Earthwatch

"You can look at plenty of satellite pictures and see change in them, but until you get on the ground- in some cases down on your hands and knees - you can't fundamentally understand what climate change is all about."..... Brian Rosborough

Brian Rosborough

Brian Rosborough, the Founding Chairman of Earthwatch Institute who headed up the organisation for 25 years, is set to visit Australia early next month. Way ahead of his time in 1971, Brian was responsible for one of the most visionary approaches to supporting scientific research; involving the community in the research, to help them understand changes in the climate and the environment.

Richard Gilmore, Executive Director of Earthwatch Australia has announced that Brian will be a special guest at Earthwatch's 40th Anniversary to be celebrated in Melbourne on August 10 at a black tie gala event at Crown Palladium to raise funds for much-needed oceans research.

A former investment banker, Brian Rosborough, launched Earthwatch in 1971 with the goal of providing 'social venture capital' to scientists by enlisting volunteers to do fieldwork. Now, one of the world's largest private funders of field research, Earthwatch sends nearly 4,000 volunteers each year to join scientific expeditions..

Since 1971 Earthwatch internationally through 100,000 global supporters, volunteers, scientists and educators have committed nearly 11 million hours to conservation research - equal to more than 5,000 years of work.

Mr Gilmore said, Brian Rosborough has a significant history with Australia arriving with very few connections and little money to set up the Australian Earthwatch Institute some 30 years ago.

"He soon gathered a small but esteemed group of prominent Australians. That group included legendary names like Sir James Vernon, Sir Jack Crawford, Sir John Proud and Sir Laurence Muir, who along with the Myer and Darling families chose to take a gamble on an untried and unproven idea."

For details on expeditions across the world visit www.earthwatch.org.au

"Today, Earthwatch recruits close to 4,000 volunteers every year to collect field data in the areas of rainforest ecology, wildlife conservation, marine science, archaeology, and more. Through this process, we educate, inspire, and involve a diversity of people, who actively contribute to conserving our planet."

Media Enquiries:
To arrange an interview with Richard Gilmore please contact: Ron Smith, Earthwatch Mobile: 0417 329 201

Today's story in the Herald Sun provides an insight into the personal experiences of volunteers -"Hey look who the Meerkat dragged in"
Get the Full Story - Herald Sun Today a Personal Journey on an Earthwatch Expedition

Barbara Harrison, who has completed 19 Earthwatch Expeditions,
in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa

Earthwatch Oceania Gala
10 August 2011 at Crown Palladium
For details visit www.earthwatch40th.org.au
The Earthwatch Oceania Gala is presented by Brother International (Australia). Major sponsors include Rio Tinto and National Australia Bank.

Earthwatch Australia is involved in developing citizen science which brings together the community and the work of scientists in the environmental area.
Volunteers help scientists to collect data, make and record observations, radio track animals, census flora and fauna, run transect and quadrat studies and become involved in many other research tasks.
It works with Federal/ State Governments and major companies on innovative research projects which provide scientific knowledge for policy makers and wider community understanding of the science behind climate change.
Its position is not that of an advocacy group but is about organising gathering scientific information and promoting the role of research and community involvement.
It is part of an international network with 62 live projects across Australia and the world.