Botswana: Nesting sanctuary for crocodiles established
In 2005, research from Earthwatch teams prompted the government of Botswana to establish a nesting sanctuary for the Nile crocodile. The sanctuary is to be situated in a part of the river away from human disturbance.
Kenya: Innovative Monitoring of Lions
In 2005, Earthwatch teams pioneered the use of special tracking collars on lions allowing the teams to collect detailed information about lion movements around Tsavo national parks. This work has potential practical implications for mitigating the conflict between lions and cattle station owners in the area.
South Africa: Monitoring Penguins
2005 saw the successful trials of an automated recognition system for penguins on Robben Island in South Africa. By monitoring the thousands of penguins on the island, Earthwatch teams are helping to measure the impact of tourism, fishing and oil spills for conservation purposes.
USA: Protecting Marine Mammals
After Earthwatch scientists drew attention to a mass stranding of 17 cetaceans in the Bahamas, the United States Navy admitted that sonar tests caused fatal trauma in the marine mammals and planned policies to prevent such injuries.
Cameroon: Uncovering New Plant Species
A decade-long botanical study, assisted by more than three hundred Earthwatch volunteers in the highland forests of Cameroon has discovered fifty endemic plant and fungi species and varieties new to science. The documentation of the rare and endemic plants that remain in these dwindling forest habitats provides vital data for conservation management.
USA: New Legislation to Protect Coastlines
Evidence collected by Earthwatch volunteers, working with Dr. Steve Leatherman on Cape Cod and Fire Island, contributed to the U.S. Congress passing the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to protect barrier islands.
Peru: Discovering New Species
Earthwatch teams working in the rainforest canopy found the area brimming with so much evidence of biodiversity that most scientists have now revised their estimates for the number of species of life from 1.5 million upward to 30 million.
Indonesia and Kenya: Reducing Greenhouse Gases
Earthwatch volunteers have helped villagers in Kenya and Indonesia learn to build solar ovens, reversing deforestation, curbing the production of carbon dioxide and stemming the death toll caused by smoke inhalation from indoor cooking fires.