South America’s Gran Chaco region spans a complex mix of land, climates, and species. National Geographic Emerging Explorer and conservation biologist Erika Cuéllar shares her passion and know-how with the people who live there to protect their natural treasure from unsustainable development.

National Geographic Emerging Explorer and data artist Jer Thorp translates unimaginable blurs of information into something we can see, understand, and feel—data made human through visualizations that blend research, art, software, science, and design.

National Geographic grantee and forest ecologist Nalini Nadkarni is known for using nontraditional pathways to raise awareness of nature’s importance to human lives, working with artists, preachers, musicians, and even prisoners.