Project “Darwin2,” commemorating Darwin’s famous voyage of the Beagle (1831-1836), is the original idea of science writer Luca Novelli, who has proposed this project for the Rolex Award for Enterprise 2006. Luca Novelli will leave on November 13, 2005 from Milan, Italy, for Argentina, the first stop on this scientific voyage. He will be accompanied by Federicao Canobbio Codelli of the Alessandro Volta Scientific Center and two other researchers. This part of the journey will be sponsored by the Historical Science Museum of Milan, the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) and the International Council of Museums, UNESCO (ICOM).

The Argentine voyage will include a series of events and exhibitions inspired by the voyage of the Beagle and arranged by Novelli with the help of WWF members, local scientists and museums. The trip takes off from Buenos Aires to Santa Fe along the Parana River; then from Buenos Aires to Bahia Blanca, an oil industry town on the Atlantic Coast, where in Darwin’s time one could be attacked by Indians. Next they will fly from Buenos Aires to Rio Gallegos and later to the Santa Cruz River, where Darwin landed and sailed up the river. They will then travel by truck following Darwin’s geological notes, which mention his shooting of a Condor with a wingspan of two and one half meters, to Calafate, near the Perito Moreno glacier. Leaving the truck in Califate they will fly to Tierra del Fuego to visit the protected site and the most southern museum in the world. From Ushuaia they will go by cruiser along the Beagle channel, around Cape Horn, following the coast along Wulaia Glacier, Giner Plushow, and Magdalena Island to Punta Arenas. This is Ona territory, home of a native people who were well adapted for living in this glacial climate. They were described in detail by Darwin but are now extinct. The expedition will then return to Ushuaia and back to Buenos Aires.

The second section of “DARWIN2” will travel in Brazil, beginning about March, 2006, then on to Chile and Peru in the autumn of 2006.

Ernst Mayr was a giant intellect in his chosen field of evolutionary biology and many will agree with Dr. Jane Maienschein, a science historian at Arizona State University, when she said she was "surprised at how sad she felt on hearing of Professor Mayr's death." Even though he had had a very long and productive life, and was still contributing to the field of evolutionary biology after he turned 100 last year, we are reluctant to let him go. Dr. Mayr will be remembered for many contributions to the field of biology but perhaps none more than for his efforts to bring together the mechanisms of natural selection, proposed by Charles Darwin, with those of genetics, currently referred to as the "modern synthesis of evolutionary theory" or, neoDarwinism.

We at DarwinDay.org owe a special thanks to Dr. Mayr -- as it was his article published in the July issue of Scientific American entitled " Darwin 's Influence on Modern Thought", also mention on our Home page, which helped define our mission. In addition, I had sought his advice last summer on how to more effectively internationalize our efforts to celebrate Science and Humanity and he graciously responded with a hand written letter of advice that I greatly appreciate.

For longer descriptions of Dr. Mayr's career at Harvard and at the Museum of Comparative Zoology (The Agassiz Museum) we refer you to the New York Times (requires free signup).

Bob Stephens
President, Darwin Day Celebration

The Beagle will sail again in 2009 and you can assist financially by going to their Website. In their own words:“The Pembrokeshire Beagle will be a working replica of the boat on which the young Charles Darwin sailed between 1831 and 1836…We intend that the replica Beagle will inspire a new generation of scientists and play a crucial role in increasing public understanding of science… the Beagle will sail with crews of young students who will undertake scientific research and environmental monitoring, and will be mentored by science professionals seconded from universities and industry… She will be the focus of worldwide attention during the Darwin 200 celebrations in 2009, which will celebrate and promote the life and work of Charles Darwin.”

Take some time to enjoy the plethora of information on the site, and consider sponsoring a plank for the mere amount of £35.

You can register with the Darwin Month Festival as a Darwinite to receive information on upcoming events and local festivities in shrewsbury.

The DBS is a organization with aims to gain the priveledge of Darwin's birthhome in Shrewsbury, to turn it into a museum of sorts. You can donate to their cause at their homepage.

The Society will provide a formal network, gathering all with an interest in Darwin and his birthplace. It is potentially a vehicle for the acquisition of funding for the many exciting projects in the pipeline and will offer members the opportunity to help to preserve Charles Darwin's heritage for the future. Members can become actively involved in the work for the preservation of Darwin's Birthplace in Shrewsbury