National Geographic explorers Mark Synnot and Kenny Broad discuss their adventures as National Geographic explorers Saturday, Sept. 19. The free event will take place at 7 p.m. in lecture hall 163 in the Anthropology building on the UNM campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Synnott is an accomplished big-wall climber, free climber and photojournalist. He will share highlights from his recent expedition climbing and sailing around Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, which led to several first ascents and appeared in the January 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine.
Broad, who has a long history of diving and producing documentary films, and was named one of National Geographic’s Explorers of the Year in 2011, will recount his diving expedition to one of the most challenging and spectacular frontiers in exploration – the Bahamas Blue Holes.
The public presentation is a part of National Geographic’s presence on the UNM campus introducing students to the Young Explorers Grants program. Young Explorers Grants support aspiring scientists and explorers ages 18 through 25 in their pursuit of research-, exploration- and conservation-based field projects.
The evening presentation follows a daytime workshop that will enable students interested in pursuing Young Explorers Grants to meet with recent grant recipients as well as National Geographic staff, explorers, conservationists and researchers.
“The National Geographic Young Explorers Grants program is a unique way for young scientists and explorers to take steps into field research. We recognize that, by supporting younger individuals on their first field projects, we reach a new generation of scientists and explorers, and this workshop is a way of reaching them where they study,” said John Francis, vice president of research, conservation and exploration at the National Geographic Society. “The Evening of Field Research and Exploration is a way for us to continue sharing our rich history of research and exploration with the surrounding community.”
UNM Provost Chaouki Abdallah said, “We’re happy and honored to have National Geographic, Kenny Broad and Mark Synnott at UNM. Anytime we can connect young people with scientists, engineers, and artists, everyone benefits. Students get to see the passion they bring to their work, and what kinds of skills and attitudes make them successful. I encourage everyone to attend.”
The Sept. 19 events are hosted by UNM with support from the National Geographic Society, Lucy and Henry Billingsley, the Brinson Foundation and the Luce Foundation.
National Geographic explorers are sponsed on campus by the UNM Department of Anthropology
For more information, visit: National Geographic’s Young Explorers Grants program.