Beagle Campaign Group Review of the Society’s support for Research

1. Beagle Campaign GroupReview of the Society’s support for Research Nov 27th 2009

2. Advancing Geographical knowledge... • The Royal Geographic Society is the most renowned brand in the history of global exploration • The need for new geographical data has never been more imperative • The RGS (with IBG) is uniquely positioned to originate/ undertake and support exceptional, high calibre field research projects

3. The Society’s own research • The Society’s own field research projects would significantly advance our understanding of geographical knowledge • These projects would serve to enhance the Society’s reputation and standing • They would foster existing and future relationships with scientists in other countries and, in addition, Central American Governments are ‘begging’ international scientists to come and work in their countries • The multidisciplinary projects would not have to be ‘large’ • A pilot model could be pioneered for sending small specialist teams, working with the host country scientists, into remote regions • Footprints of previous Society project stations (Maraća, Badia), along with other institutional field research stations, could be used as bases for scientific teams establishing forward camps in surrounding regions • These projects could be high profile in the vein of the recent BBC series ‘Land of the Lost Volcano’ • Satellite support from NASA/ESA could compliment field research activity

4. Geographers and the Society’s own research • All RGS (with IBG) research projects could be linked to the UK teaching community: schools, colleges and universities • Providing inspiration for future generations of geographers, geographical scientists and humanity in general • As one 12 year old put it when the society’s own research projects were being discussed at his school earlier this year: • ‘That’s what I want to do when I grow up’. • These projects could enhance the careers of geography academics, in tune with current issues related to what is the most critical question of our times: • What is happening to our planet?

5. Field Research Projects Committee • The Society has the global reach to bring together geographical scientists and research / explorative institutions • We propose the formation of a field research projects committee to specifically identify potential Society research locations and thematic concepts around the planet

6. The Committee’s Mission: Global Government Policy (data needs and requirements) and millennium development goals Public and educational outreach Funding Membership involvement Project output and legacy • Project Objectives • Feasibility • Logistics/Structure • Management/Project leader • Interdisciplinary involvement and research • Geographer integration and peer reviewed papers (HEFCE ratings) • Host country conservation strategies

7. Digital Communications and Media It is suggested that a field research exploration web site, linked to the Society’s home page, could include: • Field Research Project Blog(s) • Field Research Vid-cam links • News media press articles, TV and radio interviews with url links • Discussion web forums • Tie-in of Field Research projects with Google Earth, Wave and other associated IT tools • Twitter, Face book and similar • Interviews with high profile expeditionary and geographical names. • Possible co-operation with Niall Murphy’s Global Climate Change Expedition Initiative (founder of Europe’s largest public WiFi network) - to enable people around the world to capture a global picture of our changing planet

8. How would this be funded? • The current programme of research grants is funded from the £1 million raised between 2001 and 2004 - and other annual funds set aside for grant giving • In addition there are specific ring fenced legacies given to the Society to support such field research projects (such as the £1m bequeathed by Ralph Brown) • It is proposed that, separate to any of the Society’s other existing fund raising activities and grant giving programmes: • The Society could appoint athird party agency to raise £10 million specifically for the Society’s own research projects • At a conservative yield of 5% interest pa, the RGS (with IBG) would be in a position to mount a significant project every three years (£1.5 million budget), without reducing the investment capital

9. Fund Raising Solutions • The appointed agency would raise money in the Society’s name in stages over two 3-5 year periods, on terms agreed with the Society • The first £5 million would be raised between 2010 - 2014 with the second £5 million tranche being achieved between 2015 - 2019 • External fund raising activities could compliment in-house funding opportunities through referred introductions. • These monies, in addition to traditional fund raising methods for such projects, could be raised through: • Any Society appointed third party agency • A charitable ‘Beagle’ entity with an advisory board of high profile and influential Beagles/Fellows

10. Possible RGS (with IBG) Field Research Projects • Las Cuevas Research Station in Belize (2011). Origination: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh • Trans Siberian and Trans Alaskan Methane Expeditions in unexplored region (2012) • UK Chalk Stream Conservation Project (2010 – 2015)

11. Ecological Mapping of Upper Raspaculo River, Belize • The Expedition will represent a unique opportunity to collect plants by an internationally recognized botanical institute (RBGE) working in close partnership with the Belize Government, University of Belize and the Royal Geographical Society. If these plants are not collected and their medicinal properties and ecological associations go unrecorded then they may soon be lost. Research will also include general observations of all mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird and fish species and aim to give a more complete picture of the eco-system level. Emphasis will also be placed on birds of prey such as the rare Ornate Hawk Eagle and Orange Breasted Falcon, migratory birds, endangered species, aquatic habitats and studies of interspecies and eco-system level interactions. • Scientific Leaders: Mr. Chris Minty (RBGE) and Dr. Elma Kay (University of Belize. Logistical Leaders: Lt. Colonel Alistair Rogers (Explorers World) and Nicodemus Bol (Las Cuevas Research Station)

12. Executive Summary • These projects do not necessarily have to be ‘large’ • They would be economically viable and good value • They would maximize on the Society’s founding mission statement of how best to advance geographical knowledge through research • They would sit comfortably alongside the Society’s existing curriculum of activities • They will significantly enhance the Society’s domestic and global profile