Earthwatch Will Resume Operations in Kenya

Earthwatch Advisory on Armenia

Thursday 6 March, 2008

Earthwatch is closely monitoring the situation and plans to run all scheduled teams on the Armenia's Architectural Heritage project in 2008.

Earthwatch Institute, Maynard, MA, March 6, 2008 - A state of emergency was declared by the Armenian government on the 1st of March, following 11 days of civil unrest, due to disputes over the presidential elections held on the February 19, 2008. The state of emergency is due to be lifted by the government on March 20^th.

Since the violence started in Yerevan, Earthwatch has been monitoring the situation closely. Currently, both the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the US State Department have not advised against travel to Yerevan or the area of Gumri, the site of the Earthwatch project Armenia's Architectural Heritage. Earthwatch plans to run all five scheduled teams in 2008, with the first team beginning on June 14^th.

As always, safety is our primary concern. We are in direct contact with our project staff in Armenia who will continue to provide updates on the situation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and respond as appropriate to further developments.

Earthwatch cannot guarantee anyone's safety completely. Natural and political disasters can and do happen without warning. Volunteers should read Project Briefings thoroughly and think carefully about their personal comfort level with the field conditions of the project, the volunteer tasks and their own physical and mental capabilities. We encourage volunteers to educate themselves about current conditions in Armenia by consulting the following resources:

United States State Department: Armenia

Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Armenia

If you have booked an Earthwatch expedition and would like to speak to an advisor please call 1-800-776-0188.

For press information please contact Kristen Kusek, Public Relations Director, 1-800-776-0188 x281, kkusek@earthwatch.org.

Notes to Editors
Earthwatch Institute is the world's largest environmental volunteer nonprofit organization. Its mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch was founded in Boston in 1971 and affiliate offices are based in the UK, Australia, and Japan. With approximately 120 projects fielding in more than 55 countries worldwide, Earthwatch focuses its research efforts on climate change, endangered species and resources, marine biology and ocean conservation, and threatened traditional cultures.