Advance climate and biodiversity research by pioneering the use of eRNA technology in a global survey, and in concert, connect communities through thoughtful exploration, innovative education, and immersive storytelling.
Create a united, informed global community acting together to protect and understand our natural world, leveraging the power of science and storytelling.
Our original plan was to navigate the North West Passage in the summer of 2024. However, the challenges posed by climate change have necessitated a reassessment of our route. Delays in the Pacific Ocean, caused by droughts induced by global warming in Panama, along with limited opportunities for a timely passage through the Panama Canal, have made it essential to reconsider our strategy.
As a result, 2024 will be dedicated to a series of coastal shakedown expeditions. Our skilled crew, equipped with the necessary instruments, will participate in these preparatory voyages. This thorough preparation ensures our readiness for the North West Passage expedition, now scheduled for 2025. This prudent adjustment not only demonstrates our ability to adapt to changing circumstances but also underscores our unwavering dedication to ongoing exploration and scholarly pursuits, especially in the dynamic realm of the sea.
June to October 2025
Unveiling Nature's Mysteries: Our Journey of Discovery
🌍 Theme 1: Climate and Pollution
Objective: Understand the impact of human activities on our environment.
Unique Aspect: Uncovering hidden links between pollution and climate change, shedding light on urgent environmental challenges.
Data Analysis & Samples:
🌱 Theme 2: Ecology
Objective: Preserve biodiversity through advanced understanding of ecosystems.
Unique Aspect: Merging cutting-edge genetic analysis with indigenous knowledge for holistic conservation strategies, and the first deep analysis of Canadian waters from coast to coast to coast.
Data Analysis & Samples:
wisdom with scientific insights.
🦉 Theme 3: Conservation Science
Objective: Develop effective strategies for protecting and restoring ecosystems.
Unique Aspect: Use data-driven conservation plans to safeguard endangered species and restore delicate ecosystemsdata-driven conservation plans to safeguard endangered species and restore delicate ecosystems.
At the core of Expedition Audacity's (EA) research imperatives lies the meticulous gathering of marine eDNA and eRNA genetic material, meticulously undertaken throughout its expansive maritime journey. This concerted effort serves the paramount purpose of enriching our vast global scientific database, accomplished through a collaborative synergy with our esteemed scientific partner, EQO. This primary research objective stands as the lodestar guiding all subsequent EA expeditions. Simultaneously, a secondary research focus, underscored by regional nuances, is devoted to the comprehensive characterization of global climate change. This intricate endeavor involves a scrupulous examination of variations in pivotal scientific indicators, unraveling the ensuing ramifications on organisms intricately intertwined with these indicators.
The collaborative nexus between Expedition Audacity and EQO signifies a groundbreaking paradigm shift in the realm of environmental monitoring. Harnessing EQO's specialized proficiency in environmental RNA (eRNA) and environmental DNA (eDNA), this alliance introduces transformative methodologies to diagnose and revitalize global aquatic ecosystems. The profound impact of this symbiotic partnership exemplifies a seminal stride towards innovative and efficacious environmental conservation.
The three main goals of the Education & Outreach [E&O] team are to ‘share, collaborate, and document’ the scientific, cultural, and nautical explorations of Expedition Audacity. Tapping into all aspects of the expedition and its endeavors, the E&O team will produce a full STEAM+ curriculum to share with students around the world.
The E&O team will work collaboratively with local communities, on-board professionals, and a core group of participating classrooms to build equitable education spaces that celebrate individual voices, share information responsibly, and develop STEAM+ resources in the service life-long learning.
Expedition Luminescence innovates how scientific expeditions connect with student populations and raises the standard for the dissemination of primary source content. The Expedition presents an unparalleled opportunity to invite students into a dynamic world of science and inspire the next generation of curious young explorers worldwide.
Our documentary film crew is committed to telling the compelling story of life in the world's most remote corners, encapsulating the wonders of the marine ecosystem, the diverse wildlife, the vibrant Inuit communities, and the profound impacts of global warming. Furthermore, our focus extends to the shipboard experience, where we unveil the intricacies of scientific research initiatives, showcase meaningful interactions with local communities, and capture the allure of captivating underwater excursions facilitated by SCUBA or ROV technology.
