Professional Affiliations
We are honored to enjoy professional affiliations with the following societies and organizations.
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
In November 2017, Jett was elected a “Fellow” of the prestigious Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). Kathryn was elected a “Fellow” in November 2018.
The RCGS College of Fellows includes many of Canada’s eminent explorers, astronauts, writers, geographers, scientists, artists, anthropologists, soldiers, business leaders, historians, educators and even some former Prime Ministers. RCGS Fellows are deemed to have distinguished themselves by directly contributing to scientific knowledge in the field of geography, geographical exploration or allied sciences (i.e., archaeology, atmospheric sciences, marine biology, zoology, etc.). In the Society’s own words:
“Fellowship in the College has, since its inception in 1929, represented the very best of Canada, including distinguished individuals from many different fields, united in their commitment to the Society’s mission to celebrate the country, its geography and peoples.”
There were 892 active Royal Canadian Geographical Fellows as of June 30, 2017, including 80 Honorary Fellows. They added 86 more Fellows on November 16, 2017.
The Explorers Club
In October 2016, Jett was elected a “Fellow” in the world renowned and exclusive Explorers Club. Kathryn was elected a “Fellow” in January 2019.
Established in 1904, the Explorers Club is a New York City-based professional society that includes approximately 3,000 members in more than 60 countries who are dedicated to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration, and “the instinct to explore.” As of December 17, 2015, there were 229 members in the Explorer Club’s Canadian Chapter.
The Explorer Club’s mission statement is as follows:
“The Explorers Club promotes the scientific exploration of land, sea, air, and space by supporting research and education in the physical, natural and biological sciences. The Club’s members have been responsible for an illustrious series of famous firsts: First to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, first to the surface of the moon—all accomplished by our members. The Explorers Club mission is to advance field research, scientific exploration, resource conservation, and the ideal that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore.”
Royal Geographical Society
In May 2017, Jett was named a “Fellow” in the famed Royal Geographical Society (RGS) with the Institute of British Geographers. Kathryn was elected a “Fellow” in July 2018.
This esteemed institute based in London is committed to the wider public understanding, promotion, development and enjoyment of geography, together with its application to the challenges facing society and the environment. The RGS also advances geographic knowledge through lectures and publications, through its libraries and map collections, and through instruction in surveying and the support of fieldwork expeditions, exploration and research.
The Royal Geographical Society was founded in 1830 under the name Geographical Society of London as an institution to promote the “advancement of geographical science”. It later absorbed the older African Association, which had been founded by Sir Joseph Banks in 1788, as well as the Raleigh Club and the Palestine Association. Like many learned societies, it had started as a dining club in London, where select members held informal dinner debates on current scientific issues and ideas. Under the patronage of King William IV, it later became known as the Royal Geographical Society (RGS). The society amalgamated with the smaller Institute of British Geographers in 1995, hence its formal title today is “Royal Geographical Society with The Institute of British Geographers (RGS-IBG)” although the latter name is often dropped.
The Royal Geographical Society has a storied history of supporting many famous British explorers and expeditions, including those of, Sir Charles Darwin, legendary African explorer Dr. David Livingstone, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Sir Robert Scott (Scott of the Antarctic), Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin, and mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary to name a few. Among many other notable explorers and geographers, current fellows also include Michael Palin (Yes, that Michael Palin) who was the president of the RGS from 2009 to 2012. Fellowship in the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS) is granted to those who can demonstrate evidence of his or her own work and academic publications in the field of geography and closely related subjects such as international development and climate change. Fellows in the RGS may use the post-nominal designation FRGS after their names. Since 1912, the Royal Geographical Society and its historical archives have been headquartered at Lowther Lodge, a Victorian Queen Anne style house built between 1872 and 1875 that faces Hyde Park in South Kensington, London, England.
In 2010, Jett was welcomed into the distinguished ranks of the Ocean Artists Society (OAS), a unique alliance of the world’s top marine life artists, painters, sculptors, photographers, filmmakers, and writers coming together to use ocean art to inspire people around the world to a greater awareness of our need to protect and preserve our natural world. At the time, all new members being considered for OAS membership required being nominated by OAS founding members and unanimously voted in to become an official member. Jett feels honored to be part of this organization which includes several of my peers along with such world-renowned members as marine life whaling wall artist, Wyland, National Geographic’s, David Doubilet, marine photographer, Bob Talbot, ocean explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle and my boyhood heroes, Ron & Valerie Taylor to name a few.
Ocean Artists Society
We are both former members of the British Columbia Association of Travel Writers. Our work as travel writers has taken us to England, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Tahiti, the Maldives, Fiji, Indonesia, Palau, Truk Lagoon, Ponape, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Hawaii, Cozumel, Baja, Bonaire, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Tahiti, The Philippines and Alaska.
The Ocean Agency is an international non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation that has raised over $100 million for critical ocean science and conservation, and has also generated over $400 million in media coverage of ocean issues since 2012. Jett is among 50 or so of the world’s leading underwater photographers who have generously donated imagery to The Ocean Agency’s Image Bank to help support the cause.
The Ocean Agency
Elephanatics is an elephant advocacy organization based in Vancouver, Canada. Formed in May 2013, Elephanatics’ mission is to assist global elephant conservation efforts by educating Canadians about issues of ivory poaching, habitat loss, and the continued exploitation of elephants by humans, and to connect Canadians directly with elephant conservation partners in Africa and Asia. Today, large-scale poaching to supply illegal ivory trafficking presents the most urgent threat to elephants. Conflict with humans, habitat loss and degradation, are also having a negative impact on elephants in both Africa and Asia. Jett feels it is a distinct honour and high privilege to serve as a Consultant in support of Elephanatics’ efforts to ban the sale of all elephant ivory in Canada and help protect elephants worldwide through education, advocacy and conservation.
Elephanatics
Jett is a Nikon Professional Services Member.