Earthwatch Institute presented its 2003 Earthwatch Conservation Award to Dr. Richard Leakey, world-renowned paleoanthropologist, conservationist, public servant, and humanitarian, at its annual conference on November 8, 2003. Also honored at the event, held at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was actor Sam Waterston and educator Dr. Sheldon Berman.
The conference, titled "Making Connections for a Sustainable Future," drew more than 350 participants, a record attendance, including nearly 100 educators for a special "Educator Track" series of workshops. Attendees enjoyed posters and presentations by 95 Earthwatch- supported researchers from 20 countries around the world, representing research topics from archaeology to zoology.
"Earthwatch is all about bringing people together," said Dr. Marie Studer, chief science officer at Earthwatch Institute. "We support solution-based scientific field research, but it is our engagement of public participation that brings research alive and promotes positive change for a sustainable environment. This conference is a microcosm of that dynamic."
Sam Waterston and Roger Bergen
A highlight of the conference was a special guest lecture by Dr. Richard Leakey, who served as Director of the National Museums of Kenya for 20 years and put a halt to elephant poaching as director of the Kenya Wildlife Service. Named as one of TIME's 100 Greatest Minds of the Century, Leakey remains one of the foremost authorities on wildlife conservation. He implored attendees in the standing-room-only auditorium to think realistically about wildlife conservation in the face of rising poverty, and aired his idea to launch an international endowment to support Kenyan parks.
"There is a real crisis for conservation," said Leakey, specifically addressing Earthwatch-supported scientists in the audience. "It is all very well to do research on wildlife, but what are you doing to assure that wildlife is still there to do research on in 50 years?" he added, resonating with Earthwatch's new emphasis on research with conservation outcomes.
Leakey received the Earthwatch Conservation Award at the first annual Earthwatch Institute Benefit Dinner, on the evening of November 8, attended by a sell-out crowd of 250. The event was hosted by Master of Ceremonies John Heminway, Emmy-award winning writer, director, and producer, and included the recognition two other public leaders for their contributions in public engagement and education.
Celebrated actor Sam Waterston, star of The Killing Fields and new movie The Commission, was honored at the dinner for his use of the media to engage the public in important social issues. Dr. Sheldon Berman, superintendent of schools in Hudson, Massachusetts, received the Education Award for his efforts to systematically change how science is taught, incorporating more inquiry-based studies such as those supported by Earthwatch.
The conference also featured an "Educator Track," where teachers from across the country shared exciting new curricula, on-line resources, and local research activities based on their Earthwatch experiences. Two Brazilian participants in Earthwatch's Pantanal Conservation Research Initiative, Mariza Correa da Silva and Maria (Duca) do Carmo Santos of Conservation International, shared their insights from cross-cultural programs with U.S. and Brazilian teachers and students in the Pantanal.
"The Educator Track provided a forum for educators that are eager to share how Earthwatch education fellowships have enriched their classroom activities, their course content, even their outlook on education," said Susan Rauchwerk, director of education at Earthwatch Institute. "Through the inspiration of these teachers, Earthwatch is inspiring tomorrow's leaders to take action for a sustainable environment."
Susan Rauchwerk at the Educator Track
Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization that supports scientific field research by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.
Earthwatch Institute is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific field research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers. The Institute's mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.