Field notes from the scientists and volunteers behind every Earthwatch Expedition.
18 stories
Conservation
Aaron Judah wanted to be a marine biologist from the time he was three. Two decades later, he’s a PhD candidate studying deep-sea biodiversity around the globe—and his journey began with an Earthwatch expedition in Belize.
Nature & Wildlife
By Siobhan Ruck, Earthwatch Participant Fierce Faces, Night Forests and Six Years of Owl Research My friend knows how to get my attention—”I saw that there’s an Earthwatch trip to Cave Creek Canyon to study owls.” An Intimate Encounter with Arizona’s Forest Owls was too tempting to pass up.
Canada & the North
By Alix Morris Welcome to Churchill, Manitoba At the southern edge of the Arctic, in Canada’s Hudson Bay lowlands, lies Churchill, Manitoba—a small town that sits at the convergence of tundra, forest, freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Conservation
Buzzwords like “conscious travel” and “authentic travel” are everywhere these days. But what do they actually mean? And can travel and science come together to create a meaningful benefit for people, wildlife and the places we visit?
African Safaris
Walking through a Big Five wildlife reserve on foot is not a typical safari experience. It requires focus, awareness and trust. On Earthwatch’s Walking with Wildlife in South Africa expedition, participants do exactly that, collecting data that helps guide the management of one of Africa’s most important protected areas.
Conservation
Insect populations are declining around the world, and the loss of pollinators is especially concerning. Bees, butterflies, beetles and other pollinating species play a critical role in food production, ecosystem health and biodiversity. The good news is that individuals can make a difference.
Conservation
Where Conservation Becomes Connection Across mountains, oceans and forests, Earthwatch participants follow the paths of wildlife—and often discover something about themselves along the way. We’ve all seen the phrase on trailheads and park signs: “Leave only footprints, take only memories.”
Conservation
—By Harvey Trop For some people, there’s nothing better than a tropical beach vacation. The broad expanse of sand and surf, along with a pleasant breeze—especially appealing during the cold, rainy or snowy months in the U.S. and Canada—can be irresistible.
Conservation
By Alix Morris and Dr. Stan Rullman As darkness settles over the forest, tiny owls emerge from the shadows. Their soft-edged wings move silently through the trees as they search for prey.
African Safaris
On the northern edge of Kenya’s Greater Maasai Mara, a powerful restoration effort is reshaping a once-degraded landscape. At Enarau Conservancy, eroded gullies are stabilizing, native trees are returning and wildlife is reappearing in areas where it has vanished.
Conservation
At first light on the Yarapa River, participants gather along the deck of a restored wooden riverboat, notebooks in hand, ready to record the first data of the day. Macaw pairs lift from their roosts, primate calls reverberate across the canopy and the soft exhalation of pink and gray river dolphins breaks the river’s surface.
Europe
How a close encounter with killer whales sparked a lifelong love of conservation—and could inspire yours. Maddy LePage grew up in Maine with a love for the outdoors but now lives in Minneapolis, where she still seeks experiences that take her beyond the everyday.
