Entangled Destiny project, funded by National Geographic Society, explores the deep-rooted connection between Mediterranean communities and three iconic tree species: the olive, carob, and stone pine. These trees have shaped local cultures, economies, and landscapes for centuries, but their cultural significance is slowly eroding due to modernization and climate change.
Through a unique blend of scientific research and storytelling, the project will uncover the history, ecological importance, and cultural rituals tied to these trees, highlighting the wisdom of traditional tree stewardship.
Three National Geographic Explorers – Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat, Maria Contreras Coll and Sara Camnasio – travelled across Lebanon, Italy, and Spain to document multi-generational relationships between local communities and these “sister trees.” A customized van served as a mobile story-collecting hub, enabling direct engagement with residents and the recording of memories, recipes, rituals, photographs, videos, and personal testimonies.
The collected material was transformed into multimedia formats to make these narratives accessible and to inspire renewed appreciation for Mediterranean cultural and ecological heritage.
The project originated after the three Explorers first met at the National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C., in June 2022. Three Mediterranean women, from three different Mediterranean countries, discovered they shared similar memories, a strong emotional bond with the region, and a growing concern over the erosion of intangible heritage tied to its iconic trees.
Each brought a unique professional background, yet all were united by a common purpose: to take action before these stories and practices disappeared. From this shared commitment, Entangled Destiny was born. The olive, stone pine, and carob were chosen as symbols of the intertwined destinies of Mediterranean people and their trees: three species, three countries, three keepers of memory.
And so began the journey of the “three sisters”, united in their effort to document, celebrate, and preserve the ancient bond between Mediterranean communities and their trees.
Geneticist from Lebanon, dedicated to forest ecosystem restoration and endemic species conservation. Principal researcher at the European Forest Institute, she develops Mediterranean conservation strategies and has been honored internationally for her scientific leadership.
National Geographic Explorer
Italian multidisciplinary designer bridging science, design, and storytelling. Her work transforms complex scientific ideas into immersive educational experiences focused on conservation, culture, and community engagement across the Mediterranean.
National Geographic Explorer
Documentary photographer from Barcelona whose work highlights women redefining social structures worldwide. Her award-winning storytelling, published globally, offers intimate perspectives on gender, identity, and resilience.
National Geographic Explorer
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