Society Announcements

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO LAUNCH KIDS' MAGAZINE IN INDONESIA

2009-10-22

WASHINGTON (Oct. 22, 2009)--The National Geographic Society will launch the newest edition of its children's magazine in Indonesia, bringing the number of international editions of its National Geographic Kids publication to 18. The November issue will be available beginning Oct. 26, and the official launch event will be held at SeaWorld Indonesia on Nov. 19.

National Geographic Kids Indonesia will be published by PT Penerbitan Sarana Bobo, the children's publishing arm of Kompas-Gramedia Group, the largest media corporation in Indonesia. Each issue will be completely bilingual in English and Bahasa Indonesia.

Content for the magazine will be drawn primarily from the award-winning U.S. magazine National Geographic Kids and also will include local Indonesian content related to the environment, animal life and other topics that will excite kids about exploring their world. There will be 12 issues a year, and the magazine will be available by subscription, on newsstands and in Gramedia bookstores throughout Indonesia.

Local editions of National Geographic's children's magazine also are available in Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Latin America, The Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa (two editions), Turkey and the United Kingdom. This growth mirrors the global expansion of the famous yellow-bordered National Geographic magazine, now available in 32 local-language editions and read by more than 35 million people each month. The children's magazines, which accept advertising, also sport the familiar yellow border.

"The growth spurt of our children's publications allows National Geographic and the local-language publishers to reach an untapped youth market with this best-loved brand," said Society President John Fahey. "Giving young people in Indonesia a window to the world in their own language through National Geographic's incomparable photographs and storytelling is a compelling way to spread geographic knowledge and to extend the Society's mission to inspire people to care about the planet."

Founded in 1973, PT Penerbitan Sarana Bobo is the largest publishing company and market leader for children's magazines in Indonesia, with publications for children of all ages from toddlers to secondary school students. With a focus on information, communication and education, the Kompas-Gramedia Group has in the past four decades diversified its media business to include regional newspapers, books, magazines, a television channel, radio, bookstores, hotels, real estate development, travel bureaus and tissue paper production.

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. It reaches more than 375 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 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

Big Cats Initiative Launched by National Geographic First Step: Halting Decline of Lions

2009-10-13

Big cats are in trouble, from lions in Kenya to snow leopards in the Himalaya. The icons of the natural world — lions, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars and other top felines — are disappearing, victims of habitat loss and degradation as well as conflicts with humans. Large cats are keystone species of their ecosystems; losing them means not only loss of a majestic predator but destruction of a natural balance that affects an entire environmental system, including people.

To address this critical situation the National Geographic Society has launched the Big Cats Initiative, a comprehensive program that supports on-the-ground conservation projects, education and economic incentive efforts and a global public-awareness campaign.

Iconic Species Facing Extinction: The program's first phase will target lions, whose populations are dying off rapidly across Africa. Lions once ranged across Africa and into Syria, Israel, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran and northwest India; some 1.5 million lions roamed the earth two millennia ago. Since the 1940s, when lions numbered an estimated 450,000, lion populations have blinked out across the continent and now may total as few as 20,000 animals. Scientists connect the drastic decreases in lions in part to burgeoning human populations.

The first goal of the Big Cats Initiative is to halt lion population declines by the year 2015 and to restore populations to sustainable levels by 2020.

Grants Offered: As a first step, National Geographic will map all available data on lion populations, demographics and habitat. Using that information, National Geographic will launch a grant program that will fund a variety of conservation projects across the lions' range. These include innovative projects focused on near-term results for saving lions, including anti-poaching programs and projects that test new techniques and technologies.

Proposals for education projects will be encouraged, especially those working directly with community stakeholders to help local populations understand the ecological and economic value of preserving lions and other big cats. Projects that establish economic incentives for local people to ensure long-term survival of lions will especially be a priority.

Emergency grants, such as the one made in 2008 by National Geographic to the Maasailand Preservation Trust in support of its Predator Compensation Fund, will be considered. That fund compensates local Maasai herdsmen for livestock kills by lions in and around Kenya's Amboseli National Park, where the lion population has declined drastically in recent years. Reports from the field indicate that lion deaths have dropped considerably in some areas since the project began.

Leaders from Africa: The Big Cats Initiative is made up of conservationists led by National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Having lived and worked in some of Africa's most remote areas for more than 25 years as authors and filmmakers, the Jouberts have embraced the cause of wildlife conservation, especially for big cats. Dereck and Beverly are active conservationists in Botswana, members of the IUCN Lion Working Group and founding members of the Chobe Wildlife Trust and of Conservation International in Botswana. The Jouberts also work in ecotourism and on building community partnerships.

"We no longer have the luxury of time when it comes to big cats," said Dereck Joubert. "They are in such a downward spiral that if we hesitate now, we will be responsible for extinctions across the globe. If there was ever a time to take action, it is now."

Partners and Funders Sought: National Geographic will collaborate with local and international NGOs, corporations, local community groups and individuals to work with saving lions and ensuring the future of this multiyear initiative.

More information on the Big Cats Initiative and applying for grants is available at www.nationalgeographic.com/bigcats.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ANNOUNCES RESTRUCTURING OF SALES AND MARKETING TEAM

2009-10-05

WASHINGTON (Oct. 5, 2009)—Claudia Malley has been named senior vice president and publisher, National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), and will, in her newly expanded role, oversee domestic sales and marketing for all of National Geographic's magazines and digital properties, it was announced today by John Q. Griffin, president, publishing, National Geographic Society, to whom Malley will report.

Steve Giannetti, long-time publisher for National Geographic Magazines, and Dawn Drew, vice president, travel, NGGM, will leave National Geographic as part of the restructuring.

"Claudia's promotion and the related reorganization of National Geographic's sales team further streamline our efforts to provide integrated service to our corporate advertising partners. We will all benefit from Claudia's extraordinary leadership, energy and vision," Griffin said.

"While we believe that this new structure positions us well in this challenging media environment, it is truly hard to say goodbye to Dawn and Steve, who have contributed so much to the success of our franchise over the years. We wish them the very best and look forward to collaborating with them in the future."

Malley's direct reports now include Jim Hoos, vice president, advertising sales, Digital Media, and Kim Connaghan, brand director, NGGM, in addition to Bob Amberg, brand director, NGGM, and Michele Murphy, director, global marketing, NGGM.

Malley has more than 20 years of experience in media brand management, sales and marketing, working across media disciplines including print, television and the Internet. She joined National Geographic magazine in 2003 as associate publisher and was named U.S. publisher in 2004. She began her media career at WNET, where she served as marketing director. She moved to Ziff-Davis, then to Rodale, where she was publisher of Runner's World magazine from 1999 to 2003.

An avid runner, Malley has completed five marathons and won many awards on the road, and running continues to fuel her energy daily. She serves as a member of the board of directors of the New York Road Runners and is involved in the Audubon Society in Sharon, Conn.

A New York native, Malley received her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Delaware. She lives in Manhattan, N.Y., and Sharon, Conn.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PARTNERS WITH WWF TO REDUCE EMISSIONS

2009-09-23

WASHINGTON, September 23, 2009 - National Geographic, through a partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF), announced today it will cut its emissions of greenhouse gases by 80 percent by the end of 2010. The Geographic's commitment comes on the heels of the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in New York and at the start of the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh.

"National Geographic's commitment to further reduce emissions could not be more timely or relevant," said Keya Chatterjee, acting director of WWF's climate program. "More than 100 world leaders gathered at the UN summit this week to show they are committed to building a strong climate agreement. Leaders representing 85 percent of the world's economy will meet at tomorrow's G-20 summit to foster a global economic recovery. National Geographic understands that emissions reductions and strong economic performance go hand in hand."

National Geographic is one of 22 participants, including HP, Nike, The Coca-Cola Company, IBM, and Johnson & Johnson, in WWF's Climate Savers program. Collectively, WWF's Climate Savers partners will reduce emissions by an estimated 50 million tons by 2010, an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of Switzerland. Overall, the partners say these efforts are resulting in greater operational efficiency and significant cost reductions.

"Conservation has been at the core of National Geographic throughout our 121-year-history. We're delighted to be joining other like-minded organizations with strong climate action plans," said Ted Prince, National Geographic's executive vice president of Global Media. "Investing in energy efficiency and clean energy technology is a highly effective way to grow our business while protecting the planet from catastrophic climate change."

National Geographic will work with WWF to reduce its CO2 emissions from operations by 80 percent by 2010 and reduce CO2 emissions from its magazine paper and printing materials supply chain by 10 percent by 2015. The emissions reductions are based on a 2005 baseline.

National Geographic is the first media organization to join WWF's Climate Savers program. As such, it will help communicate the message of WWF's "Let the Clean Economy Begin" campaign. The campaign calls on world leaders to find a solution to climate change. It also demonstrates, using results from WWF's partners, that it is possible to grow a business while reducing its CO2 emissions.

Note to editors:
The Climate Savers program is a collaboration between some of the world's foremost corporations and WWF to show leadership in reducing emissions and heading off catastrophic climate change. By participating in Climate Savers, companies work with WWF to develop a climate action plan that includes absolute emission reductions and steps to meet their goals. Independent technical experts monitor and verify compliance.

ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
WWF is the world's leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge, the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. The Society was recognized for its commitment to energy conservation by the National Energy Resources Organization Energy Efficiency Award in 2002 and received the EPA Green Power Leadership Award in 2006. National Geographic's Washington, D.C. headquarters was the first office building in the country to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Existing Building Program. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

ALEXANDRA GROSVENOR ELLER AND TED WAITT ARE ELECTED TO NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2009-09-21

WASHINGTON (Sept. 21, 2009)—Obstetrician Alexandra Grosvenor Eller, great-great-great-granddaughter of Gardiner Greene Hubbard, a founder and first president of the National Geographic Society, has been appointed to the Society's board of trustees. She is also the great-great-granddaughter of Alexander Graham Bell, the Society's second president, and the daughter of Gilbert M. Grosvenor, a former Society president and current chairman of its board of trustees. Joining her as a new board member is Ted Waitt, co-founder and former chairman of Gateway Inc. and chairman of The Waitt Family Foundation. They join 16 other trustees who are leaders in science, education, law, business, finance, government and public service.

The 121-year-old Society, whose mission is to inspire people to care about the planet, is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. It reaches more than 375 million people each month through its six magazines, National Geographic Channel, television documentaries, radio, music, films, books, DVDs, maps, school publishing programs, interactive media, exhibitions, live events and expeditions. It has funded more than 9,000 scientific research projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.

Grosvenor Eller is a physician in maternal fetal medicine at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City and an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah, where she completed her subspecialty training in high-risk pregnancy and a master's degree in public health. She received her medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University. She received a B.A. in molecular biology from Princeton University.

Grosvenor Eller has an interest in promoting maternal and child health across the globe and has spent time working with pregnant women in Kenya, a place she hopes to return to regularly.

"The National Geographic Society has always been an integral part of my life and has shaped my vision of the world as an interconnected community. I am honored and thrilled by the opportunity to carry on my family's tradition of service to the Society and its mission," Grosvenor Eller said.

Waitt led Gateway Inc. from a two-person startup in Waitt's family's Iowa farmhouse in 1985 to its becoming a leading global brand and a Fortune 500 company, until his retirement as CEO in 1999. He stepped down as Gateway's chairman in 2005 to focus on varied business and philanthropic interests. These include Avalon Capital Group, The Waitt Family Foundation, the Waitt Institute for Discovery and the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention. Waitt has partnered with National Geographic and IBM on the Genographic Project, which charts the migratory history of the human species. Waitt has been a member of National Geographic's Council of Advisors since July 2004 and has since partnered with the Society on authenticating, translating and publishing the Gospel of Judas and on launching the National Geographic Society-Waitt grants for scientific research.

"National Geographic is a tremendous organization that I've developed a very close relationship with over the last few years," said Waitt. "Together we've done some great things for the planet. I'm proud to now be an even closer part of the National Geographic team and look forward to doing even greater things in the future."

John Fahey, National Geographic Society president and CEO, said, "Lexi Grosvenor Eller's family has played a major role in the National Geographic Society since its founding in 1888. In addition to the positions held by Gardiner Greene Hubbard and Alexander Graham Bell, Lexi's father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served as editors of National Geographic magazine. The family's contribution to and impact on the organization is immeasurable, and we are delighted that Lexi will be continuing that rich legacy.

"Ted and The Waitt Family Foundation have been involved in a number of important National Geographic projects, including Genographic, the NGS-Waitt grant program and, most recently, significant research into the health of marine ecosystems. We have also worked with Ted to distribute the documentary film 'End of the Line,' which exposes the overfishing crisis. Ted's generosity and commitment to our work have allowed the Society to support vital scientific research and educational outreach and has furthered our mission of inspiring people to care about the planet," Fahey added. "The National Geographic board of trustees is fortunate to have the additional counsel and experience of Ted and Lexi, who have impressive records of leadership and service."

Note to Editors: Photographs of Alexandra Grosvenor Eller and Ted Waitt are available at the FTP site: http://ftp.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/trustees/
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THREE WINNERS NAMED IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S GEOTOURISM CHALLENGE 2009

2009-09-09

WASHINGTON (Sept. 9, 2009)—A "carbon neutral" airline in Costa Rica, a "voluntourism" program in rural Cambodia supporting local education, and a free community-mapping Web site in Spain have taken top honors in the second Geotourism Challenge, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and Ashoka's Changemakers.

The winners practice and advance the growing trend of geotourism: tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents. They were selected from 10 finalists out of 611 original entries from 81 countries. Entries for "Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place" almost doubled over the first Geotourism Challenge in 2008.

All three cutting-edge, innovative winners provide visitors with the opportunity to participate in sustainable travel; each winner will receive a $5,000 prize:

Nature Air, the 100 percent carbon-neutral airline in Costa Rica, offsets 100 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions to encourage reforestation of tropical forests in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. To date, Nature Air has compensated for nearly 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide through the protection of more than 500 acres. In addition, Nature Air recently helped develop Costa Rica's first alternative fueling station through its wholly owned fueling company, Aerotica. Nature Air fuels all ground equipment and vehicles with bio-diesel (a mix of recycled vegetable and cooking oils) collected from employees and restaurants.
PEPY ("Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself") is Cambodia's Educational Volunteer Tourism Program, providing adventure bike tours and on-site volunteer projects, like building rainwater collection units. All participants make donations to enhance education in impoverished rural Cambodia, where PEPY is based. It supports education for more than 1,700 families in 12 villages and six schools in rural Siem Reap Province, about 40 miles (65 km) from the city of Siem Reap, site of the Angkor temples.
Wikiloc Community Maps in Girona, Spain, created by a software engineer with a passion for travel, is built on information — including maps, photos and video — submitted to offer honest impressions about destinations. Wikiloc is a great source of outdoor activities, from mountain biking to ballooning. The site also promotes thematic activities like gastronomic routes, sightseeing urban trails and walks in archaeological areas. Created in 2006, the site is already translated in 14 languages, and more than 65,000 trails are included.

"We're excited to support three new innovators stretching the possibilities of geotourism," said Charlie Brown, Changemakers' executive director. "These winners are pushing us closer to realizing and sustaining a kind of travel that will enrich cultures and environments across the globe."

Jonathan B. Tourtellot, director of National Geographic's Center for Sustainable Destinations, said, "The winners are outstanding examples of geotourism practices that extend to good destination stewardship. They are committed to conserving and enhancing the quality of their locales while benefiting local people and providing visitors with authentic experiences. Geotourism is no flash in the pan: Travelers around the globe are seeking it out in both rural and urban settings. We're delighted to showcase the winners and runners-up who are leading the way."

The seven Geotourism Challenge runners-up:

Mongolia's Ger to Ger Foundation links visitors with genuine nomadic families and guides as a way to stimulate cultural understanding through noncommercial outdoor activities and to provide alternative incomes for these Mongolian people.
Evergreen Brick Works of Toronto, Canada, is an adaptive re-use of the heritage structures at the Don Valley Brick Works, converting the city's abandoned ravines into a much-respected public park and nature exploratory center.
Virgin Islands Youth Heritage Exchange Farm Excursions, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, focuses on food as the basis of youth identity and education, with visitors contributing to local mentoring through hands-on workshops and nature-based lifestyle-skill building.
Context Travel, based in Philadelphia, United States, offers walking seminars in major European cities. It encourages sustainable ways to visit urban destinations and contributes funds to cultural preservation projects in each of the cities where it operates.
RiverIndia.com's Bamboo Eco-Lodge River Trips, Arunachal Pradesh, India, help protect India's Siang River through increased conservation and locally guided rafting, kayaking and fishing expeditions.
Trout Point Lodge, Nova Scotia, a Five Green Key-designated nature retreat in Canada, has revitalized backwoods and Acadian French cultural tourism through its Nova Scotia Seafood Cooking School and staff naturalists providing guided access to the Tobeatic Wilderness Area.
Reality Tour Viagens e Turismo Ltda's Route of Freedom, Rua Bom Jesus, Brazil, commemorates the "Memory of the African Diaspora in Brazil" with seven interpretive trails winding through 15 cities of the Paraiba Valley.

For more details about the innovative work of all 10 finalists, go to the Geotourism Challenge 2009 website at www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge.

A panel of expert judges selected the 10 finalists in July, while the public chose the top three winners through online voting during a four-week period this summer, ending Aug. 12. The expert judges were Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement; Keith Bellows, a vice president of the National Geographic Society and editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine; Erika Harms, executive director of Sustainable Development, United Nations Foundation; Tony Wheeler, founder of Lonely Planet; Ben Keene, founder of Tribewanted; and Dr. Yang Yuming, vice president of Southwest Forestry University, China.

About Ashoka's Changemakers
Changemakers is an initiative of Ashoka, an organization with over three decades of finding, funding, and expanding the work of social entrepreneurs across the globe. It is a global online community of action that connects people to share ideas, inspire and mentor each other, and find and support the best ideas in social innovation. The Changemakers online community builds on this history and expands the Ashoka vision by creating an "Everyone a Changemaker" world through networking, relationship-building, and the sourcing of funding opportunities.

Through its collaborative competitions and open-source process, Changemakers has created one of the world's most robust laboratories for launching, refining, and scaling ideas for solving the world's most pressing social problems.

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. It reaches more than 370 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 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com. To learn more about the mission and work of the , visit www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/.

