Complex stories involving humans and nature — conservation during times of war, fragile ecosystems colliding with political unrest, poverty impacting scientific progress — are hard enough to explain in words. National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale can do it with an image. Many of her pictures document conservation projects and collective action in Africa and Asia, including on-the-ground efforts to preserve black rhino habitats; a daring rescue of giraffes trapped on an island; caregivers at an elephant sanctuary; and an exploration of the secret lives of giant pandas, achieved by photographing them while dressed in a panda costume. Her hope is to spark dialogue and connections between people and animals, shifting perspectives through visual storytelling. Vitale shows her work and talks about her travels during a lecture this Thursday, April 30, at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington.
‘Through The Lens of Empathy: Photographing Hope in a Fractured World’
Thursday, April 30, 5:30 p.m., at Fletcher Free Library in Burlington. Free; preregister.
This article appears in April 29 • 2026.
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