The Explorers Club

Iconic actor and philanthropist Richard Gere will Keynote the 121st Explorers Club Annual Dinner: Paradise Found. Best known for his film career, Gere has consistently used his platform to champion human rights, environmental sustainability, and global compassion. Recently, Gere has focused his efforts on regenerative development through his involvement in?XALA. As a key figure in Sierra a Mar (Ridge to Reef), he aims to create a replicable model of sustainable development that restores ecosystems, empowers local communities, and demonstrates a holistic approach to environmental conservation. Speaking on the power of conservation & environmental stewardship in building communities, Gere will be celebrating alongside our?incredible slate of 2025 awardees. Where do you find paradise? Find out where the world’s top changemakers find theirs, alongside the greatest Club on Earth. explorers.org/gere

Since 1914, The Explorers Club has recognized the world's greatest explorers with exploration's highest honors. Greely, Amundsen, Nansen — Piccard, Armstrong, Heyerdahl — Goodall, Leakey, Hillary & Norgay — Roosevelt, Sullivan, Walsh — the history of our Club is written in the legacy of the giants whom we celebrate. We are proud to announce this newest class of awardees, formally honor their place in the history of human exploration, and celebrate them at our 121st Annual Dinner on April 26, 2025. ?? The Explorers Medal - Biruté Mary Galdikas, Ph.D ??? The Sweeney Medal - Alex Wallace ?? The Citation of Merit - Javier Sellanes, Ph.D., and Erin Easton, Ph.D. ?? The New Explorer Award - Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, Ph.D. ?? The Finn Ronne Memorial Award - Dale Andersen, Ph.D. ?? The Communication Award - Jimmy Chin and E. Chai Vasarhelyi ?? The President’s Award for Excellence in Exploration - Frederik Paulsen, Ph.D. To learn more about these amazing awardees, visit https://lnkd.in/e8afaJjP

Each year, the EC50 recognizes fifty extraordinary people who are doing remarkable work to promote science and exploration, and reflects the great diversity of individuals on the cutting edge of exploration around the world. Now, for its fifth year, the EC50 remains committed to redefining and expanding the definition of exploration.?We can’t wait to share their stories, watch their projects soar, and welcome them to our Explorers Club.?This year's EC50 honorees include: ?? a crabber and conservationist ?? a pollinator steward ?? a forager and chef reconnecting with nature ?? an artist turning trash into treasure ?? an ecologist studying how elephants’ name each other To read more about the other incredible honorees, please visit?50.explorers.org Presented by ROLEX as part of their Perpetual Planet initiative

We are excited to share that Mr. Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen was appointed to The Explorers Club Board of Trustees.?Mikkel joined The Explorers Club as a Member National in 2022, and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2022. Mikkel shared his enthusiasm about joining the Board of Trustees. “It’s an honor to join The Explorers Club in this capacity and contribute in my own way to pioneering exploration and addressing global challenges,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Club to empower the next generation of explorers, drive meaningful change, and continue to amplify positive impact.” We are very grateful to Mikkel and Sceye for their transformational support. I look forward to working with Mikkel in the months ahead and am thrilled to have his invaluable advice and leadership in his new role as a Trustee. -Richard Garriott President, The Explorers Club Read more https://lnkd.in/eb2ymppX

We found paradise! ???? We're proud to announce the grand prize winner of our Paradise Found Photo Contest, Ulla Lohmann. Ulla took the winning photograph while visiting Etna Volcano in Sicily. ”The image, taken on the first night of the new year, reflects a moment in time where everything comes together: The volcano, the snow, the lava flow, the moon, the stars and friendship. To me, being part of such unique moments in nature is paradise. And being able to share them, is very special.” –?Ulla Lohmann To see the finalists and semi-finalists, visit https://lnkd.in/g_RVM2gK

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, Richard Wiese was elected the 46th president of The Explorers Club and will begin a one-year term in April 2025. “The Explorers Club is thrilled to welcome back Richard Wiese, an experienced leader with a deep commitment to exploration, as its 46th President,” said Richard Garriott, current president of The Explorers Club. Richard Wiese, a renowned explorer and science communicator, was the Executive Producer and Host of the multiple Emmy Award-winning ABC and PBS program, “Born to Explore.” He was elected as the youngest Club president in our organization’s history when first elected in 2002. During his tenure, he developed and negotiated multi-year partnerships with Rolex, Eddie Bauer, and later, Discovery Networks. He also co-chaired the?Global Exploration Summit?(GLEX) in partnership with the nation of Portugal and is the founder of?The Explorers Club 50?- "Fifty People Changing the World the World Needs to Know About," as well as our organization's first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program. Wiese will assume the presidency during the 121st Explorers Club Meeting of the Members, which will take place April 27th in New York. Learn more at?https://lnkd.in/eSQGcqUA

Come celebrate a happy 150th birthday for one of history’s great characters, Ernest Shackleton. On February 15, 2025, The Explorers Club will host Shackleton 150, a day focusing on Ernest Shackleton and his expeditions, as well as celebrating the recent discoveries of his vessels. Through talks from experts, discussions among peers, and visual presentations of archival content, attendance is a must for anyone interested in this titan of exploration. Among the speakers will be Shackleton scholars from the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), the The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and more. For a detailed description of the event and to buy your tickets, visit https://lnkd.in/eJi4xefE

As 2024 winds down and we look ahead to another year of cutting-edge expeditions, presentations, and programs in the name of exploration, please consider a donation to The Explorers Club this?#GivingTuesday?and holiday season! We are incredibly grateful to our many members and supporters around the globe. We have a history to protect and a future to invest in, and your generosity – no matter the size – makes it possible for the Club to continue our mission-critical work next year and beyond. We can’t wait to celebrate YOU, our members and supporters, in 2025. To help us be expedition-ready for 2025 and beyond, donate anytime between now until December 31st as part of our Year-End campaign and enjoy exclusive gifts as a sign of our appreciation! To donate, please visit?explorers.org/giving/ ??: The Explorers Club Research Collections, Flag 4 on the Ruwenzori-Kiru Expedition, led by James P. Chapin in 1924

Looking for a tropical escape? Or perhaps a polar paradise? From pole to pole and all around the world, check out our 2024 Fall Auction for your next vacation! ?? Explore some of the most remote landscapes on earth while on Arctic Kingdom’s Polar Safari ???? Dog sled through the Arctic with Fj?llr?ven on the Polar Experience 2025 ???Cruise the Caribbean and discover the natural beauty of Central America with PONANT (and guest of honor Ricardo A. Nascimento !) ??? Set sail in Western Africa and experience the Rivers of Gambia & Senegal on a 7-night cruise with Variety Cruises ?? Retreat to the north's premiere luxury fly-in only, off-grid Blachford Lodge, renowned for aurora viewing ?? Live aboard with Aggressor Adventures and scuba dive in the Bahamas from your pick of Exuma Cays or Tiger Beach Start bidding here: https://lnkd.in/eZtdPEnr

We’re delighted to announce that the?Society?of Forgotten Explorers is now accepting applications for new members. The?Society?seeks to honor unknown, lesser-known, or unsung explorers from underrepresented communities and ethnicities, and tell their stories. These are explorers who are deceased, with emphasis on Indigenous as well as female explorers, those who were not elected Explorers Club members, or were active before The Explorers Club was founded. To learn more about the Society and to nominate unsung explorers to the society, please visit our website: https://lnkd.in/eJVKKfMB J. Robert Harris ME’93, Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee