Antarctica In Sight - Short Films | |  | | Watch our short film teaser! | | Today is Antarctica Day, marking 61 years since the Antarctic Treaty was signed by 12 countries, to set aside the Antarctic continent for peaceful, international scientific cooperation. The Antarctic Treaty is the world's most successful international agreement and in its time the Treaty has endorsed the Protocol on Environmental Protection, designating Antarctica as a nature reserve and committing signatories to the protection of the environment and its ecosystem.
This day falls in what is already a very special year with UKAHT celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first sighting of Antarctica through our Antarctica In Sight programme. Whilst many of our planned events this year were put on hold, we have been working behind the scenes to continue creatively showcasing untold stories from Antarctica's past 200 years. Along with our Podcast series A Voyage To Antarctica which has received over 6K listens so far, we've created three short films in response to the programme themes of Human endeavour: courage and exploration; Climate: scientific legacy; and Geopolitics: exploitation to preservation. We spoke to Antarctic Photography Guide, Neill Drake, Climate Scientist and Explorer, Felicity Aston and UN Patron for Oceans, Lewis Pugh, about their experience of working in Antarctica and how they have been inspired by the history of the white continent. From Antarctic explorer and photographer Frank Hurley's extreme efforts to capture the mood of the moment, scientific breakthroughs in Ozone layer research in the 1980's to chilling reminders of the destruction of the whaling industry in the early 20th Century. With each film under 2 minutes, we think this is the perfect breaktime escape. Find out more on our Antarctica In Sight page. | | | UKAHT Ambassadors: Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Kate Humble call for Support | | | TV presenter Kate Humble joins UKAHT Vice Patrons adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Alexandra Shackleton and Dafila Scott, descendants of the great explorers, in a public appeal to help the Trust through the pandemic.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, UKAHT's vice patron, has said it's vital that public and private institutions and individuals step forward to support the Trust. "The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust does tremendous work in preserving and sustaining historical sites that tell the story of human exploration in Antarctica. It's hugely important that these sites, which signify the best of human endeavour, are maintained and that UKAHT continues its work."
Covid travel restrictions have severely impacted Polar tourism and our ability to run the post office and museum in Antarctica. The income normally raised from our gift shop, post office and donations from visitors is our single most important source of revenue, and these lost sales and donations could mean a shortfall of up to £1m in the budget this year.
"We have always been lucky in that people who love Antarctica have been incredibly supportive, and we hope that will continue. This year, however, is critical for us, with shortfalls in revenue that could have serious consequences for our work. That is why we are making this call for support today." Camilla Nichol, Chief Executive. | | | #Giving Tuesday is a day of global giving, a movement that unleashes the power of people and organisations to transform their communities and the world. UKAHT take our role of transforming the worlds connection with Antarctica and our drive to protect its future very seriously. Utilising our heritage lens, to tell the incredible stories of all who have gone before us. We need your support, now more than ever, to allow us to continue to explore and share the untold stories of Antarctica and to use the incredible history to inform decisions and inspire the world to protect this continent. The absence of an Antarctic season threatens the sustainability of UKAHT, the delivery of our conservation programme and ability to curate innovative public programmes and storytelling content like exciting work we plan to unveil tomorrow.
We have been overwhelmed with the incredible kindness of those that have already generously donated, and we are truly thankful. However, as we look to the future we anticipate the effects of COVID-19 will outlive the virus itself and we really do need your incredibly valued and ongoing support. Here are some ways you could help:
Give a donation, or have you considered a regular donation? You can keep supporting us at a level that is comfortable for your by taking advantage of our direct debit facility. | | | If you haven't already, sign up as a member of the Friends of Antarctica, or have you thought of upgrading your membership to the next level?
