Wild Hope: Rethinking our Relationship with Nature

As an acclaimed National Geographic photographer, writer and documentary filmmaker, Vitale has consistently spotlighted critical issues affecting our world. Her journey began in conflict zones, where she observed firsthand how environmental degradation intensifies human suffering and conflict.

Vitale’s work connects viewers to critical local conservation issues of global importance, underscoring our interconnectedness with one another and the natural world.

Among her many accolades, Instyle magazine featured her alongside Jane Goodall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in its series "Fifty Badass Women," celebrating women who exemplify courage and action. 

 "The Last Rhinos: A New Hope," the documentary about her work with the northern white rhinoceros premiered on Aug. 24 and is now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

This event is co-presented by the Charlotte Museum of Nature—a Discovery Place museum. Anticipated to open in 2026, Charlotte Museum of Nature nestled in the heart of Freedom Park, will be a world-class nature haven and center for nature exploration in the Carolinas.