© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Nacho is 40 years old and originally from Zaragoza, a city almost 1,000 kilometers away from Galicia. After a turbulent youth, he decided to isolate himself in the Galician mountains to live a life less dependent on society. Today, he cares for his herd of goats, with whom he shares a very special bond: he hugs them, talks to them, and cares for them as if they were his children. Every morning, he takes them to the mountains early so they can graze, and he doesn’t return home until nightfall. In these animals, he seems to have found the meaning of his existence. Nacho lives in an old, occupied stone house without electricity. His diet consists of vegetables and the milk his goats produce. As he himself says, his dream would be to eat like the goats, feeding on the herbs of the mountains. Nacho leads a hermit-like life, finding in this self-imposed exclusion from normalized society a true sense of freedom. May 24th, 2024. VIlar, Galicia.

Now in its third year, Vital Impacts has awarded seven environmental photography fellowships totaling $50,000 and eleven year-long mentorships to visionary photographers illuminating the profound and often fragile connection between people and the planet. As support for indepth environmental storytelling declines and the urgency of these stories continues to grow, Vital Impacts champions the artists whose images spark empathy, inspire action, and remind us of our collective responsibility to protect the Earth we call home.

Vital Impacts is thrilled to announce the 2026 recipients of $50,000 in Environmental Photography Fellowships, honoring the legacy of visionary leaders including Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, Chico Mendes, Madonna Thunder Hawk, E.O. Wilson and Ian Lemaiyan. Fellows were selected for their locally rooted storytelling that highlights solutions and community resilience. In addition, 11 emerging photographers will participate in year-long intensive mentorships, developing their craft and vision.

This year’s judging panel included Alessia Glaviano, Head of Global PhotoVogue, Azu Nwagbogu, Founder and Director of African Artists’ Foundation and Lagos Photo Festival Evgenia Arbugaeva, National Geographic Storytelling Fellow and Academy Award Nominee, Kathy Moran, Deputy Director of Photography at National Geographic and Pat Kane, Vital Impacts Environmental Jane Goodall Fellowship Winner.

Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, (Verin, Spain) has been awarded the Chico Mendes Environmental Photography Fellowship for his project, Beyond the Lake. Echoing the spirit of Chico Mendes, this project explores rural Galicia, where communities confront drought, wildfire, and depopulation while holding on to memory and place.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Nestled in the lush landscapes of Galicia, a woman dressed in traditional Galician attire poses before a meadow at the edge of a wooded enclave. The vegetation, a testament to Galicia’s historical abundance of rainfall, unfolds before her. The essence of Galicia’s enduring green legacy, shaped by the perennial rains that have blessed the region, is embodied in the silhouette of this woman, in a connection with nature that characterizes the people of Galicia. September 3th, 2023. Curbián, Galicia

Carlos Folgoso Sueiro is  a photographer and sociology student interested in human experience. His  photography addresses social and environmental issues, exploring identity, memory, and resilience.

His work has been published in National Geographic, Geo, Stern, Sunday Times, and The British Journal of Photography, and exhibited at institutions such as the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg) and Canal Isabel II (Madrid). He has received awards including Pictures of the Year International, the Social Documentary Network award, and the Marco Pesaresi award. He has taken masterclasses with Donovan Wylie, Jonas Bendiksen, Alex Webb, Sarah Leen, and Magdalena Herrera, and participated in the XXXVI Eddie Adams Workshop and the New York Times Portfolio Review.

In 2020, a severe back injury shifted his perspective. Since then, he began Beyond the Lake, a project exploring his homeland, Galicia, metaphorically and socially. Other works include The Shining Land, documenting remote Siberian towns impacted by the diamond trade, and World’s Place Apart, a long-term project on a self-excluded hippie community begun in 2005. For over ten years, he has also worked with news agencies covering events such as the Lampedusa Sea tragedy, the Middle East refugee exodus, and the Costa Concordia disaster.

Instagram: @carlosfolgososueiro 

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, The Galician wild horse, also known as “Besta” constitutes a unique cultural legacy with a great connection with the history of Galicia, its rural landscape, and its natural values. In the last half-century, the population of this animal has been reduced by half. Factors such as the abandonment of rural areas, deforestation due to fires, or the replanting of invasive species are leading to the collapse of the Wild Horse population, so much so that its population has been reduced from 22,000 to less than 10,000 heads in the past 50 years, according to a doctoral thesis from the University of La Coruña. These animals contribute to addressing some of the problems derived from the climate emergency, the depopulation of rural areas, and the biodiversity crisis. Although this colony of ‘Bestas’ remains the largest in Europe, it is at serious risk of disappearance, according to studies from the University of La Coruña. July 8th, 2023. Sabucedo, Galicia.