For images of the three 2009 Geotourism Challenge winners, visit http://ftp.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/geotourism_challenge/

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InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and National Geographic Extend Partnership to Include Global Geotourism Initiatives

2009-07-16

London, 30 June 2009 — InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the world's first truly global hotel brand, and the National Geographic Society have extended their partnership to include global geotourism initiatives. Both organizations will work together on a series of global initiatives to enrich the understanding of environmental and cultural responsibility among InterContinental associates and guests worldwide. National Geographic defines geotourism as "tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents." The InterContinental initiatives will work from grassroots up, harnessing the passion of the hotel general managers and their teams to help "sustain and enhance" the geographical character of destinations where InterContinental is present.

Vanessa Healey, Vice President, Global Marketing, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, said: "Across all our hotels worldwide, InterContinental is committed to connecting our well-travelled guests to what's special about a destination. We have always believed that we have a responsibility to respect the nature, heritage and communities our hotels reside in, so that future generations of travellers continue to enjoy what is unique to each destination. Working with National Geographic, we hope that our associates and our guests will be personally enriched, knowing they have played a small part in protecting and preserving all that is authentic and special about the places where we are located."

To kick off the partnership, InterContinental has adopted five principles that will enhance its hotels' ongoing environmental and cultural sustainability efforts and help identify new projects. The five principles are inspired by National Geographic's Geotourism Code of Good Practice, ensuring efforts that focus on integrity of place, destination appeal, community involvement, sharing success stories and minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

Throughout 2009, more than 60,000 InterContinental associates worldwide will participate in responsible business workshops to enhance their understanding of how they can personally be involved in some of the initiatives. InterContinental and National Geographic will also establish a Responsible Business Stewardship Council, made up of senior executives from both organizations and hotel general managers.

Jonathan Tourtellot, Director of the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations (CSD) and creator of the geotourism concept, said: "CSD is dedicated to protecting the world's distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. We work closely with many allied organizations to develop and disseminate information on how tourism businesses, destination communities and travellers can help protect the character of these great places — their culture, natural habitats, architecture, scenery, even local cuisine. We look forward to working with InterContinental to create actionable tools that do that — locally, regionally and globally."

InterContinental and National Geographic's affiliation started in 2007 with two successful global photography competitions, where guests and readers were invited to capture and share their authentic travel experiences. In 2008, InterContinental also sponsored National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival, which showcased inspiring films by indigenous film makers.

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has 158 hotels, located in more than 60 countries with local insight that comes from over 60 years of experience. At InterContinental we believe that superior, understated service and outstanding facilities are important, but what makes us truly different is the genuine interest we show in our guests. Our desire is to help guests make the most of their time. We connect our well-travelled guests to what's special about a destination, by sharing our knowledge so they enjoy authentic experiences that will enrich their lives and broaden their outlook. For more information, visit www.intercontinental.com and www.intercontinentalvideo.com.

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. It reaches more than 370 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 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy.

Part of the Research, Conservation, and Exploration Division of National Geographic Mission Programs, the Center for Sustainable Destinations promotes geotourism as its core strategy for helping to protect the world's distinctive places through wisely managed tourism and enlightened destination stewardship. For more information, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable/.

LIPTON® TEA CONTINUES MAJOR EXPANSION OF GROUNDBREAKING SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

2009-06-09

NEW YORK (June 9, 2009)—Lipton Tea, which has long been an industry pioneer in sustainable agriculture practices and social responsibility, is undertaking a major expansion of its long-term commitment to sustainability. Starting this spring, select Lipton Tea products bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal will be available for the first time on grocery store shelves in the United States. The brand is also launching today an integrated partnership with National Geographic Global Media to highlight the social, economic and environmental benefits of Lipton's sustainability practices.

"Lipton has long been dedicated to bringing the sustainable sourcing of tea into the global mainstream," said Christine Durkin, brand director, Lipton Tea. "As the world's biggest and best known tea brand, we've had a strong commitment to the tea products we make, the tea growers we rely on, and the tea drinkers we serve. All three are set to benefit greatly by the industry-changing work we're doing in sustainability. This is an important initiative not only for us, but for the entire tea industry. We wanted to share this groundbreaking work in a compelling and unique way, and we have found the ideal partner in National Geographic."

In 2007, Lipton set out to lead the industry by committing to purchase all of its tea from sustainable, ethical sources. Since then, it has been working with the Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit conservation organization that works around the world to develop and promote sustainable standards in farming, forestry and travel, to certify as sustainable all of the tea estates that supply its tea. Lipton products bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal will soon be available on store shelves nationwide, including select bagged tea products and Lipton PureLeaf ready-to-drink tea. The brand's long-term goal is to have all of the tea for its tea bags globally sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified estates by 2015. Although Lipton expects to pay a higher price for tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified estates, the price will not change for consumers — reflecting the brand's belief that all products should be made sustainable.

To mark the launch of Rainforest Alliance Certified products in the United States, Lipton is also partnering with National Geographic to create custom content documenting the brand's journey and commitment to sustainability. The content, created by National Geographic, includes still photography as well as four videos produced by National Geographic Digital Media featuring National Geographic Television journalist Boyd Matson, who traveled to Kenya this spring to document the sustainability practices of the Lipton Tea Estate in Kericho.

The custom content will be included in a National Geographic online community at www.nationalgeographic.com/lipton. It also will be distributed on a number of National Geographic platforms, such as the National Geographic Channel, Facebook, Twitter, print, direct marketing and customized Nat Geo Mobile iPhone game applications, along with Liptont.com.

"Lipton's commitment to sustainability is impressive," said Shannon Hebert, vice president, National Geographic Global Media. "We are pleased to leverage the strength of National Geographic's integrated multimedia platforms to extend Lipton's message to our audience in engaging and relevant ways."

Lipton Tea
Lipton Tea, the world's leading tea brand, is available in more than 180 countries worldwide. With more than 100 years of tasting, buying and blending expertise, Lipton Tea provides today's health-conscious consumer with a variety of convenient, great-tasting, healthy tea products — from hot tea to ready-to-drink to ice tea mixes. Lipton Tea is owned by Unilever [NYSE: UL, UN], one of the world's largest consumer products companies. For more information, visit Liptont.com.

Unilever
Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs nearly 12,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico — generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2008. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.

The National Geographic Society
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. It reaches more than 360 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 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

The Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international conservation organization with 20 years experience in the development and promotion of sustainable standards in farming, forestry and tourism. Rainforest Alliance certification is a sustainable farm management program that teaches farmers how to farm in a way that protects the environment and respects workers and their communities. To achieve Rainforest Alliance certification, farms must meet comprehensive standards covering environment, ethics and economics. Farms must commit to a process of continuous improvement in order to maintain their certification and are audited each year to ensure progress is being made. For further information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

AFTER 75 YEARS, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURE SOLVES MYSTERY OF LOST EXPLORER

2009-04-30

NEW YORK (April 30, 2009)--In a joint announcement today with National Geographic Adventure magazine, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder released the results of a DNA test that positively identifies the remains of famed explorer and artist Everett Ruess, who disappeared in 1934, solving a mystery that has baffled law enforcement for more than 75 years.

Dr. Kenneth Krauter, professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, presented test results that compared the DNA of a femur found in the Utah desert to saliva samples taken from four of Ruess's nieces and nephews, the closest living relatives. The test examined the inheritance of some 600,000 markers using gene chips from the Affymetrix Corporation and found that the saliva samples and the DNA extracted from the femur share approximately 25 percent of those markers by inheritance. Nieces and nephews are expected to hold about one-quarter of their genetic markers in common with an aunt or uncle. The test provides essentially irrefutable evidence of a close blood relationship between the Ruess family DNA and the bone DNA. Subsequent tests comparing the bone DNA with 50 unrelated people confirmed the results, with considerably less than 1 percent of markers shared in this way.

"This was a textbook case," said Krauter. "We had a large number of markers and, when comparing the bone DNA and the Ruess samples, the mode of inheritance of those markers was exactly what you'd expect for the relationship between an uncle and a niece or nephew."

The DNA confirmation is the capstone of a yearlong investigation by National Geographic Adventure magazine and its contributing editor David Roberts. Ruess, a writer, artist and icon of the American Southwest, was last seen near Davis Gulch in Utah in 1934. Since his disappearance, at age 20, scores of searchers have canvassed the area, and his legend has grown to rival that of other lost American explorers, such as Amelia Earhart. In 1942 author Wallace Stegner took measure of Ruess, comparing him to a young John Muir, and in 1996 Jon Krakauer devoted 10 pages of "Into the Wild" to Ruess. The complete story of Ruess, his disappearance and the discovery of his gravesite appears in the April/May 2009 issue of National Geographic Adventure, currently on newsstands.

The key to breaking the case came from an unlikely source: Denny Bellson, a traditional Navajo, who was unaware of the Ruess mystery prior to helping to solve it. In May 2008 Bellson's sister, Daisy Johnson, relayed a story her grandfather had told her of a young Anglo who was murdered in the Utah desert. Bellson found the site soon after.

The grave was excavated by Ron Maldonado, the Navajo Nation's supervisory archaeologist, and -- with permission from the family -- the remains were handed off to forensic anthropologists at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The anthropologists, Dr. Dennis Van Gerven, professor of anthropology at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and his graduate student assistant, Paul Sandberg, used fragments of skeleton to create a biological profile of the victim.

"The shape of the pelvis told us that the individual was male," Sandberg reports in the April/May issue of National Geographic Adventure. "The degree of developmental maturity of the bones told us that he was between the ages of 19 and 22."

