The Darwin200 project is a grand, two-year global voyage retracing Charles Darwin’s historic journey aboard the HMS Beagle. Launched in August 2023 from Plymouth, UK, the journey is being undertaken on the historic three-masted schooner, the Oosterschelde, built in 1918. The expedition will encompass 32 voyage legs, visiting nearly every major location Darwin explored, including the Galapagos Islands, South Georgia, and Tristan da Cunha, among others.
This ambitious project is more than just a historical reenactment. It aims to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders by combining exploration with environmental education and research. Participants have the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on sailing and conservation activities, learning about the ecosystems that Darwin studied and the current challenges they face.
During its stay in the Galapagos Islands, 155 students involved in the Galapagos Infinito project supported by Explorers Against Extinction in 2021, and 10 educators and teachers from San Cristobal & Santa Cruz islands participated in immersive experiences on board the historic vessel.
When the ship departed, one member of the crew, Captain Polo stayed behind! The idea is to use Captain Polo, a cuddly polar bear, to help children explore the impacts of global warming and potential solutions. As he travels around the world visiting schools he will share the story of his home in the Arctic.
Images: Galapagos Infinito
