Impact Report 2023

2023IMPACTREPORT

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Copyright © Earthwatch Institute

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Photos: (c) Earthwatch Australia

Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure this publication is free from error and/or omission at the date of publication. The authors and any person involved in preparing this publication take no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person or organisation acting or refraining from action as a result of information contained in this publication Information contained in this report is accurate as at 30 December 2023, unless specifically stated otherwise.

ExecutiveSummary

AsIreflectontheyears’activities,Iamhumbledbythe extraordinaryimpactthatourstaff,participants,Fellows,Traditional Custodians,researchers,andpartnershaveachievedforscience,for communityandfortheenvironment.Individualsandorganisations havesteppeduptotakeevidence-ledactiontoconserveandprotect thenaturalworld

Forscienceandpolicy,ourPrincipalInvestigatorshavepublishedin prestigious journals, including the Journal of Applied Ecology on coral reef recovery efforts showing that sea-weeded coral reefs makeaspectacularrecoveryandisreadytoscale,andinScience, whereourconsortiumletterurgespartiestotheUNnegotiationson atreatytoendplasticpollutiontoplacebiodiversityandecosystems attheforefrontoftheirdiscussions.

Forcommunities,weareproudthatmorethan80%ofourprojects were conducted in marginalised, regional and remote areas of Australiain2023,andmorethan20,000youngpeopleparticipatedin Earthwatchprograms.

For the environment, Earthwatch citizen scientists have recorded morethan80,000speciesobservations,whileourbiodiversityfield work has surveyed land estates in excess of 14M hectares (our Federal Government partners establish survey sites that best representthelandscapeswhosefloraandfaunawedocument).

Since2010,1,923speciesnewtosciencehavebeendocumented throughtheBushBlitzprogram,withEarthwatchFellowsassisting taxonomiststodiscover70newspeciesin2023

Anotherhighlightof2023waswelcomingnewpartnerswhoinvestin ourprograms ThankyoutotheVincentFairfaxFamilyFoundation for backing young people in regional Australia through our new program, Agents of Change for the Environment; Brother International,fortheirsupportoftheEarthwatchmissionandTiny Forests; and Bupa has engaged Earthwatch as a Healthy Cities partner.WethankBrotherandBupaforhelpingusestablishnewTiny Forestsandcommunityscienceprograms

Inaneraofrapidglobalchange,Earthwatch'smissionisvital.We mobilize diverse individuals from different sectors to work with scientiststodeliverhighimpactenvironmentaloutcomes.Ourcitizen sciencemodelfocussescommunities’effortstoidentifythevalues wewanttoprotectandtoobservechangesandemergingthreats,so wecaneffectivelyconserve,protectandrestoretheecosystemswe relyonusingrigorousevidence-basedapproaches.Yet,oursuccess relies on our donors, partners and volunteer support. Your involvement is crucial, whether you participating in our programs, bookexpeditions,oryouarefunders,sponsorsanddonors Thank youforyourunwaveringcommitmenttoourmission

OurMission

To empower people to save the natural world.

OurRoots

Earthwatch is an international non-profit, founded in Boston, USA, 1971. Earthwatch pioneered collaboration between scientists, volunteers and communities and continues to drive meaningful behaviour change, with citizen science at its core.

OurModel

Our citizen science model empowers behavioural change, enabling a more sustainable society. Earthwatch participants collect data alongside renowned scientists to drive conservation efforts, sustainable choices, and lifelong environmental stewardship.

OurVision

Working together to create a society that lives in balance with nature

FocusAreas

Wetlands

Wetlands are of critical importance to the environment, providing a range of ecological, economic, and social benefits. Wetlands cover approximately6%ofAustalia'slandmassandarevitalascarbonsinks, for water quality, storm surge and flood control. They are critical habitats for bird and aquatic species. Australian wetlands have significant cultural and spiritual importance to Indigenous communities, who have been managing them sustainably for thousandsofyears.

