TOUTI is connected to a growing network of National Geographic Explorers whose work highlights the ecological, cultural, and community value of trees around the world. These Explorers bring expertise in forest conservation, restoration, ethnobotany, climate resilience, Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and storytelling. Through TOUTI, their projects and perspectives help build a broader resource hub for understanding how trees shape landscapes, livelihoods, histories, and human well-being across different regions.
Meet the Explorers
Christian Ziegler
Geographic region: Tropical forests
Topic of study: Natural history, forest ecology, and storytelling
Nicolas Zuël
Geographic region: Mauritius
Topic of study: Forest restoration and biodiversity conservation
Felix Finkbeiner
Geographic region: Global
Topic of study: Global forest restoration and climate justice
Poppy Lakeman Fraser
Geographic region: United Kingdom
Topic of study: Nature-based connection and citizen science
Tin Hang (Henry) Hung
Geographic region: United Kingdom
Topic of study: Tree climate adaptation and local tree histories
Ellen Whitman
Geographic region: Canada
Topic of study: Forest fires and climate change
Antonio Rodríguez
Geographic region: Mexico
Topic of study: Oak conservation and forest biodiversity
Nirupa Rao
Geographic region: India
Topic of study: Botanical illustration and art-science communication
Angelo F. Bernardino
Geographic region: Brazil
Topic of study: Mangrove trees and costal ecosystems
Tarin Toledo-Aceves
Geographic region: Mexico
Topic of study: Forest restoration, epiphytes, and assisted migration
Silvia Alvarez-Clare
Geographic region: Central America, Mexico
Topic of study: Climate change and forest policy
Patrick Roberts
Geographic region: Tropical Forests
Topic of study: Human land use and tropical forest change
Mark Olson
Geographic region: Mexico
Topic of study: Tree physiology, forest canopy, and the cultural value of trees
William Olupot
Geographic region: Uganda
Topic of study:Forest and woodland biodiversity restoration and conservation
Mary Helen Gagen
Geographic region: United Kingdom
Topic of study: Tree rings and forest climate change
Gretchen Christina Coffman
Geographic region: United States and Asia
Topic of study: Community-based restoration
Alfredo Di Filippo
Geographic region: Italy
Topic of study: Old-growth forest ecology and tree conservation
Cyril F. Kormos
Geographic region: Europe
Topic of study: Global primary forest protection and biocultural diversity
Robert Puschendorf
Geographic region: Costa Rica
Topic of study: Community mangrove conservation
Jean Linsky
Geographic region: Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia
Topic of study: Dipterocarp tree conservation and extinction prevention
Korena Mafune
Geographic region: Pacific Northwest
Topic of study: Old-growth forest canopy fungi and microbial interactions
Amit Kaushik
Geographic region: India
Topic of study: Community-based forest conservation
Osvel Hinojosa Huerta
Geographic region: Colorado River
Topic of study: Biodiversity and riparian forest restoration
Maria Grace Fadiman
Geographic region: Latin America
Topic of study: Ethnobotany of culturally important trees
Lilian Rodriguez
Geographic region: Philippines
Topic of study: Forest restoration and evolution
Sisimac Duchicela
Geographic region: Andes of Ecuador and Peru
Topic of study: Mountain forest restoration and climate adaptation
Markus Eberl
Geographic region: Petrified forests and wood artifacts
Topic of study: Guatemala
Deborah Woodcock
Geographic region: Peru
Topic of study: Fossil wood and ancient forest climate reconstruction
Ben Gaglioti
Geographic region: Alaska and the Arctic
Topic of study: Tree rings and forests emerging from glaciers