TreadRight Ambassadors are activists and storytellers who are dedicated to our planet, people, and wildlife. Since 2015 we’ve worked with Céline Cousteau, and more recently Sarain Fox, to help tell the stories of our inspiring Planet and People project partners around the world.
In celebration of World Wildlife Day 2020, we are thrilled to announce Ami Vitale as TreadRight’s first Wildlife Ambassador, who’s joining forces with us to shed light on the conservation value that travel holds for wildlife, when done right.
Ami is an award-winning National Geographic photographer, filmmaker, and writer who has travelled to more than 100 countries and has told some of the most compelling wildlife stories of our time. Her work aligns with TreadRight’s wildlife initiatives including our work with rhino, elephant, and leopard populations across Africa and India.
While her background in conflict photography allowed her to witness the enduring power of the human spirit, Ami transitioned into wildlife photography after a life-changing moment in 2009 when she met the last living northern white rhinos on the planet. She followed the story for a decade, eventually witnessing the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, and the final moments he shared surrounded by his dedicated protectors – a photo so powerful it was chosen by National Geographic’s readers as the best image of the decade.
“Photography is not about the camera and not even about the beautiful images we create,” says Ami. “It is about telling powerful stories. It is a tool for creating awareness and understanding across cultures, communities, and countries; a tool to make sense of our commonalities in the world we share.”
Ami uses her platform to tell the stories integral to our future: the stories about the human condition and its connection to the natural world. She believes that there’s been no time in human history that we’ve seen a greater awareness and opportunity for transformation.
“When we see ourselves as part of nature, we see that saving nature is really about saving ourselves. Telling these stories reminds us all of what we can achieve when we choose to make the natural world our priority.”
We are excited to join forces with Ami to tell the wildlife stories that matter most on our mission to make travel matter.