Speakers Bureau

Michael Fay Conservationist, Biologist

Photo: River

Photograph by Michael Nichols

Photo: Michael Fay
Photograph by Jim Webb

You have heard the phrase, “vote with your feet.” Few people have ever taken this to heart as completely as J. Michael Fay, a biologist with the Wildlife Conservation Society and Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic. Driven by an unyielding passion to document and preserve the last wild spaces on Earth, Fay has gone to extremes to raise the profile of these Edens.

In 2001 he set out on a 2,000-mile walk through the heart of Africa to document the largest unspoiled area on the continent, an expedition dubbed as Megatransect. As a result of this historic expedition, Gabon established its first system of national parks, offering protection to over 10% of its flora and fauna.

Inspired by this success, Fay set his sights on all of Africa, spending eight months on the Megaflyover project, flying low and slow over 60,000 miles of Africa. The expedition captured a hundred thousand digital images, creating an unprecedented record of the environment and sparking further action for conservation. Recently, Fay completed the Redwoods Transect, walking the entire range of the Redwood Forest in North American to encourage conservation of these old growth forests.

Popular Presentation

Think Big
Using his life’s work as an example, Fay inspires us to dream beyond what seems possible, and to consider what we might achieve if we were willing to see ourselves as powerful.

Learn More About Michael:

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Profile

Redwood Transect Project

Photo: Michael Fay

Listen to Radio Interview With Michael

Boyd Matson Interviews Michael Fay for NG Weekend Radio Show

  • Photo: Elephant
    NPR Interview: 15-Month African Flyover

    NPR‘s Alex Chadwick talks with Mike Fay, an explorer and biologist for the Wildlife Conservation Society, who spent 15 months flying in a small plane across Africa and recording environmental data.

  • Photo: Elephants
    NGM: Ivory Wars (March 2007)

    While poachers are slaughtering some of the last surviving central African elephants for their tusks, a refuge in Chad gives this endangered species armed protection—and a fighting chance.

Interested in Booking a Speaker? Tell Us More.

Your Information:

  • Name:

  • Company:

  • E-mail:

  • Phone:

  • Type of Event:

  • Date of Event:

Speakers Who Interest You and Click Add:

Name or type of speaker you are looking for:

See speakers you chose below:

Comments:

Thank you for your interest in the Speakers Bureau! Your request has been sent.

Oops! Something Went Wrong

To Submit a booking directly, please contact:

National Geographic Speakers Bureau
(202 775-7800)
speakers@ngs.org

National Geographic Speakers

Speaker name
Sam Abell Photographer Photo of Sam Abell
William Albert Allard Photographer, Writer Photo of William Albert Allard
Peter Athans Mountaineer, Filmmaker Photo of Peter Athans
Robert Ballard Underwater Explorer Photo of Robert Ballard
Brady Barr Reptile Expert, TV Host Photo of Brady Barr
Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith Photographers, Writers Photo of Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith
Keith Bellows Editor in Chief, National Geographic Traveler Photo of Keith Bellows
Annie Griffiths Belt Photographer Photo of Annie Griffiths Belt
Don Belt Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent, National Geographic Photo of Don Belt
Kobie Boykins NASA Engineer Photo of Kobie Boykins
Jodi Cobb Photographer Photo of Jodi Cobb
Michael Davie Filmmaker Photo of Michael Davie
Wade Davis Cultural Anthropologist Photo of Wade Davis
Dennis Dimick Executive Editor, National Geographic Magazine Photo of Dennis Dimick
David Doubilet Underwater Photographer Photo of David Doubilet
Sylvia Earle Marine Biologist Photo of Sylvia Earle
Michael Fay Conservationist, Biologist Photo of Michael Fay
Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher Photographers, Writers Photo of Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher
John Francis Conservationist Photo of John Francis
Zahi Hawass Archaeologist Photo of Zahi Hawass
Fred Hiebert Archaeologist Photo of Fred Hiebert
Peter Hillary Mountaineer, Author Photo of Peter Hillary
Donald Johanson Paleoanthropologist Photo of Donald Johanson
Beverly & Dereck Joubert Photographers, Filmmakers, Naturalists Photo of Beverly & Dereck Joubert
Karen Kasmauski Photographer Photo of Karen Kasmauski
Mattias Klum Photographer Photo of Mattias Klum
Emory Kristof Photographer Photo of Emory Kristof
Frans Lanting Photographer Photo of Frans Lanting
Lisa Ling Journalist Photo of Lisa Ling
Greg Marshall Biologist, Inventor, Filmmaker Photo of Greg Marshall
Boyd Matson Journalist, Adventurer Photo of Boyd Matson
Mireya Mayor Primatologist Photo of Mireya Mayor
Steve McCurry Photographer Photo of Steve McCurry
Kim McKay Environmentalist, Author Photo of Kim McKay
Mark Moffett Ecologist, Photographer Photo of Mark Moffett
Nalini Nadkarni Forest Ecologist Photo of Nalini Nadkarni
Cathy Newman National Geographic Senior Writer, Author Photo of Cathy Newman
Michael "Nick" Nichols Photographer, Conservationist Photo of Michael "Nick" Nichols
Paul Nicklen Photographer, Biologist Photo of Paul Nicklen
Børge Ousland Polar Explorer Photo of Børge Ousland
Victoria Pope Managing Editor, National Geographic Magazine Photo of Victoria Pope
Chad Pregracke Environmentalist Photo of Chad Pregracke
Tim Samaras Severe-Storms Researcher Photo of Tim Samaras
Joel Sartore Photographer Photo of Joel Sartore
Paul Sereno Paleontologist Photo of Paul Sereno
Will Steger Polar Explorer Photo of Will Steger
Maria Stenzel Photographer Photo of Maria Stenzel
Ed Viesturs Mountaineer Photo of Ed Viesturs
Spencer Wells Population Geneticist Photo of Spencer Wells
Andrew Zolli Futurist Photo of Andrew Zolli

No Result

advertisement

Email this to a Friend

Thank You! Your Request Was Submitted

Your friend will receive an email regarding this page shortly.

OK

Oops! Something Went Wrong

We encountered an error while trying to process your request, please try again in a few moments.

Resources for Your Event

  • Speakers Bureau

    Hire a National Geographic speaker for your event.

    Meet Our Speakers
  • Facilities Rental

    Book a distinctive setting for your event.

    Learn About Our Venue
  • Book an Exhibition

    Bring an exhibition to your institution.

    View Available Exhibitions
  • All Roads Traveling Strands

    Book a film program or photography exhibit.

    Learn More
  • Giant Traveling Maps

    Touring floor maps bring memorable education to students.

    See Our Maps