual, sports and lifestyle programming. Additionally, both operate and program cable networks and 24-hour global news channels. The new network, headquartered in Los Angeles, launched on Aug. 13, 2012. For more information, visit MundoFox at www.us.mundofox.com.

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National Geographic Magazine, September 2012

September 2012 NGM Highlights: View as PDF

This month, editor Peter Miller writes about weather gone wild and the certainty that even more is to come; he also takes an in-depth look at the effects of drought in West Texas.  Photographer Stephanie Sinclair and writer Joshua Hammer offer an intimate look at life in Yemen and the challenge of dealing with rebels, refugees and al Qaeda.  Other articles explore ocean life around seamounts, underwater mountains; Roman walls, far-reaching remnants of the Roman Empire that still dot landscapes today; and the quirky life of Romania’s nouveau riche.

Special Content for iPad Edition Includes:

What’s Up with the Weather? video – Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, hail storms…is Earth’s climate changing dangerously?Top 10 Weather Disasters graphic – See a chart of the most costly U.S. weather disasters starting with 1980; tap on a year to view a detailed list of disasters.Coping with Drought video – Life is hard in the dust-choked fields of Texas, where, by September 2011, the state had suffered the driest 12 months in its history. Yet some farmers haven’t given up.Explore an Underwater World video – Explore the underwater world of Cortes Bank, off the coast of California near San Diego, with underwater photojournalist Brian Skerry.Tour of a Seamount animation and location map – See a video of seamounts and their profound effect on life in the oceans; tap on the map to see where seamounts are located.Exploring Mauna Kea interactive graphic – What makes Mauna Kea the world’s tallest mountain is its total elevation, most of it underwater; tap and swipe to see how.Yemeni Youth video – See a video of young Yemenis break-dancing and beat boxing.Roma Song and Dance – Experience a Roma afternoon with a little girl and her grandfather’s music.

Feature Stories:

Weather Gone Wild, by Peter Miller (Page 30). “Rains that are almost biblical, heat waves that don’t end, tornadoes that strike in savage swarms—there’s been a change in the weather lately,” writes Peter Miller. With losses in 2011 estimated at $150 billion worldwide, why are extreme weather-related events happening more frequently than ever? Cyclical events like El Ni?o and La Ni?a contribute significantly to the extreme weather, and “average surface temperature worldwide has risen nearly one degree Fahrenheit in the past four decades,” increasing water vapor in the atmosphere and contributing to intense rainfalls. Human populations and property are also becoming increasingly concentrated in areas affected by storms. Only by better preparing for extreme weather and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can we hope to succeed in mitigating the damages caused by future storms. Miller is available for interviews.

The New Dust Bowl, by Peter Miller, photographed by Robb Kendrick (Page 56). “If you’re proud of your country, you try to take care of it,” says Bill Tullos, a resident of San Angelo in West Texas. Having lived through the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Tullos knew what to do when 2011 brought Texas the driest 12 months in its history: He slowly auctioned off his livestock to preserve parched and brittle grazing lands. Robb Kendrick’s touching, vivid photographs capture a region and people hobbled by drought but determined to scrape out a living in an unforgiving environment. Miller and Kendrick are available for interviews.

Marine Mountains, by Gregory S. Stone, photographed by Brian Skerry (Page 66). The ocean floor is covered in hundreds of thousands of seamounts, or undersea mountains, yet life has been explored on barely 300. According to ocean scientist Gregory S. Stone, “more finely detailed maps of the surface of Mars may exist than of the remotest parts of the ocean floor.” Stone takes us aboard the submersible DeepSee to explore these massive formations that teem with underwater life. With “new species … discovered on almost every expedition,” much remains to be explored and documented in and around the planet’s countless seamounts. Skerry’s exquisite underwater photography highlights curious harbor seals, kelp forests and a bevy of other curiosities. Stone and Skerry are available for interviews

Yemen’s Day of Reckoning, by Joshua Hammer, photographed by Stephanie Sinclair (Page 80). The Arab Spring that swept through the Middle East has left Yemen “in a deeply precarious condition,” writes Joshua Hammer about his explorations there. In the power vacuum that followed President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s resignation, tribal leaders, former generals and Al Qaeda operatives have all struggled to assert their control over the country’s course, while pro-democracy movements — marginalized and threatened by violence — are “now struggling to remain relevant.” Saleh may no longer be president, but for now “Yemen still belongs to the men with guns.” Stephanie Sinclair, winner of the 2012 World Press Photo contest, captures the gamut of life in Yemen, from the beauty of a wedding reception to the tragedy of a boy blinded by a sniper’s bullet. Hammer and Sinclair are available for interviews.

