National Geographic names "Explorers of the Year"

Environmental anthropologist Kenny Broad and the late underwater photographer Wes Skiles were named National Geographic "Explorers of the Year" at the recent "Evening of Exploration" event. This new award was presented in recognition of their extraordinary achievements in exploring and documenting the Blue Holes of the Bahamas in 2010.

Wes Skiles          
Late underwater photographer Wes Skiles named National Geographic “Explorer of the Year” for his extraordinary achievements in exploring and documenting the Blue Holes of the Bahamas in 2010. Photo by Luis Lamar

Skiles worked as a freelance photographer and produced, directed and filmed over 100 television films, many of which have won international awards and acclaim. He was an avid cave diver. Wes Skiles died underwater in July of 2010 at the age of 52, of unknown causes. Here's a page with many tributes to Wes.

Kenny Broad
Environmental anthropologist Kenny Broad named National Geographic “Explorer of the Year” for his extraordinary achievements in exploring and documenting the Blue Holes of the Bahamas in 2010. Photo by Mark Thiessen

Broad is a professor at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and director of the University of Miami’s Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy. He also co-directs the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions at Columbia University.