Beyond the Lake

Tony used to come home with nuts, claiming that Rosemary had given them to him—though Rosemary existed only in his dreams. Adolf and Raúl’s house was set on fire by neighbors over disputes about communal land. María spent her life as an emigrant, leaving her only son, Emilio, in Galicia; after her return, Emilio died from alcoholism. The wild horses of Sabucedo barely roam, as abandoned land is replaced by forest replantations. Aceredo village froze in time when the Lindoso reservoir submerged it in 1992, marking the end of an era.

These stories come from rural Galicia (Northwest Spain) and its border with Portugal, where reality blends with legend, suspended between rich tradition and present challenges. Galicia now faces a paradigm shift driven by depopulation, abandonment, and climate change. The massive spread of eucalyptus, a non-native tree, exposes industrial exploitation. The planned Altri factory in the heart of Galicia could intensify eucalyptus expansion, threatening biodiversity, increasing fire risks, degrading soil, and consuming 46 million liters of water daily from the Ulla River. Climate pressures compound social wounds: land abandonment, emigration, invasive monocultures, and alcoholism as an escape from limited opportunities. Together, they expose the fragility of rural communities struggling to preserve their identity.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Sabela, a young Galician girl, plays in the forests of Palas de Rey, hugging a tree—a gesture that embodies the deep communion of the Galician people with their natural environment. This forest, brimming with life and stories, starkly contrasts with the plans of the Portuguese company Altri, which aims to build a cellulose plant nearby. The factory is projected to consume 46 million liters of water per day and will promote the expansion of eucalyptus monocultures, an invasive species threatening to replace the biodiversity of these woods. The contrast between Sabela’s symbolic connection to nature and the aggressiveness of an industrial model like Altri’s reflects the environmental and social dilemmas Galicia faces today. September 30th, 2024

Beyond the Lake explores these dynamics while reflecting on my own story. I am the son of a man who died young from alcoholism and the grandson of emigrants—three of my grandparents left Galicia, and I lived abroad for 16 years. Many photographs are taken in my own village and home, places that bear witness to generations marked by abandonment and resilience.

The effects of climate change are hitting Southern Europe hardest, particularly the Iberian Peninsula. In 2025, reservoir levels fell 6% compared to 2024, and the year before they had already dropped 15% compared to 2023, outlining a sustained downward trend. In the Galicia-Costa basin, storage hovers just above 50%, a critical threshold for a region once synonymous with abundant rainfall. Galicia, once considered a climatic haven, is no longer exempt. Rivers like the Lérez, Támega, and Limia run so low that stretches have gone dry. These crises, once unthinkable, now form a recurring pattern.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, The town of Aceredo, which emerged to light after 30 years buried under the water of the Lindoso reservoir, is a clear witness to the effects of climate change and the aggressiveness of man’s hand towards the natural environment. The sight of the village of Aceredo, abandoned in time under the waters of the reservoir, reminds me of the abundance of life in that place, where the mountains and the river provided its inhabitants with everything they needed for their daily lives. Once the reservoir was lowered and the village of Aceredo came to light, many of its former inhabitants returned to see what was once their home. Some of them, like Domingo Fontán, admit that they wish the water in the reservoir had never gone down, since seeing the village of their childhood again only causes them to scratch a wound whose pain becomes unbearable. December 21st, 2021. Aceredo, Galicia.

This environmental fragility intersects with deep social scars. By the mid-20th century, 1.2 million Galicians—nearly half the population—had emigrated. Poverty drove this exodus, leaving behind loneliness and abandonment. Alcoholism became endemic, compounded by low population density and weak economic networks, fueling disputes and eroding communal ties. Another defining wound is fire. Galicia endures one of Europe’s highest rates of man-made wildfires, often linked to disputes, economic interests, or political tensions. The summer of 2025 was the worst in Galicia’s history, with thousands of hectares burned, altering entire ecosystems. Fires are not anomalies but structural problems—cyclical threats that expose the vulnerability of the territory.

