The Communications Officer of Voice of Nature (VoNat), Jabi Katy Chale, is one of the 15 outstanding changemakers selected as the 2025 National Geographic Young Explorers across the globe. The National Geographic Young Explorer is prestigious international programme recognizes and supports young people between 18 and 25 years who are making significant contributions in their communities through exploration, conservation, storytelling, education, and science.
As a Young Explorer, Jabi will benefit from mentorship, funding, and global networking opportunities, which will deepen her impact in the environmental field.
“This came as a beautiful surprise, it is a dream come true,” Jabi said. She added that: “it feels great for one’s efforts to be recognized by a prestigious global platform. I look forward to learning from the diverse global community of explorers and using that experience to tell even stronger stories that inspire the preservation of our cultural and natural heritage.”
Jabi Katy for over 5 years has leveraged her media and storytelling abilities to crusade for nature and cultural heritage conservation, with recent exploits in cultural ecological research. She believes the programme will further sharpen her skills in strategic communication, storytelling, and research for community impact. This selection will boost her commitment to environmental storytelling and community engagement. Her selection brings the number of National Geographic Explorers at VoNat to two, with first being the Executive Director Ndimuh Bertrand Shancho, who joined the National Geographic Society in 2022.