Ami Vitale, a National Geographic photojournalist and documentary filmmaker, discussed ecological issues, cultural traditions, and belonging in her first lecture for the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Vitale emphasized the urgent state of the environment, noting that 73% of the world’s wildlife has been lost in the past 50 years. She urged a shift in focus from frantic solutions to listening to Earth’s inhabitants for healing.
Having spent nearly a decade documenting efforts to save northern white rhinos, including Sudan, the last male, Vitale highlighted the vital connection between environmental health and human suffering. Through stories from her work, such as the establishment of Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary by a local community to combat poaching, she illustrated the resilience of nature when given a chance.
Vitale also recounted her experience in China with the Panda Program aimed at preventing species extinction. After overcoming initial setbacks with her pitch to National Geographic, she successfully documented efforts to breed and eventually release pandas into the wild, showcasing positive conservation initiatives.
She encouraged her audience to find their own passions for conservation, stressing that hope comes from facing reality and choosing to act. Vitale concluded by reminding attendees that even small acts of kindness can contribute to larger changes in the face of the climate crisis.
