The Wings of Survival initiative is a ground-breaking #AthletesForNature movement pursuing the United Nations’ 30×30 biodiversity target: 30% of land and water by 2030. The initiative is underpinned by a trilogy of unmotorized expeditions, following the epic journeys of migratory shorebirds – the world’s greatest ‘athletes’ and barometers of the planet’s health – across transcontinental flight paths. It is a unique chance to portray the birds’ exceptional feats of endurance, resilience and courage through the human lens. By emulating the arduous and perilous journeys of birds, their stories become more tangible and relatable to our own; after all, emotional connection precedes care and action.
The maiden Wings of Survival expedition across the Pacific Americas flyway, from Alaska’s High Arctic to Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia, is set to start in June 2026 and follows the migration of whimbrels. These threatened shorebirds undertake some of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom, spanning continents, countries, and communities. In partnership with Manomet Conservation Sciences, we will fit a select number of adult birds with GPS tracking devices during their Arctic breeding grounds, as part of a long-term monitoring study. The destination and fate of these individuals will be completely uncertain, creating an arc of suspense as to whether we will meet again along our parallel journeys and even reunite at the southern tip of South America.
Arrival at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary after 30 days and 4500km cycling across Canada. Photo: Kristyn Carriere
The estimated duration of the expedition is nine months, with the ambition of arriving in Patagonia before the whimbrels have commenced their northbound return. Along the route, we will engage with local communities, inviting cycling enthusiasts to join us on their bikes and participate in diverse shorebird conservation events. Virtual engagement with global audiences is another important pillar, as is the ongoing collection of pioneering sport-ecological research data.
To this end, we plan to visit 30 key biodiversity areas of high conservation value to whimbrels and other migratory shorebirds, including several WHSRN sites. In support of the many deeply dedicated individuals and organisations in each of the countries along our route, we hope to partner with local bird conservation groups to help tell their stories. Once each stop along the journey is identified, we will encourage local partners to organize community events—such as mangrove restoration days, beach clean-ups, or bird-themed cycling challenges—to build local support for bird conservation.
Over the past three years, the planning and preparation of Wings of Survival have been documented by international film producers, with the ultimate goal of a professional expedition film. We invite you to watch the teaser, including a Spanish subtitle version, and demo on our Wings of Survival Vimeo channel.
Left: Refueling stop on the road from Halifax to Vancouver. Right: Still a long way to ride: day two at the Bay of Fundy WHSRN site in Eastern Canada. Photos: Leanna Carriere.
In preparation for the 2026 Wings of Survival expedition, Leanna and I cycled 4,500km coast to coast across Canada last summer. Framed as a 30×30 Challenge, we visited 30 key biodiversity areas along our 30-day journey, including three WHSRN sites: the Bay of Fundy, Chaplin Old Wives Reed Lakes, and Fraser River Estuary. This coming August, we will once again ride across Canada: 3,000km from Canada’s Pacific to the Arctic Ocean, using storytelling to creatively portray the interconnectedness between migratory birds, planetary health, and human well-being.
Stories that appeal to people’s sense of wonder and imagination for nature are an essential ingredient to fuelling empathy and care, and sport is the world’s greatest unifying force. We are excited to welcome you to the Wings of Survival initiative, as a follower spreading the word, a financial supporter leveraging our ability to create a positive impact for nature (GoFundMe), or a donor helping us to grow the Wings of Survival Community Forest.
We’d love to hear from you!
timm.dobert@gmail.com, +1 (780) 803-8931
Author profile:
Dr. Timm Döbert has a PhD in Global Change Ecology from the University of Western Australia. He holds fellowships in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, the Scientific Exploration Society, and the Canada Chapter Explorers Club. He represents the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a Canadian expert in the Commission on Education and Communication and the World Commission on Protected Areas.
Cover image: Bill Ault.
Bay of Fundy. Photo: Getty Images
