MAYNARD, MA - Earthwatch Institute announces the election of Mathew Edward Wilson as its new President and CEO. The global volunteer organization, which works toward a sustainable environment by engaging people through research, conservation and education based programs, has recruited over 81,000 volunteers and supported nearly 2,000 research projects since it began, making it one of the world's largest private supporters of scientific field research. Wilson takes the helm of Earthwatch as the unique organization prepares to celebrate its 35th Anniversary in 2006.

"I am proud and honored to serve as Earthwatch Institute's new President and CEO," Wilson said. "Earthwatch is an innovative organization with a distinguished history. But we cannot rest on our laurels. The next decade is a vital one and Earthwatch's model of combining objective research together with stakeholder engagement has never been more important.

"I believe that we have a significant role to play, not just in understanding some of the key environmental and social issues facing the world but also in getting people involved in the process so that the solutions become sustainable. We have a great team around the world that can help us achieve that vision and I remain as excited today as I was when I first joined the organization nearly 12 years ago."

Wilson brings over 15 years international management experience in the non-profit sector as well as hands-on experience in conservation and research expeditions. Earthwatch's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since 2001, Wilson served as interim CEO since the retirement of Roger Bergen earlier this year.

"I am thrilled to hear Ed Wilson is to lead Earthwatch," said John Heminway, former chairman of the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). "There is no one I know who better grasps its mission to be an innovative force in research based conservation, to help bring the issues facing the world out of the journals and editorials and into the classroom, the board room and the living room. Earthwatch allows all of us to participate in the timeliest of endeavors--to assess the state of our planet and to ensure it remains healthy."

Wilson is a graduate of Kings College London, where he majored in geography, specializing in African Studies and Third World Development. After serving as an officer in the British Army, he began his career with Earthwatch as a volunteer in 1993, riding a motorbike for two hours to the UK office each day, where he worked in the mail room before becoming Marketing and Events Manager. In 1998 he moved to the USA office as Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

A Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, and a participant on several Earthwatch research expeditions, most recently to Central Asia and Inner Mongolia, Wilson lived in Pakistan, Hong Kong, and has traveled extensively in Africa. Wilson also worked for nature reserves and eco-tourism operations in Southern and East Africa, including The Wilderness Foundation and Conservation Direct. Wilson was a former UK Trustee of Rhino Ark, partnering with Kenya Wildlife Service to protect Aberdare National Park.

Through offices in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Japan, Earthwatch engages over 4,000 volunteers each year in support of over 130 scientific research projects operating in 55 countries worldwide. The organization has recruited over 85,000 volunteers in its 35 year history. In 2004 Earthwatch Institute had an annual budget of over $18 million and sponsored research and educational grants totaling $6.3 million.

For more information www.earthwatch.org

For a photo of Ed Wilson www.earthwatch.org/publicaffairs/presskit.html

To arrange an interview with Ed Wilson contact
Delta Willis dwillis@earthwatch.org Communications & Media Manager
800 776-0188 x179

Earthwatch

Earthwatch

Earthwatch Institute is an international environmental organisation whose mission is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Earthwatch currently supports over 130 environmental research projects in 50 countries by providing funds and paying volunteers who work alongside leading field scientists and researchers.

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