Beyond the Lake is rooted in these realities. It portrays a Galicia long neglected by central authorities, marked by unemployment, emigration, alcoholism, exclusion, disputes over communal land, forest fires, and invasive monocultures. Through a poetic visual language, the project reveals both visible scars and invisible legacies of climate change, depopulation, and resilience in one of Europe’s most fragile landscapes.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Tony used to arrive home with nuts, claiming that his girlfriend, Rosemary, had given them to him. However, Rosemary only existed in his mind. Tony resides in Atas, a small remote village on the border between Galicia and Portugal. He grew up with alcoholic parents and, unfortunately, became an alcoholic himself. Tony says, “I remember that when I was a child my father would put a glass of wine on the table for me and tell me ‘Drink! A little bit won’t hurt you”. When Tony drinks alcohol he quickly loses control over himself to the point of losing an eye due to a car accident while driving drunk. He currently lost his job due to his alcoholism and lives on state aid and his family’s charity. The depression in the area, the lack of job opportunities, and the communication difficulties made it even more challenging for him to overcome his alcoholism. April, 7th. 2023. Atás, Galicia.

The next stage of Beyond the Lake will unfold over twelve months, alternating fieldwork and editing while maintaining continuous research. Monitoring climate indicators, reservoir levels, drought alerts, and wildfire data will guide the process. Fieldwork will follow a rhythm of two weeks in the territory and one week of editing and scanning negatives. Material will be reviewed and sequenced every fifteen days, ideally with the guidance of a Vital Impacts mentor, ensuring the project evolves organically in response to environmental realities and community encounters.

In the first half of the year, photography will focus on communities scarred by abandonment, alcoholism, and emigration. Special attention will be given to people living in the forest, sustaining the mountains through traditional practices. Their resilience offers a counterpoint to scarcity and loss. In parallel, the aftermath of the devastating 2025 wildfires will become a central motif. Winter will document charred forests, altered ecosystems, and the adaptation of both people and animals. In summer, new fires will be photographed to capture the cyclical nature of the threat. Traditional rituals and cultural symbols will be integrated, connecting contemporary struggles with ancestral memory.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Apples, nearly rotten, rest upon the stone of a fountain in the garden of a house in Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia. This image contrasts with the lush vegetation that defines the region, shaped by some of the highest rainfall in Europe: Santiago receives an annual average of 1,573 liters per square meter. Yet, Galicia faces the paradox of being a water-rich region devastated by forest fires, which in some years have accounted for up to 80% of all fires in Spain. This contrast highlights how land management and rural abandonment impact the balance between natural abundance and environmental disasters. September 17th, 2022. Santiago de Compostela, Galicia.

By months nine and ten, focus will shift to community engagement: returning to villages to share images, foster dialogue, and re-record testimonies. Meetings in cultural centers will create spaces for reflection, ensuring the project is not only about Galicia but also with Galicia. The final weeks will be dedicated to editing with the support of Vital Impacts, finalizing the photographic sequence for exhibitions and publications. By year’s end, Beyond the Lake will stand as a complete chronicle of Galicia’s fragile balance between resilience and collapse.

As a student of Sociology and a storyteller deeply rooted in Galicia, I believe photography can both heal and critique. On a personal level, photographing is a form of growth; on a social level, it reveals problems demanding collective reflection. Working with a Vital Impacts mentor would sharpen my vision, ensure the project meets its objectives, and bring international visibility to these overlooked territories, potentially sparking dialogue and action. Beyond the Lake is not only a project about memory and loss—it is a call for resilience and transformation.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Maria, a native of a village called Atás, was born in 1929 and had her only son, Emilio, when she was 26 years old. Maria married when she was already pregnant, a situation frowned upon in rural Galicia at that time. The poverty of her home area and the lack of opportunities led Maria to emigrate to Hanover, Germany, leaving Emilio in his village. She believed that working abroad would provide him with the financial stability he needed to live comfortably. Emilio was raised in the home of his uncles (Maria’s brothers), who were alcoholics. This environment eventually led Emilio to develop alcoholism as well. Emilio started his own family, but his struggles with alcohol never ceased, ultimately leading to his death at just 50 years old, shortly after Maria permanently returned from Germany. Maria separated from her son, thinking she was giving him the best by working abroad, yet her decision made him feel like an abandoned child. Emilio grew up feeling lost in the world, believing that his parents had abandoned him because they did not love him, and he was further stigmatized for being the product of a premarital conception. When Maria finally returned to enjoy her time with her son, he passed away due to his alcoholism. June 16th, 2022. Atás, Galicia.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Teixo is a young man of just 20 years. He grew up in the mountains of Negueira de Muñiz, in a house without electricity. Teixo’s father works shearing goats and sheep, and since he was little, Teixo never showed much interest in studying. That’s why, as soon as he turned 15, he started shearing goats alongside his father. Now, at 20 years old, he is certain that his work will always be shearing goats. Although it is a very tough job, Teixo enjoys it because it helps him maintain a connection with the animals and strengthens his bond with the land and nature, a bond he’s had since childhood. May 7th, 2024. Cualedro, Galicia.

