Soren Goldsmith is a conservation photographer, storyteller, and National Geographic Young Explorer from Massachusetts. Since receiving a grant from the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 2021, he has protected threatened ecosystems through photographic storytelling. By showcasing the elusive wildlife that lives in New England, he has helped his community and local policy makers form connections with critical habitats that can often appear unimportant. Goldsmith was selected as a 2023 winner of the National Geographic Slingshot Challenge for his work documenting an urban forest under threat of destruction. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in geological engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Goldsmith is inspired by the wonder of the natural world, especially urban wildernesses that are often overlooked, and envisions a future where old growth forests and native ecosystems thrive harmoniously with humanity.