Madonna Thunder Hawk has been a powerful force in Native American activism and environmental protection. From her role in the Red Power Movement to her work with the Lakota People’s Law Project, she has spent decades advocating for environmental justice and rights, serving as an advisor to the Warrior Women Project and as the director of Grassroots Organizing at the Red Road Institute. This grant supports photographers whose work reflects solution-based environmental storytelling inspired by Madonna Thunder Hawk’s legacy of resilience and advocacy.

EO Wilson Environmental Photography Scholarship ($5,000)

EO Wilson photo by Jay Vavra, courtesy of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation

Dr. EO Wilson, a pioneering biologist, revolutionized modern conservation science with his Half-Earth concept, which calls for protecting half of Earth’s surface to stem the global extinction crisis. His work continues to inspire global biodiversity conservation efforts through the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation’s Half-Earth Project. This grant supports photographers who capture stories that connect humanity to nature, with the goal of protecting and restoring ecosystems.

Grant Requirements

Vital Impacts is looking for photographers with deep connections to their local communities who are passionate about capturing environmental issues and solutions. The audience must focus on documenting stories within their own communitieshelping to elevate local journalism and reporting. Only photographers who are rooted in the communities they wish to highlight will be considered.

Although prior publication is not required, Vital Impacts encourages applications from visual journalists who are working on long-term projects that have a strong connection to their topics. In addition to the seven grants, ten emerging photographers will be selected for an intensive mentoring program designed to support their professional development. All candidates will also have access to a comprehensive online mentoring series to help explore environmental stories.

Learn more about the 2024 Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grants and Mentoring Programs at https://vitalimpacts.org/pages/the-vital-impacts-environmental-photography-grant.