Newswise — The National Geographic Society's Adventure publication has conducted the world's first large-scale rating of adventure tour operators, rating Earthwatch as the Number One Voluntourism outfitter from over 155 of the leading operators world-wide.
'The ADVENTURE Ratings' also awarded Earthwatch a 100% score in Education, the only outfitter to achieve such a rating. Earthwatch was second in Nature and Wildlife Expeditions and Price Range and sixth overall.
Being ranked well above most for-profit organizations was a pleasant acknowledgment for Earthwatch. Despite its focus on engaging people in scientific field research first and foremost, Earthwatch President and CEO, Edward Wilson, is thrilled with being recognized as a first-class outfitter.
"Being a nonprofit organization, it's really great to be acknowledged above organizations that are for-profit. It just goes to show that although we work on an extremely tight budget, we can still do incredible things for the environment," Wilson said.
You are not a tourist on an Earthwatch expedition. Earthwatch volunteers are hands-on with real scientific research, education and conservation, where all the skills you need are enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.
"These rankings show Earthwatch volunteers not only contribute directly toward environmental conservation and a sustainable future, but are also having a fantastic time by doing something different than your typical vacation," Wilson said.
With 120 research expeditions across 55 countries, Earthwatch also appears in National Geographic Adventure's 'Top 25 New Trips for 2008' with their Fiji's Ancient Seafarers expedition.
This expedition offers volunteers the chance to live and interact with local villagers while excavating sites in order to help reconstruct and understand the cultural history of the region.
For further information on expeditions or for a copy of the 2008 Expedition Guide, call 1-800-776-0081 or visit www.earthwatch.org.
Dates for Fiji's Ancient Seafarers are: Team #1 Nov 25 - 9 Dec, 2007 Team #2 Dec 9 - 23, 2007Team #3 Jan 6 - 20, 2008 Team #4 Jan 20 - Feb 3, 2008
Visit National Geographic Adventure's website for all results of 'The ADVENTURE Ratings' or purchase a copy of the magazine's November 2007 issue.
Earthwatch is an international not-for-profit organization that supports conservation research expeditions and education by enabling paying volunteers, educator and corporate fellows, and others to work alongside scientists, collecting valuable research data and promoting the understanding and action needed for a sustainable environment.
RSS