Earthwatch Institute Australia

What Earthwatch Institute Australia does

Earthwatch Institute Australia is a registered Australian research charity (ABN 25 875 253 851) founded in 1971 as part of the global Earthwatch federated network. The organization operates citizen science programs that connect volunteers, students, teachers, and corporate partners with field research in biodiversity, climate, wetlands, and marine ecosystems. Core programs include Bush Blitz (Australia's largest species discovery program in partnership with the Australian Government and BHP), Tiny Forests (urban greening using the Miyawaki method), MangroveWatch (S-VAM coastal monitoring), ClimateWatch (phenological citizen science app), TeachLive (teacher professional development placing educators as research assistants), Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia (water literacy), Student Challenge (youth fieldwork), and Agents of Change for the Environment (youth leadership). Program reach includes 11 Tiny Forest sites across NSW, SA, and Victoria, 700+ trained citizen scientists, 66,275+ volunteer hours, and 2,000+ species discovered through Bush Blitz since 2010.

Earthwatch's technology stack centers on structured citizen science methodologies (Miyawaki planting protocol, S-VAM shoreline video assessment, phenology indices) and lightweight digital tools including the ClimateWatch smartphone app with community validation functionality. The organization does not disclose proprietary software platforms, AI/ML systems, or significant R&D engineering investment; its differentiation is methodological and community-based rather than technology-based.

The revenue model combines tax-deductible individual donations (Champion Nature gift certificates from $25, bequests via Willed and EveryWill partnerships), expedition participation fees booked through the self-serve expedition portal, corporate partnerships for ESG/CSR employee engagement (Bupa, BHP, Mitsubishi, QBE), and grants from trusts and foundations (Swarovski Foundation, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, George Alexander Foundation, Reef Trust/Great Barrier Reef Foundation). Customer segments span individual citizen scientists, corporate ESG programs, schools and teachers, local councils, and philanthropic donors. Go-to-market relies on a community-led model combining direct field engagement, digital channels (newsletter, social media), and a federated partner network spanning federal and local government, multinational corporates, universities (James Cook), and international NGOs.

Name

Earthwatch Institute Australia

Legal name

Earthwatch Institute

Website

https://earthwatch.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Earthwatch Institute Australia is a registered research charity running citizen science programs across biodiversity, climate, marine, and urban ecosystems, connecting volunteers, schools, and corporate partners with field research through programs like Bush Blitz, Tiny Forests, ClimateWatch, and MangroveWatch.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural & Environmental Education Expeditions (Citizen Science, Conservation Volunteering) (THAAAOAH), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Conservation education
• Citizen science programs
• Environmental research expeditions
• Urban forest planting
• Biodiversity monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlton

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Gifts: Earthwatch Australia operates as a registered charity accepting tax-deductible donations. They offer gift certificates (Champion Nature) starting from $25 for specific causes including mangroves, crabs, environmental education, and Tiny Forests. All donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
2. Expedition Participation Fees: Participants pay to join Earthwatch expeditions where they work alongside scientists contributing to real research. Expeditions include accommodation, meals, and field research training.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Businesses partner with Earthwatch for CSR and ESG requirements, employee engagement programs, and sustainability initiatives. Corporate partners include Bupa, BHP, and others who fund environmental programs in exchange for employee engagement and sustainability credentials.
4. Bequests and Legacies: Individuals can leave gifts in their Will to Earthwatch, providing long-term funding support for environmental programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Earthwatch Institute Australia is a registered research charity that delivers citizen science expeditions, environmental monitoring programs, urban Tiny Forest plantings, and environmental education programs. Participants work alongside scientists on field research in marine, terrestrial, and urban ecosystems, while corporate partners fund programs to meet ESG and CSR objectives and schools integrate real-world science through TeachLive and Swarovski Waterschool.

