Press Releases

Wanted: The World’s Top Young Conservationists!

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for environmental superstars aged 18 and 28 to gain practical experience studying conservation subjects, receive world-class mentorship, and upskill to take forward their careers and inspire solutions to our planet’s biggest environmental challenges. rnrnApplications to become a ‘Darwin Leader’ are open – only 200 places available. Costs for participation covered by DARWIN200.rnrnApply here u003ca href=u0022darwin200.com/leader-applicationu0022u003edarwin200.com/leader-applicationu003c/au003e

u0022I believe that this project is tremendously important. It comes at the right time. We all know we’re in the midst of the sixth great extinction with a lot of doom and gloom about the problems facing the environment, climate change and loss of biodiversity. This voyage will give many people an opportunity to see there is still time to make change. We all have a role to play. We can all help make a difference. But for those young environmentalists who are selected, this is an incredible opportunity to become real leaders that protect the planet and the environment for future generations.

Dame Jane Goodall, Patron of DARWIN200

Background

DARWIN200 is an extraordinary opportunity to harness the legacy of Charles Darwin, inspire passion for nature and advance conservation efforts across the globe. rnrnThe DARWIN200 ‘Global Voyage’ sets sail from Plymouth, England in August 2023 on a two-year expedition on board the historic tall ship Oosterschelde. The route will retrace Charles Darwin’s route over the globe, which famously sparked a paradigm shift over two centuries ago. rnrnIn each of the 32 port stops along the way, some of the world’s top young conservationists will be given an opportunity to join in for a week to gain practical experience studying conservation subjects, to up-skill and develop new abilities to take forward for their careers. These Darwin Leaders will be hosted aboard Oosterschelde, which will be used as a floating laboratory and media platform. rnrnFor successful applicants the placement project involves studying an animal or plant that Charles Darwin studied in the port they visit and its connection to the local and global environment and other topics. These topics will be selected from the amazing conservation projects we’re partnered with in each port. Darwin Leaders will produce a film, photo essay and report from their study experience under the guidance of experienced local conservation organisations and world class international conservationists.

Ports along the DARWIN200 route include: rnrnThe route: Plymouth, Great-Britain u003e Tenerife, Spain u003e Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde u003e Fernando de Noronha, Brazil u003e Salvador de Bahía, Brazil u003e Rio de Janeiro, Brazil u003e Montevideo, Uruguay u003e Buenos Aires, Argentina u003e Puerto Santa Cruz, Argentina u003e Stanley/Las Malvinas u003e Punta Arenas, Argentina u003e Concepción, Chile u003e Valparaíso, Chile u003e Callao, Peru u003e Puerto Lucia, Ecuador u003e Galápagos Islands, Ecuador u003e Rapa Nui/Easter Island, Chile u003e Mangareva, French Polynesia u003e Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia u003e Rarotonga, Cook Islands u003e Tonga u003e Fiji u003e Auckland, New Zealand u003e Sydney, Australia u003e Hobart, Australia u003e Christchurch, New Zealand u003e Stanley/Las Malvinas u003e Cape Town, South Africa u003e Saint Helena, United Kingdom u003e Ascension Island, United Kingdom Horta, Azores, Portugal u003e Horta, Azores, Portugal u003e Falmouth, UK

Charles Darwin was only 22 when he set sail on his life-changing voyage in 1831, famously saying that it was by far the most important event in his life, determining his whole career. We wanted to create a similarly transformative experience for members of the public and 200 of the world’s brightest young environmentalists, who have the potential to be the STEM and conservation leaders of tomorrow and the catalysts to change the future of planet Earth for the better.

DARWIN200 Founder and Mission Director Stewart McPherson

To learn more about DARWIN200 read this recent article in the United Nations Chronicle and to apply to become a Darwin Leader click u003ca href=u0022https://darwin200.in-beta7.co.uk/leader-application/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022u003ehereu003c/au003ernrnApplications are open! rnrnDARWIN200 Ltd and Shipping Company Oosterschelde are both not-for-profit organisations. Darwin Leader places are fully hosted by DARWIN200 and supported by fundraising, grants and sponsorship.

For our press kit, interviews, images, videos please contact Larissa Clark on u003ca href=u0022mailto:press@darwin200.in-beta7.co.uku0022u003epress@darwin200.in-beta7.co.uku003c/au003e