In 1971, Earthwatch Expeditions was founded to pair curious travelers with leading scientists conducting field research around the globe. Together, they studied wildlife, habitats and ecosystems—work that has contributed to important discoveries and helped drive efforts to protect the natural world.

A decade after Earthwatch's creation, a young man in New Jersey found inspiration in that idea. Ben Bressler would go on to build Natural Habitat Adventures, a company dedicated Conservation through Exploration, the concept that meaningful travel deepens understanding and drives conservation.

In 2026, those two paths converged. Earthwatch Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures joined forces, uniting decades of scientific research with a global leader in conservation-focused travel.

Today, Natural Habitat Adventures operates Earthwatch Expeditions, offering travelers the opportunity to take part in meaningful scientific research and contribute to discoveries that expand knowledge and inform conservation worldwide.

Milestones

• 1971 – Earthwatch is founded, establishing a model that brings participants into the field to support scientific research.

• 1975 – Long-term excavation of mammoth graveyard sites begins in South Dakota, supported by Earthwatch for nearly four decades.

• 1981 – A new species of funnel-web spider is identified in Queensland, Australia and named Aname earthwatchorum.

• 1995 – Earthwatch teams in Zimbabwe document one of the first recorded instances of hippos consuming meat, reshaping understanding of the species’ behavior.

• 2000 – More than 23,000 African penguins are rescued and cleaned following the Treasure oil spill in South Africa. Earthwatch teams support the effort, with 90% of birds surviving.

• 2007 – After two decades of support, research on Isle Royale wolves produces key findings on inbreeding and extinction risk.

• 2013 – Data collected through Earthwatch-supported research contributes to increased international protections for several endangered shark species.

• 2023 – Research supported by Earthwatch scientists and participants contributes to the designation of Golfo Dulce as an Important Marine Mammal Area.

• 2026 – Earthwatch Expeditions and Natural Habitat Adventures formalize their partnership, bringing participatory research together with conservation-focused travel.