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Vital Impacts announces their 2024 Environmental Photography Grants: each of them will honour exceptional individuals who exemplify environmental stewardship, advocacy, and innovation. These grants are named in recognition of their significant contributions, in the hope that their stories will inspire others to explore their impactful work and follow in their footsteps.
The seven Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grants are as follows:
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Dr. Jane Goodall’s pioneering research and advocacy have profoundly deepened our connection to the natural world. Her groundbreaking studies on primates, especially chimpanzees, have transformed our understanding of their emotional lives. Through her tireless work at the Jane Goodall Institute, she has sparked a global movement to protect endangered species and their habitats. This grant supports photographers committed to telling solution-oriented environmental stories, celebrating Dr. Goodall’s legacy of hope and resilience.
Renowned oceanographer and conservationist Dr. Sylvia Earle has spent more than 7,500 hours underwater, earning accolades such as TIME magazine’s “Hero for the Planet.” She has broken records, led the first all-female Aquanaut team, and founded Mission Blue, a global initiative to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. This grant honours her efforts by supporting photographers focused on ocean conservation and using storytelling to inspire action and awareness.
Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an Indigenous environmental activist and member of Chad’s Mbororo people, has been a staunch advocate for Indigenous voices and environmental protection since founding the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) at age 12. She has played pivotal roles in international climate negotiations and policy-making. This grant aims to support photographers who highlight Indigenous knowledge and experiences in the fight for planetary preservation.
Ian Lemaiyan was a passionate conservation pilot whose work in aerial wildlife surveys and anti-poaching patrols in Kenya left a lasting impact. A gifted photographer and filmmaker, his work was featured in “Wildlife Warriors” and “The Flying Maasai”. This grant honours Ian’s legacy by supporting aspiring photographers dedicated to making a positive difference, just as Ian did through his commitment to wildlife protection and visual storytelling.
Chico Mendes, a Brazilian rubber tapper turned environmentalist, fought tirelessly to preserve the Amazon rainforest and the rights of local communities. He founded the world’s first forest conservation initiative led by forest peoples, laying the groundwork for Brazil s extractive reserves. This grant celebrates his legacy by supporting photographers who embody his courage and determination in the fight for environmental and social justice.
Madonna Thunder Hawk has been a powerful force in Native American activism and environmental protection. From her role in the Red Power Movement to her work with the Lakota People’s Law Project, she has spent decades advocating for justice and environmental rights, serving as an advisor to the Warrior Women Project and the Director of Grassroots Organizing for the Red Road Institute. This grant supports photographers whose work reflects solutions-based environmental storytelling, inspired by Madonna Thunder Hawk’s legacy of resilience and advocacy.
Dr. E.O. Wilson, a pioneering biologist, revolutionised modern conservation science with his "Half-Earth" concept, which calls for protecting half of Earth’s surface to curb the global extinction crisis. His work continues to inspire global efforts to safeguard biodiversity through the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation s Half-Earth Project. This grant supports photographers capturing stories that bridge the gap between humanity and nature, aiming to protect and restore ecosystems.
Vital Impacts is looking for photographers with a deep connection to their local communities who are passionate about capturing environmental issues and solutions. Recipients must focus on documenting stories within their own communities, helping to elevate local journalism and reporting. Only photographers who are rooted in the communities they aim to highlight will be considered.
While prior publication is not required, Vital Impacts encourages applications from visual journalists who have been working on long-term projects with a strong relationship to their subjects. In addition to the seven grants, ten emerging photographers will be selected for an intensive mentorship program designed to support their professional growth. All applicants will also have access to a comprehensive online mentorship series to help explore environmental storytelling.
Learn more about the 2024 Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grants and Mentorships at https://vitalimpacts.org/pages/the-vital-impacts-environmental-photography-grant.