Or for Christmas what could be more beautiful than gifting a membership and the future protection of Antarctica. Do you know someone who has a passion for the Antarctic? Why not buy them a gift that keeps on giving! Friends of Antarctica is UKAHT's membership scheme which brings together a group of like-minded people who all have an Antarctic interest. They receive a wonderful welcome pack, monthly e-bulletins, bi-annual magazine, and invites to events, and most importantly their subscription supports all the vital work we do. | | | Do your Christmas shopping with us. Are you stuck for ideas for presents for family and friends? Why not sit back and peruse our shop for some inspiration. We have a fantastic range of gifts from accessories, homewares, something for the children or grandchildren and that special gift. All our gifts are Antarctic themed including Antarctic tartan and the wonderful charismatic gentoos, who make Port Lockroy their home every year. All profits from the sale of merchandise helps support all the important work of UKAHT. Including, our extensive programme of conservation work that continues even through lockdown! Data and the 3D imagery collected from last season, is being used to continually inform and develop the conservation management plan, ensuring we are in the best position possible to protect our British heritage for future generations to enjoy. Alongside the conservation programme is our public engagement and fundraising plans. | | | We appreciate that in the challenging times it might not be possible for everyone to support financially, there is nothing more powerful than a voice and we encourage all our supporters to adopt the power of word, and share our message as far and wide as possible.
However you decide to support us, we couldn't do what we do without you, thank you! | | | Calendars and Christmas Cards | | | Whilst we cannot 'keep in touch', it is important we can 'keep in words'! Take a moment to send a special message to a loved one or reach out to someone new - 'Its the small things that matter'. Support our mission to inspire people with the magic of Antarctica and share kindness all by purchasing our Gentoo Christmas Cards – a beautiful collection of twelve cards, in four designs, featuring of course the gentoos (there's even an Adelie photobombing!).
2020 promised so much for UKAHT, with our incredible Antarctica In Sight Programme we hoped to inspire a global audience with the stories of this magical continent through a series of cultural programmes. COVID-19 meant that all the fantastic events we had planned could not take place. Despite the challenges it is wonderful to reflect on the great achievements UKAHT has made this year, we worked hard to realise our programme virtually and moved our event programme online. We created a podcast series 'A Voyage to Antarctica', have worked collaboratively on many programmes such as 'Celsius' and 'The Melt' and more recently created our fantastic partnered event with South Georgia Heritage Trust 'Museums in the Extreme'. We hope that 2021 will offer an opportunity to realise more of the exciting events we had planned. Join us in the excitement by getting a UKAHT 2021 calendar, and fill it full of all the exciting things we are planning. The calendar features photographs taken by the 2019/20 Port Lockroy team. A stocking filler, or for your home office – it will brighten up any room. | | | A Voyage to Antarctica Podcast | | | Have you ever wondered; what is it like to be "the world's greatest living explorer"?; what is the global climate crisis and how does Antarctica play a unique role in our understanding of climate change?; how can penguins predict the future?; what is a womans role in Antarctica?; what can I do to protect Antarctica? or; how can you inspire audiences to connect and take action with key social and ecological challenges in a continent, who for the majority is so disconnected and distant?
Well wonder no more... join renowned journalist and broadcaster Alok Jhar on a journey to the coldest place on earth and its last and greatest wilderness, on 'A voyage to Antarctica'. Each episode will transport you to the continent focusing on a fascinating part of Antarctica's past, present a future, through the influential voices of guests such as Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Professor Dame Jane Francis and BBC producer Ruth Peacey. Catch the series on your favourite podcast platform. | | | | | The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust works to advance the preservation, enhancement and promotion of Antarctic heritage and to engage, inform and inspire a global audience.
We care for six important historic sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, including Port Lockroy, as well as supporting other organisations with grants to ensure our Antarctic history is safeguarded and shared with a new generation keen to learn about Antarctica. We also support other organisations to look after British Antarctic heritage sites in other parts of Antarctica. It is active in the promotion of Antarctic public engagement and supports institutions who have a connection to Antarctic heritage through their collections or education and outreach. | | | |
