The DARWIN200 conservation mission aboard the Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde sailed into Hobart ahead of a programme of conservation projects.

The Oosterschelde set sail from Plymouth Harbour, UK, in August 2023 on an epic two-year planetary conservation mission retracing Charles Darwin’s voyage of the Beagle and training 200 young environmentalists along the way. The aim was to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders with the message that there is still time to change the world, and that conservation is about what the people can do, not what they have lost.

Since its departure, the ship has sailed over 22,500 nautical miles (around 41,670km), on 24 voyage legs, and hosted exception DARWIN Leaders representing over 40 countries. The ship arrived in Hobart following a successful visit in New South Wales.

A group of three talented young conservationists selected from around the world took part in the DARWIN200 immersive conservation leadership programme in Tasmania as Darwin Leaders. These included:

Darwin Leader: Jordan Winters, 28 years old, United States
Project: Saving the Tall Trees of Tasmania
Partner: The Tree Projects
Location: Hobart, Huon Valley

The Tree Projects is dedicated to public education and the conservation of giant trees and their forests through engaging, information-rich content. Co-founder, Dr. Jennifer Sanger, a forest ecologist and science outreach coordinator, and award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Steven Pearce, combined their expertise in research, advocacy, and storytelling to inspire and inform. Though not a registered non-profit, they achieved significant goals such as providing educational resources, advocating for forest protection, and creating programs like the Tasmanian Big Tree Register to make forest discovery accessible to all.

Jordan Winters is a Filipino-American journalist, National Geographic explorer, and storyteller with a passion for uncovering the intersections of nature conservation and ancestral knowledge. Through her Fullbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship, Winters documented how ancient seafaring traditions in the Philippines fostered deeper cultural ties to the ocean while inspiring conservation efforts. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.S. in journalism and political science and a former news producer at NBC News. She was also part of the Emmy-nominated team covering Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Darwin Leader: Sam Aschebrock, 22 years old, Aotearoa, New Zealand
Project: Restoring the Derwent Estuary
Partner: Derwent Estuary Program
Location: Hobart Derwent Estuary

The Derwent Estuary Program is a collaborative initiative dedicated to restoring and promoting the health of the Derwent Estuary in southern Tasmania, Australia. Stretching from New Norfolk to the Iron Pot lighthouse. This unique estuary is a vibrant mix of tidal seawater and fresh river water, supporting diverse habitats and several threatened species, including the critically endangered Spotted Handfish and Red Handfish, the Tasmanian Live-Bearing Seastar, and the vulnerable Green and Gold Frog, Australian Grayling, and Fairy Tern. The program brings together state and local governments, industries, researchers, and communities to enhance and protect the estuary’s ecological, recreational, and economic values. Through initiatives like water quality monitoring, litter reduction, and habitat education, the program fosters community involvement and sustainable practices while championing the protection of one of Tasmania’s most treasured natural environments.

Sam Aschenbrock is a conservationist and environmental advocate from Aotearoa, New Zealand. As a member of a Maori hapu, Sam has a strong cultural connection to the environment, which drives his commitment to sustainability, including his successful campaign at the age of eight to ban free plastic bags in his hometown. He is an active member of the Centennial Park Bush Society, contributing to predator control, native flora planting, and tree cultivation.

His conservation efforts also extend to his work with Save Our Seas Foundation, where he has contributed to research on Australian Ghost Sharks, and his dedication to sustainable seafood in the aquaculture industry. With a background in Marine Science and Commerce from the University of Auckland, Sam is committed to lifelong learning and making meaningful contributions to global conservation. He views the Darwin Leader Program as an opportunity to deepen his impact and broaden his knowledge of the world.

Darwin Leader: Hindara Dania, 20 years old, Indonesia
Project: Protecting Whales in the Southern Oceans
Partner: Dr. Vanessa Pirotta

Dr. Vanessa Pirotta is a wildlife scientist, science communicator and author whose research focuses on using innovative technologies for wildlife conservation. Her work blends cutting-edge methods, such as drones to collect whale snot and AI for detecting illegal wildlife trafficking, to study marine and terrestrial animals. A passionate science communicator, Vanessa has been recognized as one of Australia’s top 100 Women of Influence and a Superstar of STEM.

In 2024, she was a finalist in the Australian Museum’s Eureka Awards for her dedication to ocean conservation. Vanessa leads the Wild Sydney Harbour program, collaborating with the Gamay Rangers to combine indigenous knowledge and scientific research on marine mammals. She is also the author of children’s books that explore whale biology and ecology.

Hindara Dania is a marine conservation leader. Originally from Gili Air, Indonesia, she leads as a Coral Catch dive leader, empowering local women to take active roles in coral restoration. With the ambitious goal of creating a network of 100 female leaders by 2030, Hindara is dedicated to protecting and restoring Indonesia’s coral reefs. Her research focuses on understanding how infectious diseases affect marine ecosystems, particularly the transmission of pathogens in the oceans. As a recently selected Darwin 200 Leader, Hindara teams up with Vanessa to create a conservation project, using documentary storytelling to encourage others to appreciate and protect the ocean.

Charles Darwin’s visit to Tasmania in February 1836 during the voyage of HMS Beagle was a brief but insightful stop. He explored the forests near Hobart, noting the unique flora, particularly eucalyptus trees, and the island’s distinct biodiversity. Darwin’s reflections on the treatment of Aboriginal Tasmanians were poignant; he criticized the devastating impact of colonization, including displacement and violence against indigenous peoples. While the visit did not directly influence his theory of evolution, it enriched his understanding of ecological diversity and the effects of human activity on the environment.

The Oosterschelde departs Hobart on 13 December and will cross the Tasman Sea as it heads to Lyttleton, New Zealand.