Crew of Darwin-inspired expedition recognized by Prince Edward
The Final Sail of the Oosterschelde: A Celebration of Global Conservation
The historic Dutch tall ship, Oosterschelde, is set to embark on a final "Victory Voyage" up the Thames later this month, marking the conclusion of the landmark DARWIN200 Global Voyage. The vessel will be joined by dignitaries, Darwin Leaders, and project partners for a celebration before setting sail.
The DARWIN200 Global Voyage, a two-year conservation mission launched in August 2023, has been an ambitious endeavour. Tracing the route of Charles Darwin's historic voyage aboard HMS Beagle, the Oosterschelde covered over 43,000 nautical miles and docked at 31 ports across five continents.
During its journey, the Oosterschelde served as a floating classroom and research hub, offering a platform for education to over 105 emerging conservationists from 45 countries. Known as Darwin Leaders, these individuals conducted vital studies on endangered species and ecosystems in locations like the Galápagos, Brazil's Atlantic rainforest, and St Helena.
The voyage also connected classrooms and communities worldwide to real-time conservation research and updates. Through weekly online lectures, quizzes, experiments, and live broadcasts, the DARWIN200 Global Voyage engaged nearly 193 schoolchildren and students, offering them a unique opportunity to learn about conservation first-hand.
Prince Edward's royal visit to the Oosterschelde today at Port Pendennis Marina in Falmouth marks the final public milestone of the DARWIN200 Global Voyage. The choice of Falmouth is symbolic, as it was the return port of Darwin's original voyage in 1836, marking a significant moment in scientific history.
Following this event, the Oosterschelde will embark on a "Victory Voyage" sailing up the Thames River toward London later in July 2025. This final leg represents a ceremonial conclusion to DARWIN200’s expedition, celebrating its success and the legacy of scientific exploration and conservation advocacy that mirrors Darwin’s historic contributions.
References: [1] DARWIN200 Global Voyage Press Release [2] Falmouth University News [4] BBC News
- In the final stretch of the DARWIN200 Global Voyage, a quiz was conducted weekly, offering students an interactive learning experience about global conservation.
- The environmental-science studies conducted by the Darwin Leaders, who hail from 45 countries, encompassed research on endangered species and ecosystems across the world.
- As the Oosterschelde docked at Pendennis Marina in Falmouth, who happened to be present was Prince Edward, showing his support for the national and international efforts towards health-and-wellness and conservation.
- The voyage's educational outreach expanded beyond the DARWIN200 project partners to include the US, PTI (presumably a country or organization), and beyond, engaging nearly 193 schoolchildren and students in science and conservation.
- Future generations might follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, inspired by the fitness-and-exercise driven expedition of the Oosterschelde, key to understanding and preserving our world's environmental-science and diversity.
