Microsoft Employees Engage in One-Day Earthwatch Expedition
This past April, Microsoft sent 15 employees from their leadership training group on a one-day Earthwatch Expedition to Paradise Wood in Oxfordshire, UK to collect data about climate change and forests.
The goal of this unique program was to empower Microsoft employees with the knowledge and support they need to deliver environmental sustainability action plans within Microsoft UK.
"Doing something about sustainability now feels like a personal imperative," said one participant, according to an anonymous survey. "I can see how I can make a difference and feel motivated and inspired to do so."
The pilot program went so well that Microsoft now hopes to send all 200 members of their leadership group to undertake similar research. Over the course of the coming year, Earthwatch will host 15 more one-day programs for Microsoft, culminating in a team-wide sustainability action plan that this group will take back to Microsoft headquarters in Reading, UK.
"Earthwatch is the first external organization that Microsoft has invited to provide environmental and sustainability opportunities for its employees, and we couldn't be more thrilled to work with such an engaged and dedicated group," said James Campbell, International Director of Corporate Development for Earthwatch.
Earthwatch's relationship with Microsoft has grown over the years. In 2011, Microsoft awarded Earthwatch a technology grant that has allowed Earthwatch to create a customized database, streamline its intranet, and launch a more robust and user-friendly website.
The success of this partnership can best be summed up by the words of another Microsoft employee who participated in the Paradise Wood experience, also anonymously: "We've got a significant issue on our hands [climate change], but by collectively making a small effort, we can make a big difference."
To learn more about Earthwatch's employee engagement and one-day field programs, please contact Patrick Manchon at
pmanchon@earthwatch.org.