Earthwatch Institute

Last updated
Earthwatch Institute
Formation1971
Legal statusFoundation
PurposeEnvironmental Research
Headquarters Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Region served
Worldwide
President & CEO
Gitte Venicx
Website www.earthwatch.org

Earthwatch Institute is an international environmental charity. [1] [2] It was founded in 1971 as Educational Expeditions International by Bob Citron and Clarence Truesdale. [3] Earthwatch Institute supports Ph.D. researchers internationally and conducts over 100,000 hours of research annually using the Citizen Science methodology. Earthwatch's mission statement states that the organization "connects people with scientists worldwide to conduct environmental research and empowers them with the knowledge they need to conserve the planet." [4] As such, it is one of the global underwriters of scientific field research in climate change, archaeology, paleontology, marine life, biodiversity, ecosystems and wildlife. [5] For over fifty years, Earthwatch has raised funds to recruit individuals, students, teachers, and corporate fellows [6] to participate in field research to understand nature's response to accelerating global change. [7]

Contents

Earthwatch Citizen Science Projects are peer-reviewed, Ph.D.-led scientific field research [8] that allow everyday citizens to join research teams around the world to collect field data in areas such as climate change, [9] wildlife conservation, rainforest ecology, marine science, [10] and archaeology. [11]

Earthwatch staff also lead in-house projects, such as their Climate Change Masterclass, a virtual education program centering on corporate sustainability, [12] Operation Healthy Air, which provides tools and training for air quality monitoring in vulnerable areas and supports action to improve air quality, [13] and Global Pollinator Watch, a partnership with iNaturalist that supports pollinator research by enabling citizen scientists to observe pollinators in their habitat. Global Pollinator Watch participants have recorded over 495,000 pollinator observations as of 2024. [14]

By paying to spend time on a project ranging from a few days to several weeks, volunteers, corporations, and foundations support critical field research both financially and by providing a workforce to collect data. Participants gain first-hand experience with science, the scientists, and the research areas. [15]

Organization and history

Earthwatch headquarters are in Boston, Massachusetts. They also have offices in Oxford, England; Melbourne, Australia; Gurgaon, India; and Tokyo, Japan.

Earthwatch was started as Educational Expeditions International in 1971 by Bob Citron, who was a Smithsonian Institution employee, and Clarence Truesdale, the superintendent of Vermont public schools. [3] In 1972, Brian A. Rosborough joined Educational Expeditions International as a volunteer and six months later became president of the newly named Earthwatch. The organization quickly expanded, partnering with scientists around the world to confront threats to wildlife and the environment.

Since 1971, Earthwatch has made notable achievements in environmental research and policymaking. These include

Earthwatch Australia is a partner in Bush Blitz, operated by Australian Biological Resources Study with co-funding by Bush Blitz founding partner BHP Billiton. [17]

Research focus areas and impacts

Earthwatch prioritizes support for research projects that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All projects must contribute to one or more of the following SDGs below and incorporate actions "to combat climate change and its impacts." [18] (SDG 13)

Earthwatch-supported research has impacted scientific progress and environmental policy in a number of areas. Below are a few relevant examples.

Earthwatch expeditions

Recent research expeditions being fielded by Earthwatch scientists and volunteers from around the world include:

Previously funded expeditions

Earthwatch has been successful in completing environmental scientific research throughout its history. Some recently completed research includes:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation in Australia</span>

Conservation in Australia is an issue of state and federal policy. Australia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, with a large portion of species endemic to Australia. Preserving this wealth of biodiversity is important for future generations. 25% of Australia is managed for conservation.

This is an index of conservation topics. It is an alphabetical index of articles relating to conservation biology and conservation of the natural environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation biology</span> Study of threats to biological diversity

Conservation biology is the study of the conservation of nature and of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction and the erosion of biotic interactions. It is an interdisciplinary subject drawing on natural and social sciences, and the practice of natural resource management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habitat conservation</span> Management practice for protecting types of environments

Habitat conservation is a management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore habitats and prevent species extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range. It is a priority of many groups that cannot be easily characterized in terms of any one ideology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Habitat destruction</span> Process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species

Habitat destruction occurs when a natural habitat is no longer able to support its native species. The organisms once living there have either moved to elsewhere or are dead, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and species numbers. Habitat destruction is in fact the leading cause of biodiversity loss and species extinction worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife conservation</span> Practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats

Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild species and their habitats in order to maintain healthy wildlife species or populations and to restore, protect or enhance natural ecosystems. Major threats to wildlife include habitat destruction, degradation, fragmentation, overexploitation, poaching, pollution, climate change, and the illegal wildlife trade. The IUCN estimates that 42,100 species of the ones assessed are at risk for extinction. Expanding to all existing species, a 2019 UN report on biodiversity put this estimate even higher at a million species. It is also being acknowledged that an increasing number of ecosystems on Earth containing endangered species are disappearing. To address these issues, there have been both national and international governmental efforts to preserve Earth's wildlife. Prominent conservation agreements include the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). There are also numerous nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) dedicated to conservation such as the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and Conservation International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden Gate Biosphere Network</span>

The Golden Gate Biosphere Network is a voluntary coalition of federal, state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and private partners within the Golden Gate Biosphere region. The Network aims to protect the region's biodiversity and conserve its natural resources. The Network has been part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme since 1988 and is part of the US Biosphere Network as well as EuroMAB. It is recognized by UNESCO for its "significance for biological diversity conversation" and organizational efforts involving municipal authorities and private interests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guinean forest–savanna mosaic</span> Tropical forest, savanna, and grassland ecoregion in West Africa

The Guinean forest-savanna , also known as the Guinean forest-savanna transition, is a distinctive ecological region located in West Africa. It stretches across several countries including Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon. This region is characterized by a unique blend of forested areas and savannas, creating a diverse and dynamic landscape.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biodiversity action plan</span>

A biodiversity action plan (BAP) is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As of 2009, 191 countries have ratified the CBD, but only a fraction of these have developed substantive BAP documents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong</span>

The Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, often referred to by its initialism OPCFHK, is a registered charitable non-governmental organisation under the Ocean Park Corporation. It was established on 1 July 2005, following the merger of the former Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (OPCF) and The Hong Kong Society for Panda Conservation (HKSPC).

Ocean Conservancy is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., United States. The organization seeks to promote healthy and diverse ocean ecosystems, prevent marine pollution, climate change and advocates against practices that threaten oceanic and human life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Cape Verde</span>

The wildlife of Cape Verde is found across its archipelago of ten islands and three islets, albeit in smaller numbers of species than mainland Africa. Each volcanic island within the archipelago is unique, and each of them have parks under their jurisdiction, by decree promulgated by the Cape Verde government. Located just off the west coast of Africa, the total land area of the island nation is 4,564 square kilometres (1,762 sq mi).

The School for Field Studies (SFS) is the United States' largest environmental study abroad program provider for undergraduate college students, offering fully accredited semester- and summer-long academic programs in over 10 countries around the world. SFS students and staff conduct field research, driven by strategic research plans, to address environmental issues which affect both the communities in which the organization operates and the world in general. More than 18,000 students have studied abroad with SFS since it was founded in 1980. SFS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, currently based out of Beverly, Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endangered species</span> Species of organisms facing a very high risk of extinction

An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, invasive species, and climate change. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List lists the global conservation status of many species, and various other agencies assess the status of species within particular areas. Many nations have laws that protect conservation-reliant species which, for example, forbid hunting, restrict land development, or create protected areas. Some endangered species are the target of extensive conservation efforts such as captive breeding and habitat restoration.

The natural environment, commonly referred to simply as the environment, includes all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth.

Ecology Project International is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, Montana, dedicated to developing place-based, ecological education partnerships between local experts and youth to address conservation issues. Ecology Project International (EPI) works with students and educators at seven program sites around the world: Belize, Costa Rica, mainland Ecuador, Galápagos Islands, Hawaii, Mexico, and Yellowstone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ravindra Kumar Sinha (biologist)</span> Dolphine Man of India

Ravindra Kumar Sinha is a Padma Shri awarded Indian biologist and environmentalist. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University from 2019-2023 and also served in Nalanda Open University. Previously he was the Head of the Department of Zoology at Patna University, and is a pioneer researcher and wildlife conservationist, famous for his efforts for the conservation of Gangetic Dolphins, he is popularly known as the "Dolphin Man of India".

Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) is an Indian not-for-profit organisation based in Mumbai which was registered in 2002. WCT currently works in and around 160 protected areas across 23 states in India and works closely with government bodies, corporates, communities and local NGOs through funding and technical support, knowledge partnering and consultancy.

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