The anthropologists stabilized the fragile bone pieces, which were sun-bleached and eroded after decades of exposure, and painstakingly rebuilt a portion of the skull. They then superimposed an image of the remade skull on photographs of Everett Ruess taken in 1933, shortly before his disappearance. "The bones match the photo in every last detail," Van Gerven said after finishing the analysis. "Even down to the spacing between his teeth."

The results of the DNA test not only confirm the forensic work of Van Gerven and Sandberg but validate Navajo oral tradition. "If this were going before a court of law, you'd want to build a case," said Van Gerven. "That's what we've done here, with Navajo oral tradition, the forensic analysis and now the DNA test. We can be certain that this is Ruess."

The investigative team also included Matt McQueen, assistant professor, Institute of Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado at Boulder; and Helen Marshall, research assistant, molecular, cellular and developmental biology, University of Colorado at Boulder.

National Geographic Adventure, winner of four National Magazine Awards, is the fastest-growing magazine in the outdoor category and the ultimate guide to the adventure lifestyle. Published eight times a year, with a rate base of 625,000, National Geographic Adventure has 2.5 million readers. It is available by subscription (800-NGS-LINE) and on newsstands in the United States ($4.99) and Canada ($6.99). Its editorial mission supports National Geographic's global mission to inspire people to care about the planet. The magazine's Web site is www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure.

National Geographic Response to Sweepstakes Scam by Guardian Financial Claim Services and Others

2009-03-04

NGS has recently received calls and emails by people who have received letters from Guardian Financial Claim Services, Global Financial Claim Services, and Alliance Financial Claim Services claiming that they are winners of a National Geographic sweepstakes. The letter asks them to call a number and cash an enclosed check. This is a scam and National Geographic has no involvement or relationship with any of the people or companies named in the letter. Please do not cash the check or give the company listed in the letter any personal information of any kind. We have referred this matter to the US Department of Justice fraud division.

If you have been a victim of this scam, one recourse is to file a complaint with the FTC through their website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/phonefraud/sweepstakes.shtml or by calling 1-877-382-4357. The FTC does not resolve individual consumer disputes, however your complaint, comment or inquiry can help the FTC detect patterns of law violations which can lead to investigations and prosecutions by law enforcement. Additionally, each complaint that the FTC receives is stored in an online database used by thousands of civil and criminal law enforcement authorities worldwide.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION APPOINTS AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER MARK WILD DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2009-03-03

WASHINGTON (March 3, 2009)—National Geographic Television (NGT) President Michael Rosenfeld announced today the hire of key industry figure Mark Wild as director of international development. Based in London, Wild will oversee development of international coproductions and partnerships for NGT. In this role he will develop television specials and series with independent producers based outside North America, and work with global broadcast partners to create commissions that meet their programming needs. He will report to Maryanne Culpepper, executive vice president, editorial and new business development.

"Mark's extensive experience in television and film production, combined with his love for exploration, will be extremely beneficial to NGT as we build strong partnerships globally while expanding production both domestically and internationally," said Rosenfeld. "With Mark in place, we are well positioned to create lasting relationships with our broadcast partners while bringing them new talent and new stories based on local knowledge and their specific programming needs."

Previously, Wild served as director of production and development for Animal Planet International and was responsible for the network's series "Meerkat Manor," which won the Panda Award for most popular program at Wildscreen 2008. He also served as commissioning editor at Animal Planet, where he was responsible for approximately 160 hours of unique programming throughout the U.K., Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America regions — including series such as "Going Ape," "Farm Life" and "Creatures Like Us," as well as stand-alones such as "Russian Tiger" and "Daniel and Our Cats."

"I enjoy working with interesting people, creating compelling stories and bringing insight to the world around us, so I am very excited to translate my passion for nature and adventure into compelling programming for National Geographic," said Wild. "I look forward to creating culturally diverse content for broadcasters and to use this powerful medium to continue inspiring people to care about the planet."

An accomplished explorer and documentary filmmaker, Wild has received numerous accolades for his documentaries. His long list of films includes "Temple of the Tigers," "Tiger Zero," "Gorilla, Gorilla," "Ocean Voyagers," which won the Nature Award at the Jules Verne Festival in 2008, and "Crime Scene Wild," which won the Best Environment Program award at the 2007 Jackson Hole Festival.

About National Geographic Television
National Geographic Television (NGT) is the documentary TV production arm of the National Geographic Society (NGS), known around the world for its remarkable visuals and compelling stories. NGS is one of the largest global scientific and educational organizations, supporting field science on every continent and providing NGT with unparalleled access to developing stories around the world. In 1963 NGT broke ground by broadcasting on American network television the first moving pictures from the summit of Everest. Since then, NGT has continued to push technology to its limits to bring great stories to television audiences worldwide. With 129 Emmy Awards and nearly 1,000 other industry accolades, NGT programming can be seen globally on the National Geographic Channel, as well as terrestrial and other cable and satellite broadcasters worldwide through international sales by National Geographic Television International, and on U.S. public television stations.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ANNOUNCES ITS EMERGING EXPLORERS FOR 2009

2009-02-03

WASHINGTON (Feb. 3, 2009)—Ten visionary, young trailblazers from around the world — including an epidemiologist, an aquatic ecologist, a geo-archaeologist, an ethnobotanist and an urban planner — have been named to the 2009 class of National Geographic Emerging Explorers.

National Geographic's Emerging Explorers Program recognizes and supports uniquely gifted and inspiring adventurers, scientists, photographers and storytellers making a significant contribution to world knowledge through exploration while still early in their careers. The Emerging Explorers each receive a $10,000 award to assist with research and to aid further exploration. PNY Technologies is a presenting sponsor of the Emerging Explorers Program and a National Geographic Mission Partner for Exploration & Adventure. The program is made possible in part by the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation, which has supported the program since its inception in 2004.

The 2009 Emerging Explorers are urban planner Thomas Taha Rassam Culhane, currently a UCLA Ph.D. student living between Essen, Germany, and Cairo, Egypt; ethnobotanist Grace Gobbo of Tanzania; geo-archaeologist Beverly Goodman, currently of Hebrew University of Jerusalem; zoologist Kristofer Helgen of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History; conservationist Shafqat Hussain of Pakistan; wildlife biologist and conservationist Malik Marjan of Sudan, currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; behavioral ecologist Katsufumi Sato of the University of Tokyo, Japan; aquatic ecologist and biogeochemist Katey Walter of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; cultural anthropologist and media ecologist Michael Wesch of Kansas State University; and epidemiologist Nathan Wolfe of Stanford University.

The new Emerging Explorers are introduced in the February 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine. A Web feature at http://www.nationalgeographic.com/emerging includes comprehensive profiles of the explorers and their activities.

National Geographic Emerging Explorers may be selected from virtually any field, from the Society's traditional arenas of anthropology, archaeology, photography, space exploration, earth sciences, mountaineering and cartography to the worlds of art, music and filmmaking.

"National Geographic's mission is to inspire people to care about the planet, and our Emerging Explorers are outstanding young leaders whose endeavors further this mission. We are pleased to support them as they set out on promising careers. They represent tomorrow's Edmund Hillarys, Jacques Cousteaus and Dian Fosseys," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president for Mission Programs.

Thomas Culhane is an urban planner whose Egyptian nongovernmental organization Solar CITIES trains residents in Cairo's poorest neighborhoods how to build and install rooftop solar water heaters and other renewable energy, water and waste management systems. More than 30 solar tanks now dot the rooftops of Coptic Christian and Islamic neighborhoods. "I divide my time between the two to bring them together," Culhane says. He began his career, after graduating from Harvard in biological anthropology and spending a year doing rain forest research in Borneo, working as a science writer. He also taught science in inner-city Los Angeles schools and did workshops across the United States, sharing his methods for "bringing the science textbook to life." He taught similar workshops at the American University in Cairo and the Wadi Environmental Science Center. Culhane currently lives in Essen, Germany, where he is completing his Ph.D. for UCLA, but he spends part of the year in Cairo and in California, working on renewable energy multimedia projects and traveling to developing countries to learn appropriate emerging technologies that can be adapted to Egyptian informal communities.

Grace Gobbo is a Tanzanian ethnobotanist with the Jane Goodall Institute's Greater Gombe Ecosystem Program. Her specific interest is in medicinal plants and traditional healing practices. For centuries, medicinal plants used by traditional healers have been at the heart of health care in Tanzania, where expensive imported pharmaceuticals are unaffordable for most of the population. But today, the rain forest landscape where many of the plants are found and indigenous medical knowledge are disappearing. Gobbo hopes her efforts to preserve natural remedies and native habitat will help reverse this trend. She has interviewed more than 80 traditional healers near her hometown of Kigoma, who have shared information on using plants to treat such ailments as skin and chest infections, stomach ulcers, diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and even cancer. Gobbo has recorded the information, with notes and photographs of the plants and their uses, into a computer database. She also hopes to create a cultural center and reintroduce and re-energize Tanzanian youth about indigenous culture, crafts and knowledge such as traditional healing.