The Empire Strikes Out, by Andrew Curry, photographed by Robert Clark (Page 106). Hadrian’s Wall, the 73-mile-long fortification that cuts Britain in half, is the most well-known and extensively documented section of the perimeter of the Roman Empire. Yet similar structures were constructed as far away as North Africa, Syria and the Arab peninsula, and archaeologists and historians are working to better understand why these walls and ditches were built. Hadrian’s Wall “may be a red herring,” as most Roman walls would have been useless against an invading army but highly effective for local policing or perhaps collecting customs fees. Though other, more heavily reinforced cities existed, archaeological evidence suggests that their buildup occurred rapidly as a last-ditch effort to protect the empire from the many outside groups that would eventually overwhelm it. Aerial photographs of vast Roman constructions accompany detailed shots of exquisite artifacts from the period. Curry and Clark are available for interviews.

Mansions of the Roma Kings, by Tom O’Neill, photographed by Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky (Page 128). Sherbet-colored mansions with gleaming marble halls. Neckties spun from solid gold thread and emblazoned with the brand of a luxury SUV. These are the trappings of the Roma nouveau riche, the people pejoratively known as Gypsies. After the fall of Romania’s communist regime in 1989, the entrepreneurial instincts of the Roma people and their engagement in the lucrative metal trade meant that some members of the culture could afford to buy new houses — then tear them down and rebuild them. Photographers Karla Gachet and Ivan Kashinsky spent two months working to gain access to these glittering houses of Buzescu, an “otherwise dour farm town,” and their vivid, personal images highlight the Roma culture’s struggle to balance traditional values with newfound wealth and outside influence. O’Neil, Gachet and Kashinsky are available for interviews.

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 past 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 33 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 Traveler Announces Winners of 2012 Traveler Photo Contest

This image was shot in the Kyrgyz lands of the Wakhan Corridor. The intimacy of this everyday life moment, shot inside of a family yurt, is in total contrast with the harsh environment these nomadic tribes live in. On the right we notice a television and a sound console. These tribes live weeks away from any village by foot. In spite of being located at an altitude of 4,300 meters in one of the most remote areas of Afghanistan they are equipped with solar panels, satellite dishes and cellphones. Ancestral ways of living, with touches of modernity.

WASHINGTON (Aug. 14, 2012)—National Geographic Traveler announced today the winners of the 2012 Traveler Photo Contest. The grand-prize winner is C?dric Houin of Brooklyn, N.Y.  He has won a 10-day Gal?pagos Photography Expedition for two with National Geographic Expeditions. His winning photo, “Butterfly,” captures a Kyrgyz woman and her daughter sewing with an old-fashioned-looking machine in a remote region of Afghanistan.

“The intimacy of this everyday life moment, shot inside of a family yurt, is in total contrast with the harsh environment these nomadic tribes live in,” said Houin. “These tribes live weeks away from any village by foot. In spite of being located at an altitude of 4,300 meters in one of the most remote areas of Afghanistan, they are equipped with solar panels, satellite dishes and cell phones.”

Vo Anh Kiet of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, placed second for the image “My Balloon” and wins a spot in an intensive two-and-a-half-day photo workshop at Santa Fe Workshops. Third place went to Andrea Guarneri of Sicily, Italy, for “Devotees.” His prize is to take part in a National Geographic Traveler seminar.

“I’ve judged this contest for 15 years and it increasingly thrills me. We had an avalanche of entries that clearly illustrate how powerful photography has become among those who aren’t professional shooters. The range of subject matter, the excellence of composition, the pure surprise factor—everyone stepped up their game to make this our most competitive contest,” said Keith Bellows, National Geographic Traveler magazine editor in chief.

