Exceptional Darwin Leaders to drive global change over the coming decades
CHANGE THE WORLD
Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery to re-trace Charles Darwin’s voyage around the globe.
CHANGE THE WORLD
Join us as we embark on a journey of discovery to re-trace Charles Darwin’s voyage around the globe.
OUR MISSION
DARWIN200 is a planetary conservation initiative which aims to change the world for the better.
We are sailing a historic tallship around the world following Charles Darwin’s voyage aboard HIMS Beagle two centuries ago.
Using our ship as a floating laboratory and media platform, we will harness the legacy of Charles Darwin’s passion for natural history to engage worldwide audiences and advance global conservation.
Discover our project goals below & join our mission.
Where are we on our Global Voyage?
Our journey will consist of 32 voyage legs and we will be making landfall at key locations where Charles Darwin stepped ashore. But where are we now….
50.3755° N, 4.1427° W
DEPARTED
15th AUG
2023
FROM
PLYMOUTH UK
EMPOWER
Train exceptional DARWIN, LEADERS, one from each of 200 countries and states around the world. These young conservationists will become tomorrow’s environmental leaders.
INSPIRE
Create the WORLD’S MOST EXCITING CLASSROOM to reconnect global audiences with nature, science and conservation.
solve
Undertake citizen science RESEARCH PROJECTS tackling many of the world’s most critical environmental problems to engage global audiences in practical solutions.
DARWIN Leaders
DARWIN200 is selecting the world’s top young (18+ year old) conservationists – one from each of two hundred countries and states around the world.
These exceptional young conservationists (known as ‘Darwin Leaders’) are carefully chosen for their abilities, initiative and determination. Many have already accomplished inspiring conservation feats (such as setting up projects to save endangered species or efforts to educate audiences in their home countries). All show the raw, burning passion to protect the natural world and drive positive change for a better future.
From August 2023 to July 2025, groups of 4-8 Darwin Leaders will travel to our ship in each of the ports Charles Darwin visited, using our ship as a floating laboratory and media platform.
World’s Most Exciting Classroom
During the DARWIN200 2023-2025 Global Voyage, our goal is to engage with millions of students at schools across the planet via continuous streams of free online activities, research projects, experiments, lectures, competitions and weekly ‘nature hour’ events.
We call these outreach activities ‘the world’s most exciting classroom’.
All our outreach activities will be completely free of charge for students, teachers and the general public. Our goal is to engage 200 million students worldwide during our two-year global voyage and for years to come.
Research
In continuation of Charles Darwin’s work aboard HMS Beagle, the DARWIN200 ship will offer a unique platform to support 8 research projects into many of the world’s most critical environmental problems. Results will be displayed via live data feeds, results presentations, online lectures and interviews with the professional teams of researchers behind each initiative.
12.02.1809 – 19.04.1882
CHARLES DARWIN
In 1831, at the age of 22, Charles Darwin stepped aboard HMS Beagle in Plymouth, England to being a five year journey around the world. DARWIN200 builds on Charles Darwin’s legacy to educate global audiences about the threats our planet faces and the inspiring conservation work that can save the natural world.
FACTS &
FIGURES
Reaching 200 million students worldwide
Historic tall ship Oosterschelde
Voyage Legs
Interactive Citizen Science Research Projects
Voyage starts
The Global Voyage will be undertaken aboard the historic 50 metre long tall ship Oosterschelde. Built in 1918, this uniquely restored, three masted schooner is one of the most beautiful historic vessels afloat.
press releases
🌊 Each port that we visit has a completely different character. Some are remote islands with only a few inhabitants, others are large bustling cities with millions of people.
📍Since setting sail from Plymouth we have visited over 25 different major ports from around there world. Each one, acting as a new hub to host new Darwin Leaders.
What a privilege it is to always be welcomed with warm hearts and curiosity, a new opportunity to share our mission with individuals from all over the world.
Thank you to everyone who we have met along the way for being part of DARWIN200.
Do you know what the largest natural port is in the world?
Let us know below!
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #worldvoyage #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #conservation #exploretheworld #globalvoyage #historicjourney #sailingexperience
Join us for Episdoe 70 of the World`s Most Exciting Classroom! 🌍
Get ready for another thrilling episode this Thursday, February 6th at 2 PM UK / 9 AM Eastern!
Watch live or later via the link in our bio.
What’s in store this week?
🌊 Live from the Oosterschelde! Tom & Mara update us on their stormy Pacific crossing.
Meet Sandra Guy! A Sydney Wildlife Rescue volunteer who raises orphaned flying-fox pups – meet some of her rescues!
Conservation in action! A Darwin Leader shares their experiences from the field.
Hands-on experiment! A fun science activity to try in your classroom.
Kahoot challenge! Win a $50 gift card for your class!
Curiosity of the Week! And so much more!
Don’t miss out! Tag a fellow educator and get ready for an adventure! 🚢
#Darwin200 #WorldsMostExcitingClassroom #ScienceAdventure
Natural selection is the mechanism by which organisms that are better adapted to their surroundings are more likely to survive and therefore pass on their genes to their offspring, leading to a population gradually evolving to express those advantageous characteristics
Both Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace came up with this idea, publishing it in 1858.
Natural selection is often explained by the term ‘survival of the fittest’. However, this can bring misconceptions, as some people may interpret “fittest” to mean the best individual, in terms of health and shape, that is able to survive. But when Darwin used the term, he meant “fittest” to mean the individual/s best suited for the immediate environment.
Can you think of any examples of natural selection?
Let us know below!
#darwin200 #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #conservation #exploretheworld #historicjourney
With only 2000 miles left of our 7000 mile voyage across the South Pacific, we only have about 2 weeks of sailing left.
After settling into the rhythm of living at sea days seem to roll into the next – 5 weeks at sea has gone by in a heartbeat.
From what might seem as a monotonous journey has actually been full of variety with no day being exactly like the last. One morning may be perfectly calm with whales coming to say hello, followed by the clearest night sky permeated with stars. The next day, strong winds arrive and all hands are on deck to change the sails.
There is also plenty of time with not a lot to do. But, where better than the middle of the ocean to contemplating, read, or simply take in the expanse of the open ocean.
We still have some challenges ahead, namely the Drake Passage, one of the most notorious bodies of water in the world. But, once through the passage and around Cape Horn we will be back in the Atlantic Ocean – where we haven’t been for over 12 months. A reminder !
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #adventureawaits #conservation #globalvoyage #exploretheworld #historicjourney #sailingexperience
Nautical mile…. Mile… What’s the difference? Is there a difference?
Yes, there is a difference. While 1 miles equates to ~1609 metres, 1 nautical mile is 1852 metres.
The statue mile evolved from the Roman mile – defined as 1000 paces of a Roman solider. This later standardised to 5280 feet in England. This unit worked fine for a long time as distances over land didn’t need to account for the Earth’s curvature.
However, since sailors needed to navigate across the global, they needed to factor in the Earth’s curvature to ensure accurate navigation.
The nautical mile was officially standardised in 1929, but the origins of this unit date all the way back to the 17th century.
Did you know there was a difference?
Species Spotlight! Rarotonga Fruit Dove 💚
Natural History:
The Rarotonga Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus rarotongensis) is a medium-sized pigeon endemic to the South Pacific Island of Rarotonga and nearby Aitu in the Cook Islands.
Feeding on native fruits like figs and berries, these doves are key seed distributors crucial for maintaining the health of their rainforest habitat.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Major threats include deforestation, invasive species like rats and mongooses that prey on the dove`s eggs, and the growing impacts of climate change.
With only around 1,500 individuals in the wild today, this species is particularly vulnerable to extinction if new threats should arise or worsen.
Conservation Efforts
Conservationists are actively working to protect the remaining forest habitats on Rarotonga and restore areas that have been degraded.
Predator control programs are being implemented to reduce the threat posed by invasive species, and local communities are getting involved in efforts to protect the dove.
There is also growing support for eco-tourism on the island, which helps fund conservation initiatives while raising awareness about this incredible bird.
Photo credit: Grant Terrell
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #speciesspotlight
48 hours ago we were in Force 10 (89-102 kph winds) and up to 10 metres waves, with one sail up. Now we are currently in calm waters with almost all sails up. It is incredible how quickly the conditions at sea can change.
Charles Darwin, was also no stranger to storms at sea, writing in his diary – during his own rounding of Cape Horn:
“The gale does not abate: if the Beagle was not an excellent sea-boat & our tackle in good condition, we should be in distress…. The worst part of the business is our not exactly knowing our position: it has an awkward sound to hear the officers repeatedly telling the look out man to look well to leeward. “
We were very aware of the presence and omnipotence of the weather around us. But, luckily, onboard have the benefits of modern navigational technology making ocean voyaging much safer.
Darwin continues with:
“Our horizon was limited to a small compass by the spray carried by the wind:—the sea looked ominous, there was so much foam that it resembled a dreary plain covered by patches of drifted snow. — Whilst we were heavily labouring, it was curious to see how the Albatross with its widely expanded wings, glided right up the wind. — “
We could not describe the visuals better ourselves, here, Darwin, perfectly portrays the landscape that also engulfed us. Many making the exact observation of the Albatross. While the Oosterschelde was being taken downwind by the waves and 50knot winds, the Albatross, nonchalantly sailed at great speeds against it.
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #dutchtallship #oosterschelde #worldvoyage #historicvoyage #charlesdarwin #darwin #sailing #capehorn
30000 miles, 17 months sailing and nearly 100 Darwin Leader projects, we have been lucky to have had countless amazing wildlife encounters.
Only a few days from leaving Plymouth we saw a Northern Fin Whale (the second largest whale on earth).
This was then followed by a White-faced storm petrel falling into our shower overnight, which, ornothologist @granttoinette then safely released.
In Tenerife, we filmed Pilot Whales – which dive to 1000 metres!
When we reached Cape Verde we documented the Santa Luzia Mountain Lizard – which was presumed lost only until recently.
And in Rio, the bright orange Golden Lion Tamarin captured everyone’s hearts.
