Race our 5 expeditionists through the Great Bear Sea from Telegraph Cove to Alaska!
Who will get to the alaska border first?
Three New Zealanders and two Canadians are embarking on a 1,500 km journey of discovery by kayak through the Great Bear Rainforest and beyond to Juneau, Alaska.
The first section of the trip covers a 575-kilometre journey from Telegraph Cove (just south of Vancouver Island’s Telegraph Cove) to the Alaska border.
The expedition kicked off on May 28th, 2025, and we’re inviting you to race the team to the U.S. border and raise funds for marine protection in the Great Bear Sea!
Along the way they will be sending vlogs and images to share their progress on a live story map. Anyone can follow along on the map in real time, where they’ll be offering insights into the wildlife, ecosystems and communities encountered on the route.
The Great Bear Rainforest portion of the expedition is expected to take approximately six weeks to complete.
Follow the Passage Paddlers on the live Story Map | Play Biodiversity Bingo Great Bear Sea Edition
Two Canucks. Three Kiwis. Young. Brave. Determined.
But this isn’t just their story.
It’s yours.
Because you – dear Race to Alaska Fundraiser – are the one paddling toward progress. Donate as many ‘kilometres’ as you wish to be the first to Alaska!
Sponsor 1 km for $18. Or 10km for $180. Or the whole coastline if you like.
Every “kilometre” you sponsor helps us outpace the expeditionists—and strengthen and expand marine protection in B.C.
race to alaska fundraisers (that's you!)
The passage paddlers
Donate $18 and sponsor 1km of the 575km journey through the Great Bear Rainforest!
We’ve set a goal: $10,000
That’s what it takes to ensure communities, science, and conservation voices are heard above industry noise.
Your Impact: You’re the Voice the Ocean Needs
Marine protection is a promise to the future.
But not everyone wants that promise kept.
Behind the scenes, powerful interests like industrial lobbyists are working hard to stall, shrink, or silence these protections.
Even with federal promises to safeguard 30% of Canada’s oceans by 2030, the pressure to delay or dilute real protection is relentless.
And that’s why your gift matters so profoundly.
Because you—yes, you—are the counterweight.
The steady, wise, and deeply principled voice calling for balance.
You believe in coexistence over exploitation.
You’re the kind of person who takes action when action is needed.
You see what’s right—and you move toward it.
Your impact can ripple far beyond the coastline.
Be the reason protection wins.
Because you’re not just funding a race.
You’re leading it!
Follow the paddlers on the interactive Story Map
Play Biodiversity Bingo and win cool prizes!
