April 10th 2008

Google today launched a new program allowing charities to reach web users around the world. Sir David Attenborough, Wild Screen charity patron, said "Having spent over 50 years working in natural history broadcasting, I know how important technological innovation is for reaching new audiences. With the Internet, there are now even more opportunities to bring the wonders of the natural world to a global audience. Google Earth is a really powerful way for Wildscreen to show the vital work it's doing with the ARKive project. It is visual, easy to understand, and another important step in helping us appreciate that without care and conservation many of our amazing plants and animals may soon be lost forever."

ARKive is a Wildscreen project to document and photograph critically endangered species.

WaterAid are also using Google Earth to highlight their work and unveiled a layer showing their work.

The program allows charities to overlay video, audio and written information onto Google Earth and Google Maps highlighting their causes to millions of people.

Globally 350 million people have downloaded Google Earth and more information can be found at earth.google.co.uk/outreach where UK charities and NGOs can apply for grants.

Chief Almir Surui, Brazil, also spoke at the event. Google has worked with him to map his Amazon tribe lands and create a 50 year sustainable living plan. He said: "It is vital that people know what is happening to these species and Google Earth is a great way for ARKive to reach a wider audience. The Google Earth Outreach team is helping me and my people to map our lands to ensure our knowledge is saved for future generations and to ensure our forests are not cut down by illegal loggers."

Source: http://www.google.co.uk/intl/en/press/pressrel/20080414_googleearth.html