Many incredible species like these worldwide are threatened and at risk of being lost – we are always inspired by the young conservationist and NGO’s who dedicate their lives to protecting and rescuing species from the brink of extinction.
What is your favourite animal or plant?
Let us know below
Stay tuned to see more of our wildlife highlights!
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #charlesdarwin #sailingadventure #conservation #adventureawaits #exploretheworld #globalvoyage #historicjourney
We all knew it would come at some point, we were crossing the southern Pacific Ocean after all – one of the most notorious waters for storms. 🌊
But when it actually arrived, to be punched by a gust of 50 knot winds, almost knocked over by a blue wave crashing over deck, hammered by a hailstorm. You really get to experience first hand the force of nature.
Despite only having one, small sail hoisted we were making speeds over 7 knots – which gives you a sense of the power behind the wind and waves.💨
Occasionally, you would get a freak large wave, which hits the ship just at the right angle to send a wall of water over the entire ship. Sometimes it hits when the ship is already at a steep list engulfing the leeward side of the ship, bringing water up to the knees of those standing at the helm – keep in mind this is usually 3m out the water!
For about 36 hours, we remained in the heart of these conditions. The crew of @dutchtallship Oosterschelde did an awesome job at keeping the ship and those onboard safe in such wild weather.
It is beginning to calm again, offering a well earned respite. We are left wondering what it must be like to experience this 100s of years ago.
What do you think Darwin thought of these conditions on the Beagle?
Let us know below!
Stay tuned for more wet and wild content!
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #worldvoyage #oosterschelde #dutchtallship #sailingadventure #charlesdarwin #conservation #adventureawaits #exploretheworld #historicjourney #sailingexperience
❄️ Braving the Cold at Sea! ⛵️🌊 The winds are biting, the chill is setting in, but nothing stops a true sailor! As we push onward toward the Falkland Islands, we’re layering up, staying active, dancing and keeping warm with plenty of hot drinks and good company.
Sailing isn’t just about sunshine and smooth seas, it’s about embracing every challenge the ocean throws our way. Through the cold and the spray, our crew, guests, and team are taking it all in stride, keeping spirits high and the adventure alive! ⚓️
#ColdWeatherSailing #OceanChallenge #TallShipAdventure #StayWarm #Darwin200
The last 2 days has been very action packed.
Around 72 hours ago we learnt about strong weather that we were heading straight for – forecast winds of up to 40 knots. 💨
Previously the forecast has been underestimating the winds, so we prepared for 50+ knots of wind – and good job we did!
Preparations began with battening down the battens, to further waterproof the ship in anticipation of large amount of water to be on deck. 🌊
We also attached the storm jib. A small area sail at the bow of the ship that will be hoisted in case the forestay sail breaks during the storm.
Further sea tightening of the ship was then undergone – stowing things away, attaching objects that aren’t attached etc. Large waves could bring a ship list of over 45° degrees, so anything that isn’t away or strapped down will fall down!
Safety lines were also attached to provide a physical connection point to the ship while travelling along the deck.
Stay tuned for content from the middle of the storm!
📸 @tomdixonfilm
#darwin200 #dutchtallship #oosterschelde #worldvoyage #capehorn #southpacific #oceanvoyage #storm
Join us for the next episode of the WORLD’S MOST EXCITING CLASSROOM! 🚨
📅 Tomorrow, Thursday, 30th January
🕑 2 PM UK | 9 AM Eastern
Watch live or later on YouTube via the link in our bio.
🌍 The Oosterschelde is in its 4th week sailing across the Pacific, and we’ve got an action-packed session:
– Live update from the ship with camera operator Tom & researcher Mara
– Explorer Club researchers Tim Lann & Chris Hull share how they mapped coral reefs with drones
– A new experiment you can try in your classroom
– Kahoot challenge – Win a gift card for your class!
– Curiosity of the Week
+ much more!
See you there!
#Darwin200 #LiveExploration #STEMeducation #worldsmostexcitingclassroom #oosterschelde
Towering waves, howling winds, and an unrelenting sea, this is sailing at its wildest! 🌪️ As we push through one of the world’s most notorious passages, the power of the ocean reminds us who’s really in charge. 🌊
Hold tight, next stop, the Falkland Islands! ⚓
#CapeHorn #SailingStorms #TallShipLife #OceanPower #Darwin200
🌎 On a global sailing voyage, the travel between destinations takes days, weeks, sometimes even months.
⛵️ After sailing for these long periods seeing nothing but ocean, it is always a special moment when you get that first glimpse of land on the horizon, and then you watch over the following hours, as you move closer, the land get bigger and the view clearer.
⚓️ When you finally arrive, the anchor dropped, or the lines thrown ashore, the voyage ends but this marks the beginning of the exploration of a new port. For us, Darwin200, this also marks the beginning of a Darwin Leader week, welcoming the young conservationists and meeting the inspiring local NGO’s.
Throughout our voyage so far we have visited over 25 different ports, each with their own unique character. Shown above is the first 12 ports of our trip. Stay tuned to see the rest!
#darwin200 #oosterschelde #sailingadventure #charlesdarwin #conservation #adventureawaits #globalvoyage
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