STEWART McPherson, who founded the Darwin200 Global Voyage to mark the bicentenary by retracing Darwin’s historic journey aboard HMS Beagle, returns to Sladers Yard gallery at West Bay on Thursday 14th August, to talk about the insights the explorers have learned about Darwin and his discoveries from the voyage and how best to carry forward the message of conservation and the importance of diversity in nature.
The talk, the latest of Sladers Yard’s Help Our Planet series, is the sequel to McPherson’s first visit to West Bay last year, when he talked about the Darwin200 expedition.
The theme of the talk is “The journey that changed science forever”, and will be raising funds for Redfern Natural History Productions. There will be a hot supper available at Sladers Yard’s noted cafe.
The Dutch three-masted schooner Oosterschelde arrived back in London on 25th July, concluding a two-year, 43,000-mile, voyage during which it has stopped at 31 ports and trained more than 100 young ‘Darwin Leaders’ from 45 countries.
With support from expert local partners, these Darwin Leaders contributed to the safeguarding of more than 105 species of plants and animals, from flagship species like Australia’s Koalas to lesser-known wildlife such as the endangered Huemul deer in Chile. The project combines science, storytelling and action to address threats to biodiversity.
Welcomed back to London by the Duke of Edinburgh, Stewart McPherson, who was just 24 when he received his own Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from Prince Edward in 2007, reflected on the achievements of the journey: “Bringing the Darwin200 voyage into the heart of London – a global capital of science, discovery and exploration – feels like the perfect finale to this extraordinary journey.
“This was about more than retracing Darwin’s steps; it was about harnessing the same spirit of adventure to inspire real conservation action. Darwin was only 22 when he set sail on the life-changing voyage he later called the most important event of his life – the experience that shaped his entire career. That sense of transformation is exactly what we’ve worked to recreate for the Darwin Leaders on this journey, showing what’s possible when young people are given the chance to learn, lead and make a difference.’
The HOP talks are an initiative started by Philip Howse (Professor Emeritus, University of Southampton) with Professor Sir Ghillean Prance (ex-director Kew Gardens) with the late James Lovelock, George Monbiot and Dr George McGavin plus other skilled and committed people who have given their time to help. The project aims to inspire and inform individuals, families and local communities with tangible actions to help combat the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. The talks provide a forum for discussion and information with scientists, writers and those directly involved. Please join us once a month to Help Our Planet.
Pictured is the Oosterschelde by Tower Bridge.