This Quarter at Trebek
September 3, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE:
TREBEK COMBATS WILDFIRE: As wildfires increasingly threaten Canada’s landscapes, the Trebek Initiative is taking action. Discover how 2 of our projects are working to protect Canada’s forests, restore ecosystems, and shape a more sustainable future.
TREBEK EXPLORER STORIES: Featuring Jessica Houston’s all-female polar expedition to sail the Northwest Passage and Andrew Budziak, who is creating a documentary on the critical role of algae communities living on ice ceilings in the Kenora region.
WHERE IS TREBEK ACTIVE: Trebek funds are balanced across our 5 Focus Areas, and we have seen a steady increase in both the number and size of projects funded each year. Of the 38 projects awarded since 2021 - 15 are Complete and 23 are Active.
TREBEK 2025 APPLICATIONS OPEN: We are currently accepting applications for the 2025 team of Trebek Explorers, with an application deadline of October 30, 2024. Final project funding decisions will be announced in March 2025.
UPCOMING EVENTS: Don’t miss the chance to engage directly with National Geographic through a series of exciting events across Canada, offering unique opportunities to connect with explorers and discover the impactful work being done.
TREBEK COMBATS WILDFIRES
As wildfires increasingly threaten Canada’s landscapes, the Trebek Initiative is backing two key projects designed to address immediate threats and to build long-term resilience in our forests and support for the communities that live there.
Tackling Wildfires with Traditional Wisdom and Science
Kira Hoffman, a 2023 Trebek Grantee, is reviving cultural burning—a traditional Indigenous practice that uses controlled fires to manage and rejuvenate the land. After being suppressed by government policies for over a century, cultural burning is being reintroduced in collaboration with the Gitanyow Nation in northern British Columbia.
Kira’s project, “Fighting Fire with Food,” is about more than wildfire prevention -it’s focused on restoring ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing food security. By aligning with initiatives like the BC Wildfire Service’s Strategic Prevention Review, Hoffman’s work provides a new approach to wildfire management that blends traditional knowledge with modern science.
Using Science to Predict and Prevent Wildfires
Ellen Whitman, a 2024 Trebek Grantee, is at the forefront of using science to combat wildfires. Her project, “Mapping Forest Vulnerability to Wildfire-Catalyzed Vegetation Change,” aims to predict how Canada’s forests will respond to wildfires in a changing climate. Collaborating with the Canadian Forest Service, provincial fire management agencies, and Parks Canada, Whitman’s research provides critical insights for land-use planning and conservation.
Ellen’s work guides us on where to focus resources to protect vulnerable areas, making it a vital tool in developing future wildfire management strategies.
Building Resilience Against Wildfires Through Collaboration: Why Does This Matter?
By working closely with government partners and Indigenous communities, each project will help shape how we manage and protect Canada’s forests in the future. The Trebek Initiative is proud to support these efforts, embodying our commitment to preserving the natural world through innovation, collaboration, and respect for traditional Indigenous knowledge.
Our Trebek Explorers stories provide a mix of exciting and informative content to help inspire the next generation of Adventurers.
TREBEK EXPLORER STORIES
2022 Trebek Explorer
Jessica Houston
An All-Female Expedition Across the Northwest Passage Celebrating Female Contributions to the Arctic
Jessica Houston's project, "Beyond Her Horizons," documents the journey of an all-female polar expedition through the Northwest Passage, celebrating female contributions to the Arctic . Along with Okalik Eegeesiak and her crew, they sailed 5,400 km, visiting six remote communities and uncovering stories of women who have shaped the Arctic.
This project challenges colonial narratives and highlights the contributions of women in Arctic exploration, showcasing diverse voices often overlooked in historical accounts.
Trebek Grantee Jessica Houston, and Okalik Eegeesiak, an Inuit leader and former Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council, led the expedition.
Navigating the icy waters from Pond Inlet to Gjoa Haven, the crew encounters a majestic iceberg, a silent sentinel of the Arctic. These towering formations not only challenge the skill of sailors but also serve as breathtaking reminders of the beauty and fragility of our polar regions.
A Bowhead whale spotted between Pond Inlet and Gjoa Haven gracefully dips its tail into the frigid Arctic waters. This magnificent creature is likely performing a dive. When a Bowhead whale's tail emerges above the surface, it typically indicates that the whale is preparing to dive deep in search of food or to avoid a perceived threat.
The rugged cliffs of Bellot Strait rise dramatically from the icy waters, creating a breathtaking and formidable landscape. This narrow and challenging passage showcases the raw and untamed beauty of the Arctic, where steep rock faces meet the frigid sea.
Serene and ethereal, floating ice in Regent Inlet reflects the tranquil yet harsh Arctic environment. These ice formations, sculpted by nature, drift silently in the frigid waters, embodying the pristine beauty and delicate balance of the polar ecosystem.
2023 Trebek Explorer
Andrew Budziak
Uncovering the Secrets of Algae Beneath the Ice to Unlock Vital Insights into Freshwater Ecosystem Health
Andrew Budziak's project, "Under the Ice," follows a team of elite ice divers in the Kenora region as they venture into some of the most extreme environments on the planet to collect algae samples from winter ice ceilings. These algae communities, recently discovered in these challenging-to-access locations, are crucial to understanding the health of our freshwater lakes.
Through stunning underwater cinematography and engaging storytelling, this documentary reveals the importance of these hidden ecosystems and the urgent need to study them before ice coverage disappears due to climate change, providing vital insights into the future of our planet's freshwater resources.
Go behind the scenes as Andrew documents the team preparing for the extreme conditions they endured to collect the algae samples.
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
WHERE IS TREBEK ACTIVE?
Select to see the status of all 38 Trebek Initiative Projects
TREBEK 2025 APPLICATIONS OPEN
As we look ahead to 2025, we're excited to announce that we're on the hunt for our next group of Trebek Explorers. We're actively searching for visionary projects led by scientists, filmmakers, photographers, and artists who share our passion for Canadian nature and heritage.
If you know someone with an innovative idea that aligns with our mission, or if you’re curious about how we select and support these projects - select Apply Now!
Project submissions are open until October 30th, 2024, with funding decisions to be revealed in March 2025.
Want to experience the process for yourself? Select Apply Now!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Latest Film - Watch now on Disney+
Protecting Paradise: The Story of Niue premiered in June
Shot and produced by the Pristine Seas team during the scientific expedition to Niue in 2023, the documentary follows Niuean leaders and community members who are making bold changes to move the needle on marine protection.
Airing on TVO September 11,18, 25
Trebek Grantee Yvonne Drebert’s Documentary to Air on TVO
Yvonne documentary on the devastating impact of quagga mussels in the Great Lakes will soon air on TVO. Through stunning underwater footage, Yvonne sheds light on one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Canada’s freshwater ecosystems today.
October 7, 2024
Webinar with Explorer Victoria Herrmann
Join us for an exclusive webinar with Explorer Victoria Herrmann as she shares insights from her work on the Preserving Legacies project, focused on safeguarding cultural heritage sites from climate change impacts.
October 31, 2024
Premiere: For Winter at Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival
Witness the premiere of For Winter, a film produced by the Impact Story Lab at the National Geographic Society. Explorer Alison Criscitiello leads a daring expedition to the summit plateau of Mt. Logan, capturing a record-breaking ice core. This film inspires support for climate science and diversity in exploration. Get tickets.
November 17-18, 2024
NG Live: Nalini Nadkarni in Calgary – Roots to Canopy
Explore the fascinating world of trees with ecologist Nalini Nadkarni, who delves into the connections