Beverly Goodman is a geo-archaeologist from the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who studies sediment cores from underwater archaeological sites, using clues from ancient tsunami events to help predict and avert future coastal disasters. She blends skills from archaeology, geology and anthropology to explore the complex ways nature and humans interact on coastlines. The physical evidence she and her team of research divers collect and analyze helps reveal the causes and frequency of tsunamis, and the answers can help forecast and monitor dangerous events along coastlines. Goodman's fieldwork centers in Caesarea, Israel, where Herod the Great built a massive harbor at the end of the first century B.C. Her team's findings prove that a tsunami struck the harbor sometime in the first or second century A.D. and likely contributed to its destruction. She plans to perform excavations throughout the Mediterranean, gathering and studying core samples from several offshore archaeological sites, seeking to show a pattern of tsunami activity across the region.

Kristofer Helgen is curator of mammals for the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, overseeing the world's largest collection of mammals. During his fieldwork and his travels around the globe, this zoologist has discovered about 100 species of mammals previously unknown to science; some 25 have been confirmed to date in published scientific papers. Describing this wealth of overlooked biodiversity forms the core of his research program and also helps shape conservation efforts worldwide. His search for new species has plunged him into the wild on almost every continent, but about three times as many new finds are made within the walls of museums. "Collections are built up over centuries," he says. "It's virtually impossible to fully interpret that wealth of material. Every day brings surprises." Among the species Helgen has discovered are marsupials, rodents, bats and the first new species of carnivore from the Americas in several decades.

Shafqat Hussain is an environmentalist who uses an innovative self-funding insurance plan to help local Pakistani economies and the endangered snow leopard survive and thrive together. Snow leopards high on the Himalaya, where the economy relies on herding, attack village goats and sheep. Communities would retaliate by killing the cats, already under huge threat because their pelts are prized in the illegal fur trade. Concern for the local economy and for an extraordinary species in peril led Hussain to create Project Snow Leopard. This low-cost insurance program compensates herders for every animal killed by a snow leopard, stabilizing the economy and deterring the killing of these cats. The system requires herders to pay a small premium for every animal they own and includes strong incentives to prevent cheating. Villagers use surplus funds to build water supply schemes, upgrade schools, construct bridges and make other community improvements. Five thousand people in 10 villages now participate in the ever expanding project, and about 50 snow leopards benefit from the plan's protection — approximately one-fifth of the entire species left in Pakistan.

Malik Marjan is a Sudanese wildlife biologist and conservationist. When civil war engulfed southern Sudan in 1983, nearly all conservation work ceased. Marjan returned to his country from the U.K. with a master's degree in conservation biology and joined a team of fewer than 10 people who were involved in wildlife and forestry at the time. They formed the New Sudan Wildlife Conservation Organization in Boma and started fieldwork to count wildlife. Marjan's initial field data provided critical information about wildlife populations and distribution and the war's impact. He worked with National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Mike Fay and Paul Elkan, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society Southern Sudan Program, to plan and execute the 2007 aerial survey that transformed the world's view of wildlife in the region. They witnessed staggering amounts of white-eared kob antelope and huge numbers of other antelope believed to be extinct in the area. In all, they confirmed more than 1.2 million antelope and gazelle — a massive and previously unknown migration that could be the largest on Earth. Marjan currently divides his time between fieldwork in Sudan and at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he is a Ph.D. candidate.

Katsufumi Sato is a behavioral ecologist with the University of Tokyo's Ocean Research Institute, who unravels mysteries of animal behavior in the wild by attaching state-of-the-art data recorders to aquatic wildlife and seabirds and analyzing the surprising results. Electronic animal-borne recorders were introduced in the 1990s, and today animal-borne cameras also record photos and video as well as data. This rapidly changing technology has been tested and improved over the years by Sato, who has worked to perfect the instruments, miniaturize them and find better ways to attach and harness them. The latest instruments give ecologists a bounty of new facts to guide wildlife management and habitat conservation efforts. Sato compares and analyzes information gathered by students in the field. His recent comparison of seabirds, penguins, seals and sperm whales revealed that animals ranging from just 18 ounces to 30 tons all cruise at the same speed. "It seems to show there is an optimal speed and style of swimming for all aquatic animals," he says. He hopes to expand his comparisons to include all species, searching for links among land, water and airborne animals that may even explain aspects of evolution itself.

Katey Walter, an aquatic ecologist and biogeochemist at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks' Water and Environmental Research Center, studies how the greenhouse gas methane, released from thawing arctic permafrost, can dramatically affect global warming. She estimates that permafrost holds up to 950 billion tons of carbon. As it thaws, 50 billion tons of methane could enter the atmosphere from Siberian lakes alone — 10 times more methane than the atmosphere holds right now. "Since methane traps heat so efficiently, temperatures will rise higher and faster," she says. Methane also spreads rapidly in the atmosphere, circling the globe in just one year. Walter's research in Alaska and Siberia explores this dangerous self-perpetuating cycle: thawing permafrost caused by global warming releases methane, which contributes to global warming. Her data feed into scientific models that help predict global warming and ultimately inspire ideas to reduce it. Walter is also looking for ways to harness methane as an alternative energy source for rural arctic villages.

Michael Wesch is a cultural anthropologist and media ecologist at Kansas State University, who explores the impact of social media and digital technology on society and culture. After two years studying the impact of writing on a remote indigenous culture in the rain forest of Papua New Guinea, he has turned his attention to studying the ways new media and Web technology change how we connect and communicate on a personal and global level. He says the power of technology today to change our relationships and culture is unprecedented. The Web allows us to connect with others in ways we have never connected before, and anthropology, which explores connections, can play a key role in understanding it. He believes a culture transformed by digital media may require fundamental revisions in education, and to that end he has introduced a number of non-traditional teaching techniques, most notably his World Simulation, where each student in a class becomes an expert on a specific aspect of a culture, and together they design a complex world. Wesch's videos on technology, education, and information have been viewed by millions, translated in over 10 languages and featured at international film festivals and major academic conferences worldwide.

Nathan Wolfe is an epidemiologist who fights worldwide disease pandemics with an unprecedented early-warning system to forecast, pinpoint and control new plagues before they kill millions. He is the Lorey I. Lokey Visiting Professor in Human Biology at Stanford University and the director of the Global Viral Forecasting Initiative. His survey of diseases that have historically had the greatest impact on humanity revealed that most started with animals. Based on this, he created a global network of sites in viral hot spots where people are highly exposed to animals and are most at risk for early infection when viruses leap from animals to humans. He and his colleagues work to spot viruses as soon as they surface by collecting and cataloguing blood samples, surveying wild animals, scanning urban blood banks and documenting the transfer and distribution on disease. His data gleaned from a dozen field sites in Cameroon, China, Malaysia and other countries have led to the discovery of several previously unknown retroviruses, notably simian foamy, a primate virus with which hundreds of thousands of people worldwide may be infected.

National Geographic's Emerging Explorers are part of the Society's Explorers Program, which includes 13 Explorers-in-Residence and seven National Geographic Fellows.

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. It reaches more than 325 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; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

About PNY Technologies Inc.
Established in 1985, PNY Technologies® Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of memory upgrade modules, high capacity flash memory cards, solid state drives, USB flash drives, as well as consumer and professional workstation graphics cards. The company's photography, mobility, 3D gaming and business solutions are widely available from major retail, e-tail and wholesale outlets internationally. Headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., PNY maintains facilities in North America (Santa Clara and Orange County, Calif., Miami, Fla., and Parsippany, N.J.), Europe (Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom,) Asia (Taiwan and China) and Latin America. For more information, visit www.pny.com.

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NOTE: Images of the 2009 National Geographic Emerging Explorers are available at the ftp site http://ftp.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/emerging_explorers_09/.
username: press
password: press

NAT GEO MUSIC SIGNS EXCLUSIVE GLOBAL PUBLISHING DEAL WITH KOBALT MUSIC GROUP

2009-01-21

CANNES (Jan. 19, 2009)--National Geographic Entertainment has entered into an exclusive relationship between its music division Nat Geo Music (www.natgeomusic.net) and leading independent global music publisher Kobalt Music Group. Kobalt will globally represent Nat Geo Music's catalog and provide full-service music publishing administration, including registration of copyrights with performance societies. National Geographic's music library contains more than 16,000 original music cues, including the organization's iconic theme song.

The announcement was made today by David Beal, president of National Geographic Entertainment, and Willard Ahdritz, CEO and founder of Kobalt.

"We think that Kobalt is uniquely positioned to complement Nat Geo Music and maximize revenue potential for our rich catalog of copyrights. Kobalt's customized services and state-of-the-art Next Generation Portal will allow us to be completely involved in the process of copyright management, royalty tracking and analysis," said Beal.

"David Beal's strategy for developing Nat Geo Music is very exciting. We are very happy to be a part of that vision by taking Nat Geo Music's film and TV administration to a new level using new technology on a global basis," added Ahdritz.

Additionally, Kobalt's film and TV departments and agents worldwide will work closely with Jeff Clyburn, a director at Nat Geo Music, to generate new revenue streams and secure synchronization opportunities for Nat Geo Music through uses in motion picture, TV, advertising and other media.

Since the 1960s National Geographic has created thousands of hours of some of the finest documentary television and motion pictures. Nat Geo Music, formed in 2006 under the direction of Beal, has expanded to include not only the music publishing catalog but also a growing music production library, music supervision services, full-service record label, live events, an international music and lifestyle cable channel, a world music Web site and original network programming.