© Carlos Folgoso Sueiro, Adolf and Raul came from Barcelona to live in a house in Barcela, an abandoned village in the Galician forest, at the foot of the Grandas de Salime reservoir. Locals accused them of intending to live there to gain economic benefits from the communal land, sparking significant disputes between them and the neighbors. One night, some neighbors attempted to set fire to Adolfo and Raúl’s house while they were inside. To this day, Adolfo and Raúl are marginalized from the rest of the village, and they have spent almost 5 years without practically leaving their home. September 11th, 2023. Barcela, Galicia.

About the Fellowships

Vital Impacts is dedicated to supporting visual storytellers who capture compelling, solutions-focused environmental stories at the local level. We are grateful to be able to offer one $20,000 fellowship and six $5,000 fellowships to help bring these vital stories to life. Fellows have twelve months to develop their projects, with support from Vital Impacts to publish and showcase their work.

“Our aim is to support and nurture the next generation of environmental storytellers through grants and mentoring programs,” said founder Ami Vitale “We aspire to create opportunities for these emerging voices to explore complex environmental issues with originality and nuance at this critical moment.” 

The 2026 Mentorship Recipients

In addition to the grants, ten emerging photographers from diverse regions will participate in an intensive mentorship program designed to enhance their storytelling skills and artistic vision.

Over the span of twelve months, these individuals will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one sessions with industry experts, renowned photographers, and influential photo editors. Through these sessions, participants will refine their storytelling skills, receive guidance on navigating the industry, and establish vital connections.

About Vital Impacts

Over the past fifty years, Earth’s wildlife populations have declined by nearly three-quarters, a profound shift that challenges us to rethink how we care for the natural world. Yet even in the face of these losses, there is extraordinary reason for hope. Around the planet, communities, scientists, and storytellers are working together to reimagine solutions, restore ecosystems, and protect the places we all depend on.

Vital Impacts is a women-led 501c3 non-profit founded in 2021 by Ami Vitale and Eileen Mignoni to advance conservation through visual storytelling, community partnership, and strategic investment in local solutions. We harness the power of art, visual journalism, and community partnerships to support conservation and illuminate pathways toward a more resilient future. Central to our work is investing in storytellers. More than 1,000 journalists across 87 countries have received mentorship through our programs, gaining the tools and support to report on environmental issues with depth, sensitivity, and solutions-driven focus. Their stories bring global visibility to local challenges and to the people working creatively to solve them.

This storytelling network is paired with deep community engagement. Through partnerships, Vital Impacts has raised $3.5 million for local conservation initiatives. These resources help safeguard critical ecosystems, support community-led conservation, and ensure that those working closest to the land have the support they need to succeed.

We are also cultivating the next generation of environmental stewards. Our in-person student programs have reached 30,000 young people, inviting them to see themselves as active participants in shaping a healthier, more compassionate world. By connecting students with powerful stories and the people behind them, we spark curiosity, agency, and a lifelong commitment to caring for the planet.

At the heart of Vital Impacts is the belief that stories transform understanding and that understanding drives action. By elevating local voices, bridging science and narrative, and directing resources where they create lasting change, we are building a global community of people who recognize that restoring the planet is not only possible but already underway.

Instagram: @vital.impacts

Executive Director: Ami Vitale

Ami Vitale is a National Geographic Explorer at Large, award-winning photographer, writer, documentary filmmaker, and the founder of Vital Impacts. Her work explores the vital connections between people, wildlife, and the planet. With nearly three decades of experience working in over 100 countries, Ami uses storytelling as a tool for conservation, empathy, and action.

Her career began in conflict zones, where she witnessed firsthand how environmental degradation—including resource scarcity, displacement, and climate instability—profoundly affects human lives. These early experiences shaped her conviction that environmental and social issues are inseparable, guiding her toward long-term, solutions-focused work that highlights resilience, collaboration, and possibility.

Her work has been recognized with numerous honors, including Conservation International’s Lui-Walton Innovators Fellowship, the Lucie Humanitarian Award, the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service, the Daniel Pearl Award for Outstanding Reporting, and six World Press Photo awards. She is an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and an inductee into the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame.

Through both her nonprofit leadership and her own creative work, she remains deeply committed to empowering emerging voices and advancing a more hopeful, solutions-driven future for our planet.

Instagram: @amivitale