The 24th annual photo contest received more than 12,000 images from 6,615 talented photographers in 152 countries around the globe. Contestants submitted photographs in four categories: Travel Portraits; Outdoor Scenes; Sense of Place; and Spontaneous Moments. Judging consisted of two rounds of evaluation based on creativity and photographic quality. The three winning photographs along with the seven merit winners can be viewed on the Traveler Photo Contest page.

The Gal?pagos Photography Expedition in which Houin will participate is a unique experience to join a National Geographic photographer aboard the National Geographic Endeavour and learn photography tips and techniques. The trip is part of National Geographic Expeditions, the travel program of the National Geographic Society, which provides guided trips spanning all seven continents and more than 60 destinations.

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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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TALES OF THE WEIRD: Unbelievable True Stories

WASHINGTON (Aug. 14, 2012)—Look out. This fall, things are going to get weird. National Geographic Books’ new publication NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TALES OF THE WEIRD (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0965-9; on sale Oct. 23, 2012; $18.95 trade paperback) has more than 500 pages of the world’s most unbelievable true stories. The editor-in-chief of National Geographic Daily News website, David Braun, has collected the most popular, surprising and fun stories that have astounded and entertained his hundreds of millions of visitors for more than a decade.

This affordable reader is filled with stories of some of the world’s strangest phenomena, such as the truth behind the Maya “Doomsday” calendar, the albino Cyclops shark found off the coast of Mexico, the mind-controlling fungus that can turn ants into zombies, the secret Cold War mission that led to the Titanic’s discovery, and the discovery of the world’s oldest mattress. Each story is stranger than the next and must be read to be believed.

TALES OF THE WEIRD is divided into 11 chapters: Ancient Rites & Sacred Places; The Body Human; Creature Features; Creepy Crawlies; Explaining the Unexplained; Feathered Friends; The Final Frontier; Human History; Natural Phenomena; Prehistoric Life; and Underwater Weirdness. The book is packed with hundreds of photos, fact-filled sidebars and timelines, and engaging anecdotes that only enhance the weird experience.

Since its founding in 2001, hundreds of millions of fans have clicked on National Geographic Daily News stories — from the discovery of a fish with a see-through head to the secrets of Area 51. The stories befuddle and amaze as they reveal the curious science behind each one. Now these popular stories of extraordinary phenomena are at your fingertips in book format. This volume is a must-have for science, history and nature lovers and fans of National Geographic Daily News website or “fun fact” trivia books. Backed by science, diligently researched and fueled by curiosity, these TALES OF THE WEIRD have to be read to be believed.

About the Author

David Braun is editor-in-chief of nationalgeographic.com’s Daily News, Environment and Science content (news.nationalgeographic.com). A journalist for 35 years covering science, environment, technology, business and politics for newspapers, magazines, newsletters and online news services, Braun’s former positions include political correspondent for The Star newspaper (Johannesburg, South Africa), Washington bureau chief for Africa’s largest newspaper group (Independent Newspapers), Washington correspondent for CMP Media’s TechWeb and Public Affairs editor for the National Geographic Society.

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.

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New Kenyan Fossils Shed Light on Early Human Evolution

NAIROBI, KENYA – Exciting new fossils discovered east of Lake Turkana confirm that there were two additional species of our genus – Homo – living alongside our direct human ancestral species, Homo erectus, almost two million years ago. The finds, announced in the prestigious scientific journal Nature on August 9th, include a face, a remarkably complete lower jaw, and part of a second lower jaw. They were uncovered between 2007 and 2009 by the Koobi Fora Research Project (KFRP), led by Meave and Louise Leakey. KFRP’s fieldwork was facilitated by the Turkana Basin Institute (TBI), and supported by the National Geographic Society, which has funded the KFRP since 1968.

Four decades ago, the KFRP discovered the enigmatic fossil known as KNM-ER 1470 (or “1470” for short). This skull, readily distinguished by its large brain size and long flat face, ignited a longstanding debate about just how many different species of early Homo lived alongside Homo erectus during the Pleistocene epoch. 1470’s unusual morphology was attributed by some scientists to sexual differences and natural degrees of variation within a single species, whereas others interpreted the fossil as evidence of a separate species.