Nat Geo Music's 24/7 television channel broadcasts throughout Europe, Latin America and Africa and features a mix of music videos and concerts from top international artists and original programming, such as "Geo Sessions," an exclusive concert and interview series; "Short Trips," mini-docs that explore the intersection between music and culture; and "UNTZ," a Friday night dance block that features the best dance music from all over the world.

About Nat Geo Music
Nat Geo Music content and product offerings celebrate cultural diversity and raise awareness for global environmental and humanitarian issues. Content developed by Nat Geo Music is utilized across all National Geographic platforms, including online media, radio, print media, film and television. Nat Geo Music programs music from every corner of the planet and includes global legends, local stars and upcoming artists such as Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Youssou N'Dour, Jack Johnson, Natacha Atlas, Cesaria Evora, Angelique Kidjo, Caetano Veloso, Compay Segundo, Gilberto Gil, Omara Portuondo, Marisa Monte and Manu Chao.

About Kobalt Music Group
Kobalt is a leading independent music publisher offering unparalleled transparency, online global copyright administration, creative and synch/licensing services, and advances to writers, publishers and other publishing rights holders. With 70 employees in offices in London, New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Berlin and Stockholm, as well as agents in over 20 major territories, Kobalt administers more than 140,000 copyrights worldwide on behalf of over 800 content holders, including the world's top songwriters, artists and other music publishers. Kobalt clients include Gwen Stefani, Kid Rock, Danja, Dr. Luke, Ryan "Alias" Tedder, Max Martin, Moby, Interpol, Barry Manilow, Desmond Child, Dennis Matkosky, Gary Burr, The Hives, 8 Mile Style (publisher of Eminem), Bridgeport Music (publisher of Parliament Funkadelic & George Clinton), EverGreen Copyrights, Music Publishing Company of America, Crosstown Songs, Big Life, Richard Ashcroft, Shelly Peiken, Nine Inch Nails, Herbert Grönemeyer, among many others. Kobalt's online system, the Kobalt Next Generation Portal, is in its third version and offers clients the ability to take pipeline advances online, uniquely analyze and track royalties, and be completely involved in the process of managing copyrights.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GLOBAL MEDIA LAUNCHES INTERACTIVE PLATFORMS GROUP

2009-01-06

WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2009)—Ted Prince, chief operating officer of National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and executive vice president of operations for National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), today announced the formation of the National Geographic Interactive Platforms Group, a division that unites National Geographic's Games, Mobile and Maps businesses. Interactive Platforms will leverage National Geographic's award-winning content, cartography, creative resources and brands to create new interactive consumer experiences and franchises across multiple platforms to further extend the Society's mission of inspiring people to care about the planet.

Paul Levine, NGV's senior vice president, corporate strategy and development, will serve as senior vice president of the Interactive Platforms Group and lead the new global division. "The formation of the Interactive Platforms Group underscores our commitment to providing compelling consumer experiences on multiple platforms and devices," said Prince. "Paul led the successful launch of our Mobile and Games businesses last year and has successfully orchestrated a reorganization of the Maps business. His expertise and strategic thinking will be crucial as we extend our global mission through cross-platform initiatives."

Interactive Platforms' products and services will help the National Geographic brand to remain relevant to a new generation of consumers. The division also will further diversify National Geographic's business into new revenue models such as subscriptions, applications, micro-transactions and e-commerce.

"Each month, over a billion people around the globe actively play games, connect and share via mobile applications, and use digital and print mapping products to entertain, enrich and inform themselves," said Levine. "Through the Interactive Platforms Group, we will engage these audiences with our unique brand through an array of rich, multi-platform experiences."

National Geographic Ventures is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the National Geographic Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. NGV, part of the National Geographic Global Media editorial group, includes National Geographic Television production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, Digital Media (including Nationalgeographic.com) and National Geographic Interactive Platforms Group, comprising the Mobile, Gaming and Maps business groups. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media, providing outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year. For more information, go to www.nationalgeographic.com.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC AND WORLDWIDE RETAIL STORE TO LAUNCH FIRST ASIAN FLAGSHIP STORE IN SINGAPORE

2008-12-12

SINGAPORE (Dec. 12, 2008)--National Geographic and Barcelona-based Worldwide Retail Store SL have chosen Singapore as the site of the Society's first flagship store in Asia. Opening on Sunday, Dec. 14, the store in Singapore's Vivo City will be National Geographic's second global experiential space, following the launch of its store in London last month.

One of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, National Geographic has a rich 120-year heritage of inspiring people to care about the planet through its media offerings, education and research programs. The Asian store will bring together the Society's exclusive products and services in a constantly evolving, highly immersive and culturally inspired setting.

The store will be geared toward amateur explorers, travel enthusiasts, adventure seekers and environmentalists -- a rapidly growing segment of Singapore's population, as shown by a recent study that indicated a nearly 10 percent increase in overseas travel among Singaporeans from 2006 to 2007.

The Singapore store opening builds on the success of National Geographic's strong subscriber base for its media products, with National Geographic Channel available in more than 56 million homes in Asia Pacific and more than 100,000 readers of its magazines in Singapore.

Located at Vivo City, Singapore's largest shopping mall in the vibrant HarbourFront precinct, the new National Geographic store is designed to appeal to Singaporeans' taste for adventure and diverse cultures. More than a traditional retail environment, the 1,500-square- metre (16,146-square-foot) store will feature a retail marketplace, exhibition space and unique "experience zones" for multisensory activities designed to stimulate, educate and inspire visitors.

The exhibition hall will display a rotating showcase of curated exhibits, inspired by content from National Geographic's international channels, magazines and mission-oriented projects. The marketplace will feature a wide selection of National Geographic media products featuring its award-winning content as well as newly created branded merchandise and sustainable, unique, hand-crafted items sourced from global artisans.

The store will feature items produced, sourced or selected by National Geographic. Key product lines include National Geographic's Rugged Basic, International Traveler and Explorer Gear clothing lines and accessories; casual and expedition-style footwear; a full range of optics, from eyewear and binoculars to telescopes and cameras; journals, calendars and other stationery products; maps, atlases and guidebooks; watches; home furnishings and dėcor, with a special emphasis on reclaimed wood pieces; and a wide selection of children's products.

In addition, National Geographic will regularly organise public lectures by some of its most renowned explorers, authors and photographers, as well as free film screenings at Vivo City's outdoor amphitheatre, providing education and entertainment for young and old and for travelers and armchair explorers.

John Fahey, National Geographic's president and CEO, said: "Our goal is to inspire people to care about the planet, and our strategy is to continually find new and exciting ways to reach and engage the public. We're excited about these new retail environments and see them as a perfect complement to our media expansion efforts, which have been so successfully realized with our local-language magazines and our international channels. As a result of this exciting new partnership, National Geographic will be able to reach people in their communities on a more personal level and inspire them with fresh experiences."

The partnership grants Worldwide Retail Store an exclusive retail license for National Geographic stores in more than 80 countries outside the United States and will include flagship retail environments, airport stores and boutique offerings. Additional store openings are planned worldwide in 2009.

Pere Matamales, CEO of Worldwide Retail Store SL, said: "We are proud to partner with National Geographic, a great global brand with an unrivalled heritage and reputation. The stores and their carefully chosen product lines will appeal to both National Geographic's wide consumer base and a fast-growing group of environmentally aware shoppers. We are confident of the long-term growth potential of the Asian retail market. This marks our first retail investment in Singapore. We believe that Singapore, with its cosmopolitan, multicultural population and strong retail and tourism sectors, will be an excellent starting point to establish a strong retail presence and events hub for National Geographic in Asia."

National Geographic reaches 325 million people around the world each month through its magazines, television programmes, films, music and radio, books, DVDs, maps, exhibitions; school publishing programmes, interactive media and merchandise. National Geographic's net proceeds support the Society's exploration, conservation, research and education programmes.

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 National Geographic magazine, the Society's official journal, published in English and 31 local-language editions, is read by more than 40 million people each month. The National Geographic Channel reaches over 270 million households in 34 languages in 166 countries. National Geographic Digital Media receives more than 12 million visitors a month. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education programme combating geography illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

About Worldwide Retail Store
Worldwide Retail Store SL is a holding company based in Barcelona, with a paid-up capital of 27 million EURO, owned by the executive management team and by Spanish investors Casagrande de Cartagena SL, Riofisa and Allegra Holding. In a demonstration of commitment to the partnership, National Geographic also has a 5 percent stock option in Worldwide Retail Store.

For general enquiries, email opportunities@worldwideretailstore.com

CAFÉ BOM DIA AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO LAUNCH COFFEE PARTNERSHIP

2008-12-03

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2008)--Café Bom Dia, a fourth-generation, family-owned coffee company based in Brazil, announced today that it has partnered with National Geographic to launch Terra Firma™, a single-origin, specialty-grade, gourmet coffee crafted to emphasize environmental and cultural sustainability in coffee-farming communities. Sourced from six of the world's finest growing regions -- Brazil, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Sumatra and Kenya -- Terra Firma coffees will be available in early 2009 to purchasers in the food service and retail industries and to the public.

"We sought this partnership for Terra Firma to leverage Café Bom Dia's leadership in specialty coffee and sustainability with an internationally renowned organization trusted by millions to educate and inspire us about world cultures," said Sydney Marques De Paiva, CEO of Café Bom Dia. "With so many organizations looking beyond their own walls and seeking supply partners with similar values on environmental and cultural sustainability, Terra Firma meets a growing need."

