The ‘Wings of Survival’ initiative is inspired by the mounting escalation of the global biodiversity and extinction crises. Since 1970 alone, we humans have extirpated 70% of wildlife populations, including billions of wild birds, with one in eight bird species now considered at risk of extinction. In doing so, we are endangering ourselves.
Our intent with Wings of Survival is to portray the inseparable connections between migratory birds and our own well-being, using creative storytelling and exemplary leadership. The goal is to inspire, enable, and empower people – athletes in particular – to protect and rewild 30% of nature by 2030, in accordance with the United Nations 30x30 call for planetary action. To this end, we are pioneering a storyline that uniquely bridges human adventure, extreme sports, natural history, and scientific exploration – and migratory birds are at the heart of this endeavor.
The four core pursuits of Wings of Survival are: (1) Awareness – Illustrate the inseparable bond between migratory birds, planetary health, and human well-being, (2) Education – Communicate practical actions to protect birds and their habitats, (3) Empowerment – Inspire athletes to become a voice and catalyst for nature, and (4) Action – Raise funds for the protection of critical migratory bird habitats. The shared denominator across these pursuits is storytelling. Rarely do facts or figures prompt us to act for nature: usually required is a potent combination of emotion and morality.
Ultimately, we must nurture and champion ambitions that keep our hopes for (and chances of) a liveable future alive. We must also plant the seeds that help people think about things they usually do not consider, and win audiences who typically do not gravitate towards environmental or conservation headlines. To bring these motivations to life, we will engage with people on the ground and virtually. We partner with local communities, national research institutes, international conservation organisations, and industry to amplify our ability to help advance urgently needed conservation action.
The world’s major flyways (migratory bird corridors spanning the planet) set the overarching geographical framework of Wings of Survival – a trilogy of unmotorized expeditions. In June 2026, we, Dr. Timm Döbert (scientist & explorer), and Leanna Carriere (endurance athlete), will embark on the first Wings of Survival expedition, a cycling and packrafting traverse of the Americas from Alaska’s High Arctic to the southern tip of Patagonia: 30,000km across 15 countries along the Pacific Americas flyway. By emulating – as humans – the arduous and perilous journeys of birds, the world’s greatest athletes, their stories become more tangible and relatable to our own.
This synergy creates a unique opportunity to showcase the vital importance of birds as barometers for the state of the planet. Birds connect continents, countries, and communities – and no different from our fundamental human needs, they depend on quality habitat, clean water and air, and nutritious food for their survival. By protecting migratory bird habitat across no less than 30% of the planet (in accordance with the UN 30x30 Biodiversity Target), humanity vows to safeguard all life on Earth. A shared responsibility (yet even more so a chance) that demands collaboration across borders and the broad spectrum of cultures, socio-economic backgrounds, and belief systems.