In tandem with supporting documentary production and education outreach, our film crew in collaboration with Stanford Children's Hospital, Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, and St. Jude's Children's Hospital, are developing a revolutionary 3D/Virtual Reality curriculum tailored for children in acute care facilities to experience the outdoors in a way they may never have the opportunity for.
This innovative program seeks to bring the wonders of the planet's most majestic and remote locations, both above and below the water, directly into children’s learning environment. By providing a virtual window to the outdoors, the curriculum aims to educate, and illuminate, the wonders of our natural world for the next generation of explorers. After all, who knows what we may discover when we open the opportunity to experience it to children of all backgrounds?
A cutting-edge Technology and Robotics team, spearheaded by distinguished member of The Explorers Club, Colin Bettis, will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive support to both the Science Crew and Documentary Production Crew. Harnessing the latest advancements, the team will deploy state-of-the-art deep-water Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) designed to explore depths of up to 1000 meters, including the enigmatic Twilight Zone.
The Twilight Zone, distinguished by its nearly constant temperature of approximately 4 °C (39 °F) and a salinity range spanning 33-35 g/kg, unveils a realm shrouded in perpetual darkness due to the absence of sunlight penetration and limited bioluminescence. In this challenging environment, the ROVs will be equipped with cutting-edge 4K camera systems and an array of specialized tools. This strategic combination not only empowers scientific investigations by capturing high-resolution imagery but also serves the dual purpose of enhancing the visual production quality for the documentary team. The synchronized use of these advanced technologies underscores the team's commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration and storytelling in the depths of the ocean.
In collaboration with Make-A-Wish Canada and Dr. Martin Nweeia, we are honored to fulfill a wish. Extending an invitation to a child and their family to join us aboard the ship, our team will facilitate a unique and memorable interaction with Narwhals in the pristine wilderness of the North West Passage.
At the core of our expedition lies an unwavering commitment to sustainability, influencing every aspect of our journey, from the selection of our vessel to the choice of soaps and the technology we employ. To delve deeper into our sustainability initiatives, we have dedicated an entire page to this crucial aspect of our expedition. To explore our sustainability practices in detail, please click the link below.
Embark on a transformative journey with Expedition Audacity's Blueprint for an Environmental Research Foundation and Scientific Research Sailing Vessel (SRSV). This initiative seamlessly blends scientific exploration, environmental consciousness, education, and inclusivity, emphasizing a steadfast commitment to global impact. The blueprint spans uncharted territories of eRNA & eDNA, social anthropology, and deep-water exploration, establishing the Environmental Research Foundation (ERF) for a collective pursuit of knowledge. Picture the SRSV as a floating hub for scientific inquiry, prioritizing sustainability and responsible exploration. Scientists aboard, pioneers rather than passengers, conduct independent research during a circumnavigation mission exploring diverse ecosystems and remote locations. Expedition Audacity charts a course for a sustainable and inclusive future through engaging educational outreach and initiatives. Join us on this extraordinary journey towards a better tomorrow, united by understanding and stewardship.
In a world often dominated by celebrity and fraught with the challenges of misinformation regarding global warming and climate change, we've identified a powerful strategy for disseminating the truth. Our targeted approach involves engaging individuals with substantial followings or fan bases, offering them a unique opportunity to join our crew. Whether they emerge from the realms of social media, music, film, print media, or athletics, these influential figures, along with their families, can seamlessly integrate into our crew for a meaningful week or two. By immersing themselves in our mission, these individuals gain firsthand experiences that authentically connect them with the urgent issues our planet faces. Subsequently, they become compelling storytellers, sharing their insights with the world and contributing to a more accurate and impactful narrative surrounding the critical challenges of climate change.
We are in the process of raising funds from individuals, businesses, and strategic partnerships. Longer term, our plans are to fund the ongoing research and vessel operations through partnerships with our stakeholders.
Expedition Audacity is a certified 501C3 (U.S.A.) &
NPO (Canada, United Kingdom)
We love always to connect with sailors, scientists, fellow explorers and interested parties.
Our Expedition is approaching fast and we’re making preparations.
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We have cast of the lines and set sail, find us on social media to follow along or drop us a message to say hello!
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