This decades-old dilemma has endured for two reasons. First, comparisons with other fossils have been limited due to the fact that 1470’s remains do not include its teeth or lower jaw. Second, no other fossil skull has mirrored 1470’s flat and long face, leaving in doubt just how representative these characteristics are. The new fossils address both issues.

“For the past 40 years we have looked long and hard in the vast expanse of sediments around Lake Turkana for fossils that confirm the unique features of 1470’s face and show us what its teeth and lower jaw would have looked like,” says Meave Leakey, co-leader of the KFRP and a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. “At last we have some answers.”

“Combined, the three new fossils give a much clearer picture of what 1470 looked like,” says Fred Spoor, leader of the scientific analyses. “As a result, it is now clear that two species of early Homo lived alongside Homo erectus. The new fossils will greatly help in unraveling how our branch of human evolution first emerged and flourished almost two million years ago.”

Found within a radius of just over 10 km from 1470’s location, the three new fossils are dated between 1.78 million and 1.95 million years old. The face KNM-ER 62000, discovered by field crew member Elgite Lokorimudang in 2008, is very similar to that of 1470, showing that the latter is not a single “odd one out” individual. Moreover, the face’s well-preserved upper jaw has almost all of its cheek teeth still in place, which for the first time makes it possible to infer the type of lower jaw that would have fitted 1470. A particularly good match can be found in the other two new fossils, the lower jaw KNM-ER 60000, found by Cyprian Nyete in 2009, and part of another lower jaw, KNM-ER 62003, found by Robert Moru in 2007. KNM-ER 60000 stands out as the most complete lower jaw of an early member of the genus Homo yet discovered.

The team working on the new finds included Christopher Kiarie (TBI), who carried out the laboratory preparation of the fossils, Craig Feibel (Rutgers University), who studied the age of the fossils, and Susan Ant?n (New York University), Christopher Dean (UCL, University College London), Meave and Louise Leakey (TBI, Kenya; and Stony Brook University, New York) and Fred Spoor (Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig and UCL), who analyzed the fossils. The National Geographic Society funded the fieldwork, the Leaky Foundation funded geological studies, and the Max Planck Society supported laboratory work.

TBI is a privately funded, non-profit initiative founded by Richard Leakey and Stony Brook University, New York, that seeks to facilitate multi-disciplinary fieldwork within the Lake Turkana Basin in affiliation with the National Museums of Kenya. The primary research focus is human prehistory and related earth and natural science studies. For more information, visit TBI at: http://www.turkanabasin.org/discovery/knmer60000/

Nature paper available for registered journalists via the press site (http://press.nature.com). Those not registered can contact press@nature.com

Additional information at http://www.turkanabasin.org/discovery/knmer60000/

National Geographic News Story

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National Geographic Angry Birds

WASHINGTON (Aug. 6, 2012)—Each day, millions of gamers sling virtual “Angry Birds” at the green piggies that have stolen the birds’ eggs. Now it’s time to find out what a real-life Angry Bird looks like. National Geographic Books and Rovio, creator of the Angry Birds phenomenon, have teamed up to share tales of 50 avian aggressors known for their belligerent behavior.

In the lighthearted NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ANGRY BIRDS: 50 True Stories of the Fed up, Feathered, and Furious (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0996-3; on-sale date: Sept. 25, 2012; $13.95 paperback), author and avian expert Mel White reveals fascinating facts about angry bird behavior and tips on how to stay clear of the furious fowl. Each amusing anecdote, which explains when and why the birds are at their meanest, also packs a scientific punch with interesting details about each featured bird and a “rap sheet” with its common name and genus; physical description; known whereabouts; aliases; and angry behaviors. The Ad?lie penguin, for example, is known for lunging, pecking and stealing nest rocks; the European starling aggressively evicts other birds from their nesting cavities; the northern fulmar kills by vomiting stomach oil; and the northern shrike impales prey on thorns for later feasting.

