Earthwatch honoured to be named as beneficiary of Royal Wedding Charitable Gift Fund
Media Release
17 March 2011
Australian-based environmental organisation Earthwatch is one of 26 charities selected by Prince William and Miss Middleton to receive donations in lieu of wedding gifts for the royal couple’s wedding in April, St James’s Palace announced today.
Richard Gilmore, Executive Director of Earthwatch Australia, said the nomination was a great boost to Earthwatch in its 40th anniversary year.
“It will generate awareness for Earthwatch’s citizen science programs which bring together volunteers from the community to work side-by side with scientists on research projects worldwide,” he said.
With the number of natural disasters such as floods and fires happening in the world - which Prince William will soon be visiting in Victoria - tracking and recording data is becoming an increasingly valuable part of environmental science activities.
“Volunteers help scientists by conducting biodiversity surveys and installing traps, surveying animals at night with a spotlight, deploying camera traps to identify and determine the population of animals, radio tracking animals and many other research tasks that involve collecting and recording data.
“Being involved with the scientists and their research creates a unique rite of environmental passage which people regard as a life-changing experience,” he said.
Earthwatch, with more than 60 expeditions to choose from in Australia and across the world, provides rare access to unique areas where people not only observe but actually take part in and contribute to the scientific research to preserve animals and habitats.
Since 1971, more than 96,000 volunteers have contributed millions of hours to scientific research projects around the globe. Earthwatch’s research portfolio—addressing ocean conservation, climate change, ecosystem management and preservation of cultural heritage—includes a robust program specifically for teachers, students and teenagers.
A share of the funds raised through donations from wedding guests and members of the public to the Royal Wedding Charitable Fund, will be donated to Earthwatch in support of the charity’s educational programs.
Donations can be made via the website http://www.royalweddingcharityfund.org which includes a full list of the charities to benefit, personally chosen by Prince William and Miss Middleton.
Earthwatch 2011 Expedition Guide
Earthwatch has been selected as a beneficiary of Prince William and Miss Middleton's royal wedding charity fund.
Please visit http://www.royalweddingcharityfund.org if you would like to make a donation.
Press contact
Sara Davis - Earthwatch PR Manager
sdavis@earthwatch.org.au
Ph: 03 9682 6828
Mobile: 0421 357 354
Earthwatch Australia’s work is recognised with The Prime Minister’s Award for Australian Environmentalist of the Year 2009 for outstanding achievement at a national and international level.
Notes to editors
Founded in 1971, Earthwatch is an international environmental organisation whose mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Our vision is a world in which we live within our means and in balance with nature.
Earthwatch currently supports 61 environmental research projects in 29 countries by providing funds and paying volunteers who work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. In the past 40 years, Earthwatch volunteers have contributed over 10 million hours to essential fieldwork.
To ensure our research addresses pressing global environmental issues, Earthwatch preferentially funds projects that fit the focus of one or more of the following priority research areas: ecosystem services, climate change, oceans and cultural heritage.
Media coverage
1. Aussie charity benefits from Royal Wedding - 9News
17 March 2011... Australian organisation Earthwatch is one of 26 charities selected by Prince William and Catherine Middleton to receive donations...
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8224956/aussie-charity-benefits-from-royal-wedding
2. Royal wedding benefits Aussie charity - Sky News
17 March 2011 ... Australian organisation Earthwatch is one of 26 charities selected by Prince William and Catherine Middleton to receive donations...
http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=589789&vId=
3. William and Kate ask for charity donations - Daily Telegraph
17 March 2011 ... Prince William and Catherine Middleton asked today for anyone intending to send them wedding gifts to instead give money to charity...
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/william-and-kate-ask-for-charity-donations/story-e6freuyi-1226022889805
4. Aussie charity benefits from Royal Wedding - Biz AnyWare
17 March 2011 ...
http://www.bizanyware.com.au/news.asp
5. Aussie charity benefits from Royal Wedding - AAP Newswire
17 March 2011
AAP Newswire
6. Aussie charity benefits from Royal Wedding - Google News
17 March 2011
http://news.google.com.au/
7. Aussie charity benefits from Royal Wedding - RSS News
17 March 2011
http://rssnews.com.au/national/
8. Aussie charity winner in Royal wedding - Big Pond News
17 March 2011... Australian organisation Earthwatch is one of 26 charities selected by Prince William and Catherine Middleton to receive donations...
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/National/2011/03/17/Aussie_charity_winner_in_Royal_wedding_589835.html
9. Flying doctors honoured with royal gift - World News Australia
17 March 2011... Australians who decide to send the royal couple a wedding gift will also be helping Australian charities....
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1501697/Flying-doctors-honoured-with-royal-gift
10. Earthwatch beneficiary of royal wedding fund - Pro bono Australia
17 March 2011 ...Australian organisation Earthwatch is one of 26 charities selected by Prince William and Catherine Middleton to receive donations...
http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2011/03/earthwatch-beneficiary-royal-wedding-fund
11. William and Kate ask well-wishers to donate to list of charities - Leader Post
16 March 2011 ... With their linen-and-china needs presumably well covered, Prince William and Kate Middleton have set up a charitable gift fund for those seeking a way to celebrate their April 29 wedding...
http://www.leaderpost.com/life/Prince+William+Kate+Middleton+royal+wedding+charity+fund/4449540/story.html