Meet 15 visionaries who are developing innovative technologies, undertaking rigorous fieldwork and shifting cultural narratives in pursuit of a more vibrant and resilient planet! This year’s recipients of the 2026 Wayfinder Award presented by kiausa are working in science, conservation, education, technology and storytelling. From discovering novel microbes to bridging ancestral astronomical traditions with modern science, these new #NatGeoExplorers embody the spirit of exploration. Photo of Yvonne Drebert by Kyle Melnick (1), Folarin Kolawole by Tianqi Wang (2) and Anne-Isabelle Bonifassi by Freda Montas (3)