Product overview

Earthwatch Institute Australia operates as a research charity offering a portfolio of citizen science programs focused on environmental research, education, and conservation. The core offerings include Expeditions (field-based citizen science experiences), Tiny Forests (urban greening using the Miyawaki method), MangroveWatch (coastal ecosystem monitoring), ClimateWatch (phenological monitoring app), Bush Blitz (species discovery), TeachLive (teacher professional development), Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia (water literacy), Student Challenge (youth expeditions), Agents of Change (youth leadership), Champion Nature (donation program), and Tree Keepers (volunteer stewardship). These programs interconnect through shared goals of environmental education, biodiversity conservation, and community engagement in scientific research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bush Blitz: Australia's largest species discovery project - a partnership between Australian Government, BHP and Earthwatch
• Tiny Forests
• ClimateWatch
• TeachLive
• Mizukuik
• Kids Teaching Kids

Products and services

• Expeditions Citizen science field expeditions where individual volunteers work alongside leading scientists to collect environmental data and protect ecosystems and wildlife. Participants pay a fee that covers accommodation, meals, and field research training.
• Tiny Forests Densely planted pockets of native bushland about the size of a tennis court, established using the Miyawaki method with soil enrichment and diverse indigenous species. Designed as urban wildlife oases that address urban climate and biodiversity challenges for councils, schools, and corporate sponsors.
• MangroveWatch Coastal monitoring program that trains community volunteers to assess and protect mangrove ecosystems using shoreline video assessment methods. Outputs feed into regional Report Cards and support wetland conservation outcomes for councils and partners.
• ClimateWatch Phenological monitoring program and smartphone app enabling everyday Australians to record observations about local flora and fauna to help scientists understand climate change impacts on species. Includes community validation functionality for cross-checking observations.
• Bush Blitz Australia's largest species discovery programme, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government, BHP, and Earthwatch. Documents and discovers new plant and animal species across Australia through more than 50 scientific expeditions, with over 2,000 species discovered since 2010.
• TeachLive Fully funded professional development programme placing Australian teachers as research assistants on Earthwatch expeditions, who communicate their experiences live to students via blogs and video calls. Aligned with the Australian Curriculum.
• Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia Water literacy and student empowerment programme delivered in partnership with the Swarovski Foundation through four phases that develop water ambassadors and environmental leaders in NSW and Victorian schools. Globally, the Waterschool programme has reached over 740,000 young people across 8 countries.
• Student Challenge Hands-on ecological fieldwork programme for school-aged students, guided by environmental experts and providing immersive experiences in wetland preservation and species conservation. Funded by the George Alexander Foundation.
• Agents of Change for the Environment (ACE) Youth development programme providing hands-on expeditions, mentorship, citizen science training, and community engagement support to young environmental leaders in rural hubs. Funded by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.
• Champion Nature Gift Certificates Personalised tax-deductible gift certificate programme from A$25 that lets donors direct support to specific causes including mangroves, crabs, environmental education for teachers, and Tiny Forests. Recipients receive a personalised digital certificate.
• Tree Keepers Volunteer stewardship programme in which community members care for, monitor, and learn from Tiny Forests over a two-year period, contributing to citizen science data collection across NSW, South Australia and Victoria sites.
• Kids Teaching Kids Peer education programme empowering students to teach their peers about water conservation and environmental stewardship through workshops and events held in schools.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BupacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bupa Healthy Planet, Healthy People initiative for development of Sydney and Monash Tiny Forest sites. Bupa employees' steps in 2023 unlocked funding for biodiversity projects including Tiny Forests. Roger Sharp, Bupa APAC Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, cited the importance of nature-positive solutions for communities.
• Australian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner in Bush Blitz program alongside BHP and Earthwatch. The Australian Government provides funding and support for Australia's largest species discovery project.
• BHPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey corporate partner in Bush Blitz program contributing employees as research assistants on expeditions and providing funding. BHP volunteer fellows participate in biodiversity discovery expeditions.
• Swarovski FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia program improving water literacy and student empowerment outcomes for schools. The global Waterschool program has engaged over 740,000 young people in 8 countries.
• James Cook UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership (over a decade) with James Cook University for coral reef conservation and restoration projects. Partnership includes pioneering innovative reef restoration techniques, research expeditions, and community science.