Climate

Climate action is critically important for Australia and the world at large. The country is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe storms, cyclones, droughts, heatwaves, and bushfires. These events have devastating consequences for the environment, people's health, and the economy. Climate action is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limitglobalwarmingtopreventtheworstimpactsofclimatechange.

Championingimpactfulresearch,actionand educationacrosskeyenvironmentalareas

Reefs&Oceans

From biodiversity and food supply to the livelihoods of millions, so much depends on our oceans. However, the health of our reefs and oceans is declining with rising sea surface temperatures and acidification, overfishing, coral bleaching events, and marine plastic pollution.Thecombinedimpactoftheseproblemsisshiftingourocean ecosystemsintounrecognisablestates.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the very fabric of the Earth. It is diversity in plants and animals that enables ecosystems to function. Yet, one eighth of the world’sspecies–morethanamillion–arethreatenedwithextinction. Thegreatestthreatsfacingourplantsandanimalsarechangesinland and sea use; direct exploitation of organisms; climate change; pollution;andinvasionofweedandferalspecies.

Weachieveimpactthrougheducatingandworkingwith:

We co-develop interdisciplinary programs which target material global issues Business Government

Community

We collaborate across Traditional Owner groups, community groups, social enterprises, NGOs, and other charities

We work with local, state and federal governments on the highest priority environmental research

EducationalInstitutions

We upskill and support schools, teachers, and students to become environmental stewards through our bespoke programs

We deliver scholarship programs, citizen science programs and educational experiences TrustsandFoundations

Individuals

We develop scientific expeditions for people to reconnect with nature and work with experts to protect our biosphere

Impactata Glance

2023 saw continued positive impact and important milestones across our ongoing initiatives and programs. We are thrilled to share a snapshot of some outcomes that our team, partners, participants, and collaborators have contributed to over the course of the year.

Peoplepower

27,441 citizensciencehours

Adultpeerlearning

3,441 participants

Youthleaders

20,992 participants Environmental actionprojects

119

1,425,920 Hectaressurveyed

Meaningful engagement

81% of projects worked in marginalised, regional & remote areas

65% of experiences incorporating First Nations engagement

Speciesobservations bycitizenscientists

81,997

BenthicCommunity datapointscaptured

545,000

Walkinginstepwith TraditionalCustodians

As we face ongoing threats to our planet's natural capital, Earthwatch acknowledges the essential work of Traditional Custodians who are active stewards of 80% of earth’s remaining biodiversity. Earthwatch works in partnership with Traditional Custodians, Aboriginal Corporations and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to support their goalstoprotecttheenvironmentandculturalheritageacrossAustralia, prioritising Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge in conservation and adaptive management efforts. One of our successful endeavours, Indigenous-led Wetlands Management Plans, forms part of Earthwatch’s strategic priorities, Protecting Wetlands for the Future. One of the partners we’ve walked in step with since 2021 is the Yuku BajaMulikuIndigenousLandandSeaRangers,tosupporttheirgoalto protect and enhance the ecological, economic, social and cultural values of mangrove and saltmarsh habitats in the Yuku Baja (Annan River)estuarynearCooktown,Qld.

The Yuku Baja Muliku Traditional Owners tell us that the mangroves and saltmarsh in the Yuku Baja estuary form part of their identity, connecting land to the sea and supporting traditional fisheries-based livelihoods. The wetlands provide protection for culturally significant adjacent seagrass habitats and associated dugongs and sea turtles and are of regional and global importance, protecting and supporting theecologicalandeconomicvaluesoftheadjacentGreatBarrierReef.

Tidal wetlands habitats, like those in the Yuku Baja estuary, are increasinglythreatenedbyclimatechangeandhumanpressures.The

degradation and loss of these wetlands threaten traditional practices and the cultural identity of Yuku Baja Muliku peoples who rely on healthywetlandlandscapes.

