Here comes a new mission...
Do you want to be part of a conservation project or expedition, but don't know how? Finally, here is an expedition you can be a key part of - whoever and wherever you are!
This August, our founder Sacha is off on an incredible challenge, over land and sea and this time, powered by people. She will be jretracing the migration route on the Bewick's swan and hundreds of thousands of other birds from the tip of Ireland, all the way to Scandinavia. This is the return of the award-winning Flight of the Swans expedition - a flight by paramotor from the Russian Arctic to the UK to understand why we are losing so many birds on their long journeys. This is a personal journey and in support of Conservation without Borders, so we will be sharing it with you.
This time, our expedition team will be cycling and kayaking, meeting incredible people, recording and sharing the journey. Phase one ends at the
Nordic
Summit of Species in Denmark, a summit about how science can motivate the public, to step up for nature, bringing new skills, ideas and influence.
The overall goal is simple but urgent: understand the state of nature, find the solutions and people making a difference, and rally public support for species recovery before it is too late.
You can play a key role, in several ways...
You can be part of the expedition and the IUCN Action plan for saving species, by joining us for a stretch (all abilities welcome!), hosting a film screening for yourself or a group, or nominating someone that is stepping up for nature. Here's how:
1) Nominate a nature hero in your community/ industry - the form
2) Hosting a film screening - watch the trailer here
3) Joining us for part of the journey -
route map
Why follow the swans?
This expedition is about swans and the state of nature, but it is also about us. Their journeys give insights into the most important issues from climate change, pollution, agriculture, and the state of our rivers, wetlands and seas.
Follow the journey across many lands
on
social media and join our
webinars with inspirational people
we discover along the way. Hear stories of science and conservation adventures over the past and challenges we need to tackle now - perhaps your knowledge, experience or networks could help?
This is how our film makers described it:
"This journey is about human resilience, conservation urgency and the power of purpose. As Sacha Dench undertakes her first major physical challenge after injury, accompanied by her partner Poul Brix, we follow their journey along the migration route of swans—from Ireland to Denmark—documenting both environmental shifts and personal ones. We’ll witness not only wildlife and wild places but also the people stepping up to restore nature across Europe."
Join the weekly expedition sessions with stories from the road
You'll hear about our adventures, meet amazing people that are going to extraordinary lengths for conservation and find out more about how you can support. The sessions are on Wednesdays at 18.30 UK, 19.30 CET, 20.30 EEST!
This week's session is about the Irish Sea Crossing. Sacha will tell stories and answer questions about the 19 hours she spent kayaking solo from Wexford Slobs in Ireland to St. Davids in Wales. Her journey included seal barking, slapping dolphins and a Russian sea captain trying to rescue her.
Subscribe now to join
Flight of the Swans - the trailer
This award-winning film takes us an adventure into the world from above, through the eyes of birds and into the lives of the incredible people trying to save them. It also covers rivers, wetlands, seas, pollution, climate change.
By hosting screenings in countries across Europe you will reconnect us with nature, spread awareness of the critical biodiversity issues, and might inspire the next conservation heroes.
There are also options to fundraise and help us be a force multiplier for nature.
Join the project
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a Europe-wide campaign to save species, and step up for nature.
01 MEET-UPS EN ROUTE
Cycle a stretch, or visit us in camp?
See the route map (below) for our planned route, which will get live updates whilst we are cycling and paddling.
Here are the dates we plan to arrive in each country.
Feel free to come dressed in an expedition t-shirt or dressed as a swan!
For details email:
sacha@conservation-without-borders.org
02 HOST A SCREENING
Be part of the IUCN action plan for swans
Bring the award-winning
Flight of the Swans film to your community or company.
For the duration of the expedition, you can screen the film at home, in communities or companies. You will raise awareness for critical issues for conservation, raise funds for us to amplify conservation efforts along the flyway, and perhaps gather a team behind local conservation efforts.
03 NOMINATE A Nature HERO
Your chance to thank heroes for nature
Know someone that is making a difference for nature? We're looking for people that are doing extraordinary things - whether going above and beyond their day job or going out of their comfort zones to step up for nature. Just by nominating a person you become a 'force multiplier for nature'.
Companies can join this species-saving mission
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a Europe-wide project to save species, and step up for nature.
01 HOST A SCREENING
& TALK
The Flight of the Swans film has shown in corporate offices around the world as part of its film festival tour.
Make a donation that goes direct to conservation, to:
- host a film screening
+ virtual or in person Q&A with Sacha.
This session can cover:
- The UN SDGs -
pollution, climate change, life on water, life on land, and more. A screening helps us raise awareness.
-
Challenges your teams are facing: from team work, silos, leadership, diversity, creativity, problem-solving, general sustainability, change and adaptations etc.
02 NOMINATE AN EXTRAORDINARY HERO
In companies across the UK and the rest of Europe, there are people, often working behind the scenes, taking action for nature. We want to find them.
They might be a
shareholder influencing boards, a
CEO leading an industry to a circular economy, or an
entrepreneur. They might be using their
savings in support of nature.
Famous or completely unknown, big scale or small!
What this person does might already be high profile, or perhaps only their colleagues, a competitor, or a family member that really sees the efforts they are making.
We are looking to find and thank these forces for nature, and thank them. If they are willing, we will share their story to inspire others
03 LET'S TALK!
Does your company, department or team want to suport a project with purpose or find your own?
UNSTOPPABLE - Sea to Summit brings together key environmental issues, and connects amazing people across borders.
Conservation Without Borders can also work with teams and brands in a variety of ways that bring your ESG aims and lans to life, engage staff and other shareholders, or help you find a purpose.
#TogetherWeFly
Support us
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a Europe-wide campaign to save species, and step up for nature.
01 BUY A T-SHIRT
Wear a t-shirt in support and spread the message. Every shirt helps fund conservation.
Our limited-edition t-shirts combine purpose, passion and style.
02 JOIN THE TEAM
Join our global community of changemakers, by signing up to give a monthly donation of whatever you can. All regular donors will receive exclusive updates from the expeditions, behind the scenes information, monthly webinars and more.
03 DONATE
Your donation directly supports our team on the ground and the conservation of wetlands and species across Europe.
For a conversation about any of the above opportunities and how CWB use our unique skills in expeditions, story-telling, creative events, film making, content creation, science communication, social media outreach, education, impactful PR campaigns etc, email: sacha@conservation-without-borders.org
The Route Map
New Paragraph
"That swans should fly from Russia to spend the winter here, is surely a kind of parable. We can live in harmony with nature, and it is up to us to do so.
The future of life on earth depends on our ability to take action."
Sir David Attenborough, CWB Patron
Thanks to our amazing supporters
In association with