• Mitsubishi CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting Recovery of the Great Barrier Reef Project with James Cook University. Partnership involves sea-weeding restoration techniques, citizen science expeditions, and reef conservation work.
• Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards Department (VMGD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to establish ClimateWatch Vanuatu, integrating Traditional Knowledge with modern meteorological forecasting to strengthen climate resilience. Trained over 100 individuals including 20 teachers.
• Plastic CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership for plastic neutral program in Bali, installing recycling machines to create circular economy solutions in Les Village fishing community.
• Sea CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal NGO partner in Bali for plastic neutral program, working on reef rehabilitation and marine debris issues in Les Village.
• WilledminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWill-writing service partner providing low-cost, lawyer-reviewed Wills as a service to supporters. Partnership offers no obligation to include Earthwatch in Will.
• EveryWillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree online Will-writing option partner, offering easy-to-use Will services to Earthwatch supporters with no obligation to include Earthwatch.
• Georges River Environmental Education CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Swarovski Foundation Waterschool Australia flagship event in Chipping Norton, NSW. Partnership for hands-on water education workshops and activities.
• Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous knowledge holder partner in Youth Development Program, contributing to environmental education and cultural knowledge sharing.
• MangroveWatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizen science initiative partner in Youth Development Program for coastal wetland monitoring and conservation education.
• AusmapminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicroplastic monitoring partner in Youth Development Program for environmental research and education.
• Tangaroa BlueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine debris and coastline monitoring partner in Youth Development Program for environmental action projects.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Bush Heritage Australia: Australian nonprofit that acquires and manages conservation reserves and engages volunteers and donors to protect biodiversity. Highly comparable to Earthwatch Australia in mission, charitable funding model, and volunteer-led field programs.
• Australian Conservation Foundation: Australia's largest grassroots environmental nonprofit, focused on advocacy, donor-supported campaigns, and community engagement on climate and biodiversity. Comparable to Earthwatch Australia as a federally significant Australian environmental charity with corporate and individual donor bases.
• Conservation Volunteers Australia (Greening Australia): Australian nonprofit delivering volunteer-based land restoration, tree planting, and biodiversity programs nationally. Directly comparable to Earthwatch Australia in its volunteer field-day model, urban greening, and corporate partnership offering.
• BirdLife Australia: Australian bird conservation nonprofit running citizen science surveys (e.g., Birdata, Aussie Backyard Bird Count) and school education programs. Closely comparable to Earthwatch Australia's citizen science, education, and species-monitoring offerings.
• Reef Check Australia: Australian nonprofit running volunteer reef and marine citizen science monitoring programs. Directly comparable to Earthwatch Australia's MangroveWatch and reef expedition activities, with a shared volunteer field-research model.
• Tangaroa Blue Foundation: Australian nonprofit focused on marine debris and coastline monitoring through citizen science and community clean-ups. Directly comparable to Earthwatch Australia on coastal citizen science methodology and is also listed as a current Earthwatch program partner.

Broad incumbents

• WWF-Australia: Australian arm of a global environmental NGO with conservation, species, and climate programs funded by corporate partners, donors, and government. Comparable in mission and donor/corporate fundraising model but significantly larger and broader than Earthwatch Australia.
• The Nature Conservancy Australia: Australian office of a large global conservation NGO working on reef, marine, and landscape conservation with corporate and government partners. Comparable to Earthwatch Australia on the marine/conservation mission, though significantly larger in funding scale.
• Earthwatch Institute (US / Global): US-headquartered global parent affiliate of Earthwatch Australia, running citizen science expeditions worldwide. Comparable as a sister organization sharing brand, methodology, and donor networks, but operates at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.

Regional players

• Botanic Gardens Australia and New Zealand: Network of botanic gardens across Australia and New Zealand delivering plant conservation, citizen science, and education. Comparable to Earthwatch Australia on biodiversity monitoring and education delivery, but focused on institutional gardens rather than field expeditions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Earthwatch_Aus
• Facebookfacebook.com/EarthwatchAustralia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/earthwatchaustralia
• Instagraminstagram.com/earthwatch_aus

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Earthwatch Institute Australia