A world-first Race with Nature

Wings of Survival features Dr Timm Döbert, tropical ecologist and scientific explorer, and Leanna Carriere, Extreme athlete and mum, as they embark on a ground-breaking quest for life on Earth

The Expedition

At the heart of this extreme challenge on body and mind, lies a nine-month, 30,000km cycling expedition from Alaska’s High Arctic to Tierra del Fuego — inspired by the greatest endurance athletes on the planet: migratory birds. In a world-first, Timm and Leanna will emulate the daring, southbound journeys of three GPS-tracked whimbrels — a story of hope and survival.

The Mission

Wings of Survival aims to ignite a shift in how we understand our role on Earth, offering an awe-inspiring glimpse into nature’s most daring phenomenon — an immersive experience of bird migration — to nurture emotional connection and planetary stewardship.

“OUR STORY EMPOWERS A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE: FROM HUMANS AS EXPLOITERS OF NATURE, TO HUMANS AS GUARDIANS OF THE WEB OF LIFE.“

Major in-kind donations to date include a support vehicle (GoAuto), expedition bikes (Tout Terrain), dynamo wheelsets (Hunt), GPS tags (Lotek), and expedition packrafts (Alpacka Raft). About 30% of the overall expedition costs - planning, preparation, & execution - have been generously donated to date. For maximum impact across science, education, and storytelling we require additional support.

our ImpacT

SCIENCE & RESEARCH — An interdisciplinary team of scientists is collecting pioneering data on the resilience of plant-based endurance cyclists and the migrations of threatened shorebirds across the Pacific Americas Flyway.

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY — Virtual classrooms open the expedition to young people around the world. Through awe-inspiring stories from all 15 countries en route, curiosity, awareness, and a lasting connection to nature and science are fostered.

THE FILM — The Wings of Survival film is in development by international film producers.

Support our Impact
Support our Impact

Explore with us

55 days until the start line. A world-first — Racing with Nature. 30,000 km by bike, following the Whimbrels as we both trace the Pacific Flyway. Every mile connects ecosystems, wildlife, and our own human health in ways we’re only begi
Come join us for World Migratory Bird Day! 📍 Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park 🗓 Saturday, May 9, 2026 ⏰ 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM 🎟 FREE admission Celebrate the incredible journeys of migratory birds and learn how we can help protect them. Fr
Did you know? The Bar-tailed Godwit holds the record for the longest non-stop flight—13,560 km. And the Whimbrel isn’t far behind—flying thousands of kilometers non-stop over the open ocean, guided by wind and Earth’s natur
Climate change will directly impact how, when, and if we can keep moving. As we cycle from Alaska to Patagonia: 🔥 Wildfires may force us off route completely, shutting down roads and putting entire regions out of reach 🌫️ Smoke and air pollution