George Basch became Earth Gives' founding board member. He was key to rallying a number of nonprofits and partnerships that helped kick off the first year of Earth Gives Day. His critical role in our founding led us to create the George Basch Earth Champion Award and gave him the inaugural recognition in 2021.

George was tragically killed in a car accident in 2023 at the age of 85. We choose to celebrate his life. He began traveling internationally in 1962. His adventures took him to all seven continents multiple times and to more than 60 countries and territories. In those years, he witnessed the destruction of natural habitat because of population pressures. He also experienced the impact that these changes had on the other species inhabiting our planet, and on the world’s weather and climate.

Fondly known as “Explorer George” for his curious adventuring soul, he was never one to sit still. George's work in founding the Himalayan Stove Project to help the Nepalese cook without harming their health is what brought Rhonda and George together. Yet when the pandemic hit, the organization’s work stopped. George pivoted to assist with the formation of Earth Gives and became one of our inaugural board members.

With gusto, George reached out to the many organizations he had connections with, including The Explorer’s Club and the Rotarians just starting to advance their work on the environment.

George’s lifetime of commitment to the environment and early devotion to shaping Earth Gives not only landed him recognition as the Earth Champion for 2021, but also becoming the namesake to all future awards.

George Basch Earth Champion Award Recipients:

2022 - David Lawlor - formerly of the Western Environmental Law Center
2023 - Casey Bartrem, PhD. - Terragraphics International Foundation
2024 - Lewis Medina - formerly of the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association
2025 - Timm Esque - volunteer, Desert Abundance

Earth Gives Day is a change-making act.