Structured like the Angry Birds game, which progresses by degree of difficulty, the book’s chapters progress in degrees of avian anger intensity, from Annoyed to Testy to Outraged to Furious. Readers will discover the world’s angriest real bird at the end. (Hint: It lives in Australia, New Zealand and parts of New Guinea.)

In addition to the real-life angry bird stories, the book shares information about the Angry Birds we all know and love from the hit game. In the book’s TOP SECRET pages, Angry Bird fans will learn the personality, name and other details of each of the iconic digital Angry Birds.

The book is richly illustrated with photographs of each of the 50 featured real-life birds, often depicted displaying their most aggressive behavior, as well as graphics from the game.

Designed to appeal to everyone from Angry Bird enthusiasts to real-life bird enthusiasts, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ANGRY BIRDS is a fun and informative read as well as a great tool for keeping yourself safe from fed-up, furious, feathered foes.

This is the second book on which National Geographic and Rovio have collaborated. In March 2012, “Angry Birds Space,” a companion book to the Angry Birds game of the same name, was published.

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National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids

WASHINGTON (Aug. 6, 2012)—For more than 100 years, National Geographic has featured the work of some of the world’s foremost photographers in its magazine and other media products. Now, National Geographic is giving kids a chance to be the next Chris Johns, Joel Sartore or Annie Griffiths with its sixth annual International Photography Contest for Kids. The competition is conducted in partnership with the U.S. edition of National Geographic Kids magazine (also available in Canada) and 10 local-language NG Kids editions in Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Each country will select first- and second-prize winners in four categories: People, Animals, Scenery and Humor. All first-place winners will compete for the grand prize: a five-day, four-night trip to Washington, D.C., and a special tour of National Geographic headquarters.

The contest is open to kids ages 6-14. U.S. contestants may enter now through Oct. 31, 2012, by submitting one photo in any or all four categories. Photos can be black-and-white or color, and shot with a digital camera or with conventional film. Entries can be submitted online at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids-photo-contest/ or via regular mail. Entry forms and official contest rules are found at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/contests/photo-contest-rules/. Void where prohibited.

“Whether it’s documenting a moment shared between friends or an interesting angle of an everyday object or even a funny portrait of a family dog, a photograph has the magic to bridge barriers to communicate a message or feeling,” said Melina Bellows, International Photography Contest judge and National Geographic’s executive vice president and chief creative officer for Books, Kids and Family. “Through the National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids, we hope to encourage kids from around the globe to use the power of photography to capture their world and share it with others.”

Each participating international local-language edition will submit its winning entries in each category to National Geographic headquarters to be judged alongside the winning U.S. entries by a panel of three National Geographic experts: Bellows; National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore (author of “Photographing Your Family” and “Rare: Portraits of America’s Endangered Species”); and Jay Sumner, photo director for National Geographic Kids Publishing and Media.

The judges will announce the winning entries in January 2013. Winning entries will be featured in the U.S. and international editions of National Geographic Kids magazine.

Note: 2011 National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids winning images are available at http://press.nationalgeographic.com/downloads/IPC_Kids/2011_winners

(username: press | password: press).

About National Geographic Kids magazine

National Geographic Kids, a multitopic, photo-driven magazine for 6- to 14-year-olds, empowers its readers by making it fun to learn about the world. It covers animals, entertainment, science, technology, cultures and current events. Its numerous industry awards include Periodical of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from the Association of Educational Publishers. Published 10 times a year and in 17 local-language editions, National Geographic Kids has a circulation of 1.1 million and is available by subscription for $19.95 a year and on newsstands for $4.99 a copy. Its website is at kids.nationalgeographic.com.

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National Geographic Names Tracie A. Winbigler Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

WASHINGTON (Aug. 2, 2012)—Tracie A. Winbigler joined the National Geographic Society as executive vice president and chief financial officer on Aug. 1, 2012. She will oversee the Society’s financial operations as well as its information and technology groups.

Winbigler worked previously at GE, where she spent 25 years in a wide range of financial roles. She was most recently executive vice president and chief financial officer of GE Asset Management, responsible for the financial operations of an investment management company with $120 billion of assets under management. Other positions she held at GE were HealthAhead finance leader, responsible for the analysis of $3 billion of U.S. employee health care costs across all GE divisions; chief financial officer of GE Transportation; chief financial officer of GE Nuclear Energy; chief financial officer of GE Plastics Japan JV; and quality finance leader and global controller of GE Plastics.

Winbigler also spent more than five years with NBC Universal, including a stint as executive vice president, finance, and chief financial officer for NBC Universal Television Group and Digital Media.

“Tracie has vast and diverse financial expertise, and we are very fortunate to have recruited an executive of her stature and experience into this critical leadership role,” said National Geographic Society Chairman and CEO John Fahey.

Winbigler has a B.A. in economics and management concentration from Ohio Wesleyan University. She lives in Silver Spring, Md.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
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, school publishing programs, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic magazine, the Society’s official journal, published in English and 33 local-language editions, is read by more than 60 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches 435 million households in 37 languages in 173 countries. 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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Travelpro Introduces National Geographic Kontiki™ Luggage Collection

Boca Raton, Fla. – (August 1, 2012) – Travelpro International, the leading manufacturer of lightweight durable luggage, is proud to partner with National Geographic, one of the world’s largest scientific and educational nonprofit organizations, to introduce the National Geographic Kontiki? Collection of luggage. Montreal-based Holiday Group Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Travelpro International Inc. in the United States were selected as luggage and travel accessories licensee for the National Geographic and National Geographic Explorer brands in North America.

Inspired by the rich heritage and real-world experiences of the Society’s explorers and photographers, the National Geographic Kontiki Collection combines the ruggedly stylish retro look of yesteryear with today’s modern travel features. All Kontiki luggage is crafted from recycled khaki-color fabric that looks exactly like canvas, yet is much lighter and more durable. Rich faux-leather accents and antique brass hardware finish emphasize the historic look. This versatile 8-piece luggage collection combines lightweight, long-lasting upright luggage; soft and rolling duffels; a messenger bag; and a daypack; all in one matching collection.

“Ideal for camping, skiing and off-road trips, the National Geographic Kontiki duffels are a must-have for adventurous travelers. Packed with features and built to take on any journey, this collection is explorer-ready and eco-friendly,” said Scott Applebee Vice President of Marketing for Travelpro. “We are proud to partner with National Geographic and to support their important mission and projects.”

The Kontiki luggage collection has unique features for every adventure traveler’s needs. The ball-bearing in-line skate wheels on the upright and rolling duffel models are tested for over 25 miles, and the handle system is tested over 12,500 cycles for optimal performance. The collection comes standard with a unique interior lining featuring a map of the world, reflecting National Geographic’s tradition of exploration.

Multiple exterior pockets allow easy access to a laptop or tablet, boarding pass, cell phone, electronics and more. Other features include 2 ?” expansion capability for additional packing room, a removable drawstring laundry bag to keep dirty and clean clothes separate and a built-in interior wet pocket to store toiletries or wet items. The duffels have a convenient drop bottom compartment that is ideal for storing shoes and bulky gear.

The National Geographic Kontiki Collection includes the following models:  22” Soft Duffel, Daypack, Messenger Bag, 22” Expandable Rollaboard Luggage, 26” Expandable Rollaboard Luggage, 26” Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel, 32” Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel and 30” Cargo Duffel.

National Geographic’s net proceeds from the sale of these products will support vital exploration, conservation, research and education programs.

About National Geographic

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; trips; 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.

About Travelpro?

For 25 years, Travelpro International has prided itself on design innovation and durability in crafting the highest-quality luggage for travellers worldwide. Since transforming the ease of modern-day travel with The Original Rollaboard? wheeled luggage, Travelpro? has been the brand of choice for flight crews and frequent travelers worldwide. Travelpro is dedicated to building a lifelong relationship with its customers by consistently understanding and exceeding their needs. The company offers a variety of innovative, high-quality luggage collections and computer briefs; each aimed at a specific user lifestyle and rigorously tested. Travelpro was the winner of the 2009 and 2010 Leading Edge Award from Executive Travel Magazine for “The Best Carry-on Case.” Travelpro is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the invention of the Rollaboard? throughout 2012.

Please visit Travelpro at www.travelpro.com for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Technical Fact Sheet

National Geographic Kontiki Collection Dimensions

22” Expandable Rollaboard? Luggage

26” Expandable Rollaboard? Luggage

26? Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel

32? Expandable Drop Bottom Rolling Duffel

All National Geographic Kontiki? Collection visuals are available upon request. Please contact Yaneisy Blanco at: yaneisy@gohrmc.com or call 305-573-0882.

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Cincinnati Zoo Cheetah Sets New World Speed Record

CINCINNATI, OH (August 2, 2012) - “Sarah,” the Cincinnati Zoo’s 11-year-old cheetah, sets new world speed record!  She first earned the title of world’s fastest of all land mammals in 2009 when she covered 100 meters in 6.13 seconds, breaking the previous mark of 6.19 seconds set by a male South African cheetah named Nyana in 2001.  This year, Sarah shattered all 100-meter times when she posted 5.95 seconds.  By comparison, Sarah’s 100-meter run was nearly four seconds faster than the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt of Jamaica, whose fastest time for the same distance is 9.58 seconds.  Sarah’s top speed was clocked at 61 mph.

“At the Cincinnati Zoo it is our goal to inspire every visitor with wildlife every day, and nothing inspires awe like seeing a cheetah running full blast in our Cheetah Encounter.  We are very proud of Sarah, our World Record Holder, since she is a terrific ambassador for her cheetah cousins in the wild,” said Thane Maynard, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. “The Cincinnati Zoo has supported cheetah conservation in Africa for more than 20 years, and thankfully, cheetahs are the one species that has a chance to out run extinction.”

Sarah and the Cincinnati Zoo’s other four cheetahs in the Cat Ambassador Program were at the Zoo’s Regional Cheetah Breeding Facility as part of a project that will be featured in the November issue of National Geographic Magazine, which will include never-before-seen high speed photographs of cheetah movement.  The documentation of the run was also supported by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative, a long-term effort to halt the decline of big cats in the wild through assessment efforts, on-the-ground conservation projects, education, economic incentive programs and a global public-awareness campaign. Information is available at CauseAnUproar.org.

Cameras captured the record-breaking run on Sarah’s first attempt as she chased a fluffy dog toy lure on a specially designed course certified by the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field.

Cheetahs are built for speed.  Their flexible spine allows their front legs to stretch far forward on each stride, covering 20 to 22 feet in one stride, about the same distance as a racehorse. Cheetahs are off the ground more than half of their running time. Their claws are hard and sharp like cleats, giving them great traction when they run.

Cheetahs are endangered, and their population worldwide has shrunk from about 100,000 in 1900 to an estimated 9,000 to 12,000 cheetahs today. The Cincinnati Zoo has been dubbed “The Cheetah Capital of the World” because of its conservation efforts through education, public interpretation, and the captive cheetah breeding program. The Zoo’s Regional Cheetah Breeding Center is one of only four similar facilities in the United States managed by the Species Survival Plan. In total, there have been 64 cheetah cubs born in Cincinnati.

Since 1980 the Cincinnati Zoo’s “Cat Ambassador Program” has taken African cheetahs to schools and programs around the U.S, Canada, and Central America to spread the word that cheetahs are running for their lives.  In addition, each summer the Zoo takes 22 school teachers to the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s headquarters in Namibia for a two-week conservation field study. Since 1990 the Cincinnati Zoo’s “Angel Fund,” named after our first cheetah ambassador, “Angel,” has directly supported cheetah conservation in Africa.  From South African and Namibia in the south, up through Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, The Angel Fund has contributed more than $1 million in support for cheetahs in the wild.

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The world famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was rated the #1 attraction locally and one of the top zoos in the nation by Zagat Survey.  It was recognized by Parents Magazine as #7 on the “Top 10 Best Zoos for Kids.” It has also been recognized by Child Magazine as one of “The 10 Best Zoos for Kids.”  Over one million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning exhibits, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants, and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. For more information, visit www.cincinnatizoo.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; 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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