National Geographic Launches ‘For Nature’ Program to Advance Global Rights of Nature Movement

Май 21, 2025

9:30 дп

Key Impact Points:

New funding initiative supports ten global projects to embed legal rights for nature into conservation.
Program led by Explorer Callie Veelenturf with backing from the Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund.
Aims to empower researchers, equip policymakers, and inspire public understanding of nature’s legal rights.

National Geographic and Philanthropic Fund Unite for Nature’s Legal Recognition

The National Geographic Society and the Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund have announced the launch of For Nature, a new program supporting the global Rights of Nature movement. The initiative—timed with the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22—will fund ten National Geographic Explorer-led projects designed to drive legal, scientific, and public support for recognizing ecosystems and species as rights-bearing entities.

Advancing a Global Movement

The program is guided by National Geographic Explorer and marine biologist Callie Veelenturf, who founded For Nature to mainstream nature’s legal recognition as a conservation tool.

“Recognizing the Rights of Nature is vitally important because it directly changes the way in which society considers Nature in decision making,” said Veelenturf. “I hope to catalyze Rights of Nature advancements with other passionate individuals who can lead in their own spheres of influence.”

The ten projects will mobilize scientists and conservationists, provide technical resources and toolkits, and develop storytelling content and policy education to scale impact.

Fund Backs Visionary Conservation

The Alfred Kobacker and Elizabeth Trimbach Fund, which focuses on supporting visionary individuals rather than institutions, made one of its largest commitments by funding both the For Nature program and the establishment of the Callie Veelenturf For Nature Foundation.

“Unlike traditional charitable funds that focus on organizations, the Fund invests in exceptional individuals driving meaningful change,” said Alfred Kobacker. “This commitment is exemplified by our support of The For Nature program at National Geographic.”

Supporting Tools, Training, and Policy Change

The funded projects will collectively:

Produce a conservation toolkit based on Rights of Nature frameworks
Provide storytelling and impact media training
Offer workshops and academic research on species and ecosystem threats
Equip scientists and policymakers with tools to implement rights-based protections

“The For Nature program represents the Society’s unique ability to drive solutions for the most critical issues facing our world,” said Ian Miller, Chief Science and Innovation Officer at the National Geographic Society. “We are excited to support Callie Veelenturf’s vision to bring the Rights of Nature to the forefront of global conservation efforts.”

By embedding legal protections into conservation, For Nature seeks to reframe humanity’s relationship with the natural world—shifting from dominion to responsibility.