Protecting and restoring the ecological, economic, and cultural values of tidal wetlands is necessary to preserve the unique cultural and ecological values for the long-term benefit of Traditional Owners and communities. Indigenous-led tidal wetland management is a critical steptowardsaddressinghuman-causedthreatstothetidalwetlandsto ensure that these coastal habitats can withstand the ongoing and futurepressuresofclimatechange.

After listening and learning, together we established survey sites and trained the Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers in MangroveWatch methods for ongoing monitoring of their tidal wetlands and saltmarsh . After three (3)yearsofdatacollectionbytheRangersandanalysedbyEarthwatch, in 2023 we worked with Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers and Elders to develop an Indigenous-led Tidal Wetland Management Plan for the Yuku Baja (Annan River) estuary that outlines a set of prioritised actionable measures that the Yuku Baja Muliku Land and Sea Rangers willl undertake to safeguard the ecological and cultural significance of thetidalwetlandsonCountry.ThisIndigenous-ledmanagementplanis the result of a multi-year collaborative and participatory process that brought together three knowledge systems: Western Science, Local Knowledge,andTraditionalEcologicalKnowledge.

The resulting Yuku Baja Muliku Tidal Wetland Management Plan is not justaboutpreservingtheenvironment;itisaboutpreservingculture.By protecting the key environmental values identified by the Yuku Baja Muliku Rangers and Elders, this Indigenous-led approach ensures that the tidal wetlands on Yuku Baja Muliku Country remain a source of prideandsustenanceforfuturegenerations.

Pictured: Leilani and Guai, Yuku Baja Muliku Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers surveying shoreline mangrove health along Yuku Baja (Annan River)

Increasingscientific knowledgetobetter managebiodiversity

BushBlitzisthelargestnaturediscoveryprojectofitskindintheworld –anambitiouspartnershipbetweentheAustralianGovernment,BHP and Earthwatch Australia. Created to protect Australia’s biodiversity and build resilience in our landscapes, Bush Blitz expeditions bring specialisttaxonomists,Indigenouscommunities,rangers,landholders, teachers,studentsandBHPemployeestogetherinsomeofAustralia’s mostremoteplaces,andgivesthemastructuredsharedresearchgoal -documentingAustralia’sbiodiversity-whileoutinthefieldtogether.

In2023,fourBushBlitzexpeditionswereconductedinEsperanceWA, GoldfieldsTjirwarlWA,KingIslandTASandtheAustralianAlps.

Since its beginning in 2010, Bush Blitz has increased our understandingofAustralia’sbiologicaldiversity,re-discoveredspecies believed to be extinct, recorded range extensions, increased our knowledgeofpestsandinvasivespecies,anddiscovered1928species newtoscience.Itisoneofthelongestrunningandmostsuccessful public-privateconservationpartnershipsinAustralianhistory,setting anaspirationalstandardforindustryeachyear.Outofthose1928new speciesdiscoveries,overaquarter(539)havebeeninthearachnid family(spiders).

Pictured to the right are three of our more recent additions to the spiderfamily,discoveredonAustralianAlpsBushBlitzExpeditionin

2023. In the process of being scientifically described and catalogued, the trio of new discoveries include: a wraparound spider, a warrior (shielded) huntsman and an affectionately named ‘licorice-all-sorts' jumpingspider.

Discovered by Museums Victoria arachnologist and Bush Blitz Fellow, Joseph Schubert, these three new spiders demonstrate the diversity and adaptability displayed across the arachnid family. The wraparound spider, who blends seamlessly in with tree branches through the day to hide from predators, waits until after dark to reveal itself, in turn becoming a fearless and ferocious mini hunter in the night. It plays the assassin while its bigger cousin the ‘warrior’ shielded huntsman plays thebarbarian,showingofffearsome‘war-paint’stripesoneachlegthat are anything but camouflage. Both these spiders again seem alien to their much, much smaller cousin, the eight eyed puppy ‘licorice-allsorts' jumping spider, who stands at only 3mm tall and as the name suggestshasitsown,much'springier’setoftricksupitsmanysleeves.

