Wildlife Series 2026
Thursdays, 10 AM or 2 PM / ET
An interactive multi-week program with live virtual events and activities designed for your students to learn about wildlife globally, while inspiring action locally.
What's Included In This Free Series
- Interactive session with Q&A
- Educator Guide with hands on "mission" activities
- Access to event recording
- Certificate of completion
Credit: Andy Mann
About This Series
What do foxes, barn owls, bobcats, and tiger sharks all have in common? They’re living right right next door to us. From bustling urban blocks to quiet family farms, these animals share the exact same spaces where we eat, sleep, and live, co-existing with us often without us ever realizing it! Join to learn more about how Explorers are helping these species. Embark on a wildlife adventure with our 5-part Wildlife Series! Students will learn about conservation challenges and discover how Explorers are helping wildlife across America. Each event in the series includes a live presentation, pop quizzes, and a Q&A session. After the event, guide your students through experiential “mission” activities aimed to spark curiosity about wildlife and inspire local conservation ideas.
Mark your calendar and join us for a preparatory webinar for all participating educators on Thursday, September 10th, at 7 PM Eastern. During this webinar, we will cover everything you need to know about the Wildlife Series from what to expect during the live events with our National Geographic Explorers to how to guide your students through the weekly “mission” activities. Details to join the webinar will be sent upon registration and a recording will be available if you are not able to attend live.
All Events in This Series
Exploring Our Wild Cities
Explore the world of urban wildlife through the lens of camera traps and see the lives of animals living right under our noses.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Sep 17, 2026
10 AM or 2 PM / ET
Barn Owls on the Hunt
Learn how Karen Gallardo Cruz uses GPS to track the hunting habits of the American barn owl–and the impacts of human noise.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Sep 24, 2026
10 AM or 2 PM / ET
The Bobcat in My Backyard
Meet Blondie, the bobcat that wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan has been documenting since he was 14 years old.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Oct 8, 2026
10 AM or 2 PM / ET
Miami’s BAYby Sharks
Explore Florida’s Biscayne Bay with Julia Saltzman, as she tracks the movements of sharks that call this coastal ecosystem home.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Oct 22, 2026
10 AM or 2 PM / ET
Wildlife Series Celebration & Shark Stories
Celebrating students’ ideas to protect wildlife and get shark DNA research updates from our host, Gibbs Kuguru.
Grade: 3 - 8 / Age: 8 - 14
Nov 12, 2026
10 AM or 2 PM / ET
Resources
Featured Explorers
National Geographic Explorers are an international community of changemakers, who use the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world, while inspiring the next generation to do the same.
Christopher John Schell
Dr. Christopher J. Schell is an urban ecologist, professor, Afrofuturist, father, and published author.
Karen Gallardo Cruz
Karen Gallardo Cruz is an ecologist and a PhD candidate at UC Davis, in the department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology.
Vishal Subramanyan
Vishal Subramanyan is a wildlife filmmaker and conservation storyteller who uses his camera to spotlight the hidden wonders of the natural world.