"In carrying out our mission to inspire people to care about the planet, it is vital for National Geographic to partner with organizations that share similar values. Through its emphasis on sustainability and Fair Trade Certified™ growers, Bom Dia is an ideal partner for us as we venture into the specialty coffee market," said Krista Newberry, vice president, Licensing, for National Geographic.

All Terra Firma single-origin, specialty coffees will be Fair Trade Certified, an international third-party mark that guarantees direct trade, fair prices, environmental stewardship and investment in farming communities.

Terra Firma specialty coffee arrives at a time when consumers are increasingly using their purchasing power to support companies and products that meet their values for quality and regard for people and the environment. According to research conducted in 2008 by DYG on behalf of National Geographic, 57 percent of Americans say "being environmentally friendly" has a very strong or strong influence on their purchase decisions, and 41 percent actively shop for products for social, political or environmental reasons. The exponential growth of Fair Trade Certified product sales, from
$50 million to $500 million (2000 to 2006), demonstrates how consumers put their values into action through purchasing decisions.

National Geographic's net proceeds from Terra Firma coffee will support vital exploration, conservation, research and education programs of the Society.

About Café Bom Dia
Café Bom Dia is a fourth-generation, family-owned coffee company based in Brazil. Known for its "tree to shelf" supply chain, Café Bom Dia meets the strictest international certification standards for quality and food management (ISO 9001, 14001 and 22000). In 2007, Café Bom Dia converted its Brazil roaster to run on biomass instead of fossil fuel. Through that conversion, offsets and other environmentally sensitive reforms, Café Bom Dia has zero net carbon emissions and is a certified CarbonNeutral® company.

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. It reaches more than 325 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; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

Note: For product images, visit our FTP site at http://ftp.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/terra_firma

username: press
password: press

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LAUNCHES MOBILE DIVISION, NAMES AARON KOHN AS GENERAL MANAGER

2008-09-04

WASHINGTON (Sept. 4, 2008)—Ted Prince, COO of National Geographic Ventures (NGV) and executive vice president of operations for National Geographic Global (NGGM), today announced the formation of National Geographic Mobile to extend the company's core mission via mobile programming and games. Aaron Kohn will lead the global rollout of the division, serving as general manager, and will oversee the strategic direction, technology advancement and marketing developments for all National Geographic mobile initiatives. Kohn also serves as vice president of corporate strategy & development for NGGM and is responsible for the global development of new businesses and product strategy in support of NGGM's various business units.

"With the launch of National Geographic Mobile, we are pleased to partner with leading carriers and global handset manufacturers, aggregators and developers to share our library of award-winning photos, video and new properties. This is a great opportunity for us to leverage our wonderful assets and feed the growing demand from consumers who are looking for compelling, rich media content on their cell phones and for us to extend our mission globally," said Prince. "In addition, Aaron's expertise in business development and interactive entertainment coupled with his current role at NGGM will be a terrific resource for business partners seeking entertaining video, music, images and games designed for the mobile platform."

Recognized for its powerful videos and stunning photography, National Geographic will continue to license its library assets to a wide range of mobile handset manufacturers, aggregators, developers and carriers. Launching in October, National Geographic's Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) site will encompass all content optimized for mobile, including categories such as news, green, images, music and videos. All content will tie closely to features from National Geographic's award-winning magazines and Channel.

National Geographic will soon partner with PlayPhone to drive mobile content distribution online. The subscription-based service will allow consumers to download National Geographic wallpapers, ringtones, video and games through their personal computers to their phones.

"National Geographic Mobile brings our brand to a new digital platform, offering audiences the captivating video, images and sounds that only the National Geographic brand can deliver," said Kohn. "By leveraging our considerable assets, old and new audiences can now enjoy our content on the small screen."

Prior to National Geographic, Kohn spent a number of years at AOL and FOX, where he was responsible for product and business development and strategy for various units, including international, digital media, mobile, Web properties, and home video. He has more than 10 years of experience spanning the Internet, entertainment and consumer technology industries.

About National Geographic Ventures

National Geographic Ventures (NGV) is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the National Geographic Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. NGV includes National Geographic Television production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, National Geographic Films and National Geographic Giant Screen Films, Kids Entertainment, National Geographic Home Entertainment, National Geographic Music and Radio, National Geographic Mobile, National Geographic Games, Digital Media including Digital Motion (formerly the Film Library), Nationalgeographic.com and National Geographic Maps. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media providing outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year. For more information, go to www.nationalgeographic.com.

ALISON INDRISANO IS NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SCHOOL PUBLISHING

2008-08-07

WASHINGTON (Aug. 7, 2008)—Alison Indrisano has been appointed president and CEO of National Geographic School Publishing (NGSP), including Hampton-Brown, which it acquired in 2006. She will assume her position in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and will report to National Geographic Society President and CEO John Fahey and the NGSP board of directors.

"We are delighted that Alison will be heading our school publishing team," said Fahey. "She has a proven track record in educational leadership and a deeply rooted belief in the transformational power of learning."

"It is an exciting time to be joining National Geographic," said Indrisano. "National Geographic School Publishing and Hampton-Brown produce the highest-quality learning materials. I look forward to building on the rich history and success of the organization. Our goal is to reach even more students, teachers and parents with our curriculum materials and classroom magazines."

Indrisano joins National Geographic from Prometric, where she was chief operations officer. Prometric is a wholly owned subsidiary of ETS and the recognized global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services. She previously held executive positions in curriculum and product development at Peterson's, a division of Thomson Learning; Jostens Learning Corporation; and The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Indrisano takes over as head of NGSP from current CEO Sherry Long, the founder of Hampton-Brown, and Samuel Gesumaria, who has served as its president since 1997. Starting Sept. 2, Long will serve as chairman of the NGSP board of directors, and Gesumaria will serve as vice chairman. Long and Gesumaria will work closely with Indrisano and the NGSP team in Washington, D.C., Carmel, Calif., San Antonio and Evanston, Ill., through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

NGSP and Hampton-Brown publish a comprehensive range of pre-K to grade 12 language, literacy and content curriculum materials, in both English and Spanish — many designed with specialized strategies for striving readers and English language learners. At pre-K to grade 6, major program offerings include Avenues; Windows on Literacy; Reading Expeditions; and Language, Literacy & Vocabulary. Significant reading, writing and language materials at grades 6-12 include High Point and several brand new series: INSIDE Language, Literacy, and Content (grades 6-8); the Hampton-Brown Edge program (grades 9-12); The Good Writer's Kit; and The Good Reader's Kit.

National Geographic's award-winning classroom magazines, currently published in four editions — Young Explorer for grades K-1; Explorer (Pioneer edition for grades 2-3, Pathfinder edition for grades 4-6); and Extreme Explorer for grades 6-8 — are also important NGSP offerings.

Statement from National Geographic in Response to Thomas Bartlett's Chronicle of Higher Education story, "The Betrayal of Judas" (May 30, 2008)

2008-05-30

Thomas Bartlett's article "The Betrayal of Judas" in this week's issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education makes several serious and unfounded accusations against the National Geographic Society and omits pertinent facts that require comment and clarification.

Bartlett's article mischaracterizes the process by which the Gospel of Judas codex was translated. Contrary to the article's assertion, the translation took years (not months) to complete. Rather than a rushed job, it was a long and painstakingly careful process. In fact, the conservation and translation process had begun a full three years before National Geographic's involvement and was being overseen by Rodolphe Kasser, one of the world's pre-eminent Coptic scholars. Kasser brought in his colleague, also a leading Coptic scholar, Gregor Wurst of the University of Augsburg to assist. In 2004, National Geographic was approached for additional, critical resources so that Kasser and Wurst could complete the conservation and translation process. National Geographic underwrote the lengthy and painstaking assemblage and authentication process as well as the translation work.

As is typical in such cases, we suggested to Kasser that an additional layer of review, by outside experts, would be helpful. He agreed, and Francois Gaudard of the University of Chicago and Marvin Meyer of Chapman University were brought in to work with Kasser and Wurst to produce the consensus translation. At the same time, the Society assembled an advisory team of highly credentialed scholars and religious authorities, who reviewed and commented on the codex and advised the Society as to its importance, value and impact.

This part of the project took nearly a year, and all involved agreed that the work should be shared with the academic community as soon as practicable.

Curiously, we are now being criticized for being both too fast and too slow in releasing the codex. The fact is the document was released once the authentication process was complete and the translation team advised us that a consensus translation had been reached. Once those two conditions were met, we shared the initial results with the public and the academic community in a broad and expeditious manner. We said at the time, and reiterate now, that this was the beginning of a dialogue about what the text might mean, not the last word. We recognized that views were likely to change, and we have consistently encouraged respectful, global discourse.

While we welcome constructive debate, we take great exception to the mischaracterization of our motives and process. This was an enormously complex project, but hardly a "secret" in biblical circles. Kasser himself announced at a conference of biblical scholars in summer 2005 that he was working on the project. We moved to share the results as quickly as we could, but not before they were scrutinized by leading academics in the field. Circumstances were difficult. Reconstruction and conservation of the badly fragmented and crumbling document were underway until just before our announcement, as we wanted to release as complete a work as possible. The rigorous authentication process (radiocarbon dating, multispectral imaging, ink analysis, paleographic analysis and contextual evidence) was finalized just weeks before our announcement. Despite these obstacles, we shared the findings within two years of becoming involved in the project — far less time than lapsed between the discovery and published translations of such recently found ancient texts as the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Nag Hammadi.

To enable scholars and the public to make a full examination of the codex, last summer we published a critical edition of the Gospel of Judas, with full-color photographs of the original papyrus pages alongside the Coptic text and its consensus translation in English and French. A second edition of the gospel will be published this June that includes views by additional scholars that broaden the perspectives on the meaning and significance of the gospel. Our Web site also includes the entire codex in photographic form at 100 percent resolution.

Virtually all issues your article raises about translation choices are addressed in extensive footnotes in both the popular and critical editions of the gospel. Unfortunately, Thomas Bartlett chose to ignore that fact and instead gives much prominence to criticisms advanced by April DeConick. What Bartlett doesn't tell the reader is that DeConick's criticisms, which appeared in an op-ed piece in the New York Times in December 2007, were timed to coincide with the release of her own book about the Gospel of Judas.

As is the case in any translation, there can be differences of interpretation, word selection and nuance, and the Gospel of Judas is no exception. As interesting as word-by-word discussion is, such analysis should not be made without considering the context of the total piece and what the authors from so many centuries ago may have been trying to share.

National Geographic takes great pride in the role we have played in bringing this intriguing and important cultural artifact to world attention. We place much value on our reputation for scientific excellence and have always upheld the highest standards.

There is still much debate on the meaning of the text of the Gospel of Judas, as Bartlett makes clear in his article. It is our hope that the world continues to study this important work, and that the ongoing dialogue will be conducted with civility and mutual respect.

DATES FOR STONEHENGE BURIALS SIGNIFY LONG USE AS CEMETERY

2008-05-29

WASHINGTON (May 29, 2008) - New radiocarbon dates of human cremation burials at England's Stonehenge indicate that the monument was used as a cemetery from its inception just after 3000 B.C. until well after the large stones went up around 2500 B.C.

Many archaeologists previously believed that people had been buried at Stonehenge only between 2700 and 2600 B.C., before the large stones, known as sarsens, were put in place. The new dates provide strong clues about the original purpose of the monument and show that its use as a cemetery extended for more than 500 years.

"It's now clear that burials were a major component of Stonehenge in all its main stages," said Mike Parker Pearson, archaeology professor at the University of Sheffield (U.K.), who with National Geographic support leads the Stonehenge Riverside Archaeological Project. "Stonehenge was a place of burial from its beginning to its zenith in the mid third millennium B.C. The cremation burial dating to Stonehenge's sarsen stones phase is likely just one of many from this later period of the monument's use and demonstrates that it was still very much a 'domain of the dead.'"

The earliest cremation burial dated - a small pile of burned bones and teeth - came from one of the pits around Stonehenge's edge known as the Aubrey Holes and dates to 3030-2880 B.C., roughly the time when Stonehenge's ditch-and-bank monument was cut into Salisbury Plain. The second burial, from the ditch surrounding Stonehenge, is that of an adult and dates to 2930-2870 B.C. The most recent cremation, Parker Pearson said, comes from the ditch's northern side and was of a 25-year-old woman; it dates to 2570-2340 B.C., around the time the first arrangements of sarsen stones appeared at Stonehenge.

The work at Stonehenge is featured in the June 2008 issue of National Geographic magazine. An exclusive look at the new discoveries will appear in a global premiere on the National Geographic Channel - "Stonehenge Decoded" - on Sunday, June 1, (9 p.m. ET/PT in the U.S.; check local listings internationally). Stonehenge also is featured in the June/July 2008 issue of National Geographic Kids magazine.

This is the first time any of the cremation burials from Stonehenge have been radiocarbon dated. The burials dated by Parker Pearson's team were excavated in the 1950s and have been kept at the nearby Salisbury Museum.

Another 49 cremation burials were dug up at Stonehenge during the 1920s, but all were put back in the ground because they were thought to be of no scientific value. Archaeologists estimate that up to 240 people were buried within Stonehenge, all as cremation deposits.

Parker Pearson's colleague at Sheffield, Andrew Chamberlain, a specialist in ancient demography, theorizes that the cremation burials represent the natural deaths of a single elite family and its descendants, perhaps a ruling dynasty. One clue to this, Professor Chamberlain says, is the small number of burials in Stonehenge's earliest phase, a number that grows larger in subsequent centuries, as offspring would have multiplied.

Another is the graves' placement in such an impressive monumental site. "I don't think it was the common people getting buried at Stonehenge - it was clearly a special place at that time," Parker Pearson said. "One has to assume anyone buried there had some good credentials."

"The people buried here must have been drawn from a very small and select living population," he said. "Archaeologists have long speculated about whether Stonehenge was put up by prehistoric chiefs - perhaps even ancient royalty - and the new results suggest that not only is this likely to have been the case but it also was the resting place of their mortal remains."

Besides conducting the radiocarbon dating, this season the archaeologists also excavated houses at nearby Durrington Walls, precisely dated Stonehenge's cursus - the ditched enclosure that has long puzzled archaeologists - and made new discoveries about the "Cuckoo Stone" and timber monuments south of Woodhenge.

Much of the focus for the fifth year of the eight-year Stonehenge Riverside Project was at Durrington Walls, Stonehenge's sister henge some 2 miles away, which like most of the Stonehenge landscape is owned and managed by the National Trust. Parker Pearson believes Durrington was built to accommodate the living, in contrast to Stonehenge's more somber purpose as a monument to the dead.

Last year the project archaeologists announced the discovery in 2006 of a large seasonal village where Stonehenge's builders are thought to have lived some 4,600 years ago, grouped around a timber version of Stonehenge. This season (2007) the team excavated four of those houses that once sat on a hillside, one of them especially well-preserved. Excavation of it turned up a wall made of cobb - a mixture of broken chalk and chunky plaster - that is the oldest such wall found in Britain. The other houses were found to be mostly of wattle-and-daub construction.

In the well-preserved house, which measured 4.8 by 5.2 meters (about 16 feet square), researchers unearthed bits of Stone Age life - flint tools, the end of a broken-off dress pin and two teacup-sized pits in the house's corners containing tiny, sharp chippings of flint, apparently swept there by the residents. Imprints of beds and a dresser also were visible around the edges of the floor. In the house's center, by the remains of an oval-shaped hearth, two thick grooves are visible in the floor, "right in that part of the fire where the floor has been stained with ash," Parker Pearson reports. "Whoever was in charge of the housework and the cooking was kneeling there."

The team also uncovered several houses along a broad avenue that links Durrington Walls with the nearby River Avon. These were three-sided structures with fireplaces, Parker Pearson said, perhaps used by spectators at processions that once moved up and down the avenue to the river.

The season's work leads Parker Pearson to believe that Durrington Walls was made up of a large, circular village of more than 300 houses, making it the largest village of its time in northwest Europe. "We think that both men and women and presumably children were living there - everybody seemed to have been involved in the building of Stonehenge," he said.

Preliminary results of environmental analyses suggest this was a seasonal settlement. The absence of certain items, such as newborn pigs and cattle, together with archaeological evidence of culling of pigs in the midwinter period, suggest that people journeyed to the site with prepared foodstuffs and animals only at certain times of the year, Parker Pearson said.
New radiocarbon dates of an antler pick used for digging tell a story about the Stonehenge Greater Cursus, a cigar-shaped ditched enclosure nearly two miles long. The new date - 3630 to 3375 B.C. - puts the cursus 1,000 years before the erection of Stonehenge's sarsens. Archaeologist Julian Thomas of the University of Manchester in England, who led that investigation, says the cursus' two parallel ditches enclosed a linear space that might have been considered sacred. "Our excavation shows it's almost clean - no other animal bones or other deposits," Professor Thomas said. The exact purpose of the cursus is unknown.

On the same axis as the cursus, the Cuckoo Stone was the source of another of the season's revelations. The archaeologists, led by Colin Richards of the University of Manchester, found that the stone, a squat sarsen boulder that lies on its side, had originally come from that location, unlike many other stones at Stonehenge. In Neolithic times, the stone was placed vertically near special pits used for depositing items, according to Richards. "We find again and again that the antler picks used for digging - still perfectly usable - have been deliberately buried in pits as if for ritual," Parker Pearson said.

Along the cliff top south of the timber monument known as Woodhenge, archaeologists led by Joshua Pollard of the University of Bristol discovered two oval-fenced areas enclosing dramatic, monumental timber structures, each anchored by four large posts. "These obviously were not domestic buildings," Pollard said. "Their purpose is uncertain, but it's possible they supported raised platforms where bodies of the dead were left to decay."

"All in all, we're finding that Stonehenge was a sophisticated society with great achievements," Parker Pearson said. "I doubt they realized they would create such a great mystery for the world to come."

The Stonehenge Riverside Project is funded by the National Geographic Society and Britain's Arts & Humanities Research Council, with support from English Heritage. Directors of the Project include Mike Parker Pearson (Sheffield), Julian Thomas (Manchester), Joshua Pollard (Bristol), Colin Richards (Manchester), Chris Tilley, University College London, and Kate Welham, University of Bournemouth.

More on Stonehenge can be viewed at www.nationalgeographic.com/stonehenge.

A short-form video on these discoveries is available from nationalgeographic.com and can be embedded on your Web site. To do so, please contact Barbara Moffet at (202) 857-7756.