These discoveries are important as they highlight the range of evolutionary divergences one species can produce to tackle the challengeofsurvival,andtheyhelpustobetterunderstandthecomplex and uniquely significant makeup of Australia’s biodiversity, one of 17 mega-diverse countries collectively home to the highest numbers of endemicspeciesandthemajorityofearth’sspecies.

Crucial for their conservation, by increasing our knowledge of Australia’s biodiversity we can more effectively manage our unique wildlife.

“Liquorice-all-sort” Jumping Spider

“The Warrior” Badge Huntsman Wrap-around Spider

Developing environmentalleaders andcommunity-led action

Over the past decade, 392 students in year 10-12 have taken part in Earthwatch Australia’s Student Challenge program, generously funded by The George Alexander Foundation. Student Challenge Fellows have conducted over 15,680 hours of fieldwork, empowering them to continuetheirlearningjourneyandbecomeenvironmentalleaders.

In September 2023, our Student Challenge Fellows undertook a weeklongscientificexpeditiononBoyneIsland,ProtectingtheReef'sCoastal Frontier. The focus of this year’s expedition was to learn about mangrove and saltmarsh habitats and the urgent need to monitor and protect Australia’s tidal wetlands. Secondary school students from governmentschoolsjoinedourscientistsinthefield,collectingdataon various indicators of habitat health using a citizen science mangrove monitoringprogram,MangroveWatch.

The citizen science data collected contributes to research that informs the development of management strategies to protect and enhance these vital ecosystems. Select Student Challenge Fellows are continuingtoengageaftertheexpeditioninfurtheranalysisofthedata, ultimately contributing to a scientific paper (in progress). The program deeplyconnectsstudentswiththenaturalworldandlike-mindedpeers,

empowers them to become environmental ambassadors within their school or community and broadens their understanding of further education opportunities and the career pathways available to them in the environmental sciences. While surveying plant and wildlife biodiversity in the field, Student Challenge Fellow, Fei, made an exciting discovery; a crab species that hadn't been recorded in the Central Queenslandregionsince1929.

We caught up with Fei a few months after the expedition, to see what they’ve been up to. Fei, who has always had a passion for the environment,hasrecentlyre-launchedtheirschool'senvironmentaland sustainability club and is currently investing in potential lunchtime workshops and ways to get the school community more involved with the club. Fei is holding a BioBlitz for the school community later this yearwithhelpfromvolunteersattheKarawathaDiscoveryCentre.Feiis also partaking in Australia's Nature Walk Challenge, to raise money for AustralianWildlifeConservation.WeaskedFeiabouttheirexperience:

“The Student Challenge experience has certainly sparked new ideas with me and helped me not only expand my sense of community and make new friends but look at more ideas on what I would do on a smallerscaleandsetsustainablegoalsforthefuture.”

Fei has inspired friends to apply for Student Challenge and has spoken to younger year levels about the possibilities of STEM and encouraged themtogetinvolved.Afterschool,FeiplanstostudyattheUniversityof Tasmaniaandworkinenvironmentalandwildlifeconservation.

“ThroughthispartnershipwithEarthwatchAustralia,theFoundation continuesitsmissiontocontributetoasustainableAustraliaby supportingenvironmentaleducationandencouragingyoung people'scommitmenttotheenvironment Itwasaprivilegetosee ourStudentChallengefellowsembracethischallenge,growing theirscientificacumen,self-confidence,andpassionforthe naturalworld Ilookforwardtohearinghowthisexperience supportsthesepassionatecitizenscientists'studiesandfuture careers. "

PaulConroy,TheGeorgeAlexanderFoundationChiefExecutive Officer.

Pictured: Student Challenge Fellows Fei (right) and Lily (left) analysing crab species in the lab.

Empoweringcorporate socialresponsibilityand climateresilience

Earthwatch’s partnerships with businesses and corporations are instrumental in driving forward the sector’s investment in nature-based solutionsthatcombattheenvironmentalchallengesfacingourplanet.At Earthwatch, we actively seek out cross-sector partnerships to deliver the greatestimpactforcommunitiesandnature.

The global partnership between Earthwatch and Mitsubishi Corporation began in 1992 and with Earthwatch Australia, Mitsubishi has supported coral reef research expeditions since 2011, focussed on the iconic Great Barrier Reef. In 2018 our successful ‘’Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef’’ expedition changed focus from identifying scienitfic gaps in our understanding natural reef recovery processes, to investigating ecologybased active restoration, in response to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s changed strategy to intervene and improve the climate resilienceoftheReef’srecoveryprocesses.

With our research partners at James Cook University, we asked the question, could removing seaweed that was smothering degraded nearshore reefs help corals recover from the multiple impacts they are facing? With increasing nutrient loads, coral bleaching and increased extreme weather events, corals need human intervention to increase their capacity to recover. In 2023, we have answered this question, with the partnership enabling ground-breaking coral recovery outcomes: by weeding two degraded near-shore reefs at Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) wehaveseenincreasesof1.5and6timesthecoralcovercomparedto

our un-weeded plots, and an increase in coral diversity as well, which means the seaweeding wasn’t favouring any specific coral species. We were able to find out whether seaweed removal impacted coral recovery after a bleaching event, and we found that the corals recovered rapidly in comparison to the un-weeded plots. As an added benefit, we found that over the 3 years of weeding the reef of Yunbenun like a garden, seaweed cover reduced from 80% to less than 40% coverage on the seafloor, further demonstrating that the method quickly supports the reef to come backintothebalanceofseaweedandcoralthatwewanttoseeinhealthy reefsystems.

The Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef project has quantified the ecologicaleffectsofmacroalgaeremoval-specificallyofsargassum-on near-shore reefs at Magnetic Island, has rigorously testing the positive and negative effects (none) of removing macroalgae as a reef management and restoration intervention. The research provides the scientificevidencethatallowsreefmanagerstomakeinformeddecisions on the benefits and costs of active interventions and aid in reef managementconservation.

The 2023 field season saw Fellows contribute valuable field work and findings towards a seminal academic paper titled “Sea-weeding: manual removal of macroalgae facilitates rapid coral recovery” which was published in the prestigious Journal of Applied Ecology this year. The research has attracted international attention as a broadly applicable reef recoveryandresiliencemeasure,especiallyforsmallislandnationsandin locations where the removed macroalgae by-product may have commercialvalue.

The project emphases local community group involvement and citizen scientists,leadingtoscientificadvancementsandlongtermconservation behaviour change. All 2023 Fellows reported increased appreciation, understanding, and motivation to protect the Great Barrier Reef marine environmentandsurroundingCountryafterattendingexpeditions.

Pictured: JCU researchers Bell and Stefano weeding corals on the Great Barrier Reef

Plantingnaturebased solutionstourban climatechallenges

IIn partnership with corporate partners including Bupa, Brother International, Belong, Telstra, and ANZ, Earthwatch has engaged local councils across Australia. Striving to improve community understanding and value of biodiversity and urban forests in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Strengthening communities socialcohesionandliveabilitythroughtheirconnectionwithnatureand ‘’TinyForests’’.

Tiny Forests are patches of densely-packed native bushland about the size of a tennis court and represent a nature-based solution for urban climate challenges. Using a planting method developed in the 1970’s by Japanese botanist, Dr. Miyawaki, Tiny Forests involve soil enrichment and a dense planting structure. This method encourages faster forest development. Tiny Forests grow up to 10x faster than traditional forests and are up to 100x more biodiverse without the use ofharmfulchemicalsorfertilisers.

Tiny Forests are a highly visible way to restore and regenerate nature within our urban environments, inspiring and engaging everyday peopletoreconnectwithandtakecareofthenaturalworld.

These forests provide many benefits to the urban environment—the cooling effect of trees providing thermal comfort, biodiversity sustenance, flood management and carbon capture, along with communitywellbeingandengagementinthenaturalworld.

A Tiny Forest is a space for the community to connect, learn and grow. were students can attend school excursions, employees can contribute to biodiversity surveys, and business can support a visible marker of climateaction.

Earthwatch has already planted over 240 forests in Europe, with clear outcomes for community, environment, and society. Early reports have uncovered some key benefits for the surrounding environment and community. Even in their early stages these Tiny Forests are capturing carbon, creating a biodiverse environment, improving soil conditions — vital for flood management, and influencing the thermal comfort of the surroundingurbanarea.

Pictured: Local primary school student participating in a Tiny Forest planting day

Givingata Glance

Donations are the lifeblood of charities such as Earthwatch, with the support of donors being vital to sustain our work in the short and long term. We are encouraged by each and every donation from Earthwatch supporters. Your support makes monumental impact

We are beyond grateful for the extraordinary generosity of each and every one of our supporters. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all of our philanthropic partners whose unwavering support has been fundamental in helping us work towards our mission; to empower people to save the natural world throughout 2023

Our philanthropic partners encompass a diverse spectrum, which includes donors and supporters, bequestors, workplace giving, and corporate contributors This generosity has enabled us to deliver transformative experiences that inspire positive behaviour change towards the environment - something nature needs from us more urgently than ever before

As well as the phenomenal support provided towards driving Earthwatch programs, we also value the time and expertise donated by volunteers and interns that have helped propel our vision. In 2023, our internship program and skilled volunteers have contributed their time - in excess of 2000 hours - towards the delivery of our programs

We would also like to extend our thanks to our pro bono partners who have generously donated their time and resources towards our mission

Togetherwearecreatingasocietythatlivesinbalancewith nature.Thankyouforjoiningourmission!

Ourgenerousdonorscontributedto thefollowingareasofimpactin2023

Partners

Earthwatch Australia also extends a warm thank you to all of our wonderful delivery partners, pro-bono partners and stakeholders.

Pictured: Lined Nerite (Nerita balteata) on a Rhizophora aerial root.

Acknowledgements

Earthwatch is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors. Our science is vetted by a CSIRO endorsed Scientific Advisory Committee and Panel. We extend our thanks to the Board and associated committees and panel.

Board Scientific Advisory Committee

Mathew Nelson - Chair

Aaron Organ

Andrew Thomson

Belinda Kischkel

Emily Gerrard

Jim Walker

Nuvan Aranwela

Shamal Dass

Simon Cramp

Sarah Newport - Company Secretary

Nominations & Governance Committee

Shamal Dass – Chair

Andrew Thomson

Belinda Kischkel

Sarah Newport

Finance and Risk Committee

Simon Cramp - Chair

Emily Gerrard

Rod Jackson

Jim Walker - Chair

Andrea Rawluk

David Booth

Erinn Fagan-Jeffries

Kelly Miller

Tim O’Hara

Jeremy Wilson

ClimateWatch Scientific Advisory Panel

David Booth

Linda Beaumont

Marie Keatley

Reid Tingley

Stewart Macdonald

Stephen Smith

Tim Entwisle

Michael Kearney

Visuals and Photos

Acknowledgment of Country Image - Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia

Page 5 Image - Biodiversity: Joan Bernett

Page 7 Image - Yuku Baja Muliku Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers & Jock Mackenzie

Page 9 Image - BushBlitz & Sandra McCullough, Geologist

Page 9 Image - Spider Species: Joseph Schubert, Arachnologist

Page 20 Image - Chris La Rosa, TeachLive Fellow

Back Image - Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia

Pictured: Teachers and commuinty educators participating in the ‘Protecting Wetlands for the Future’ TeachLive program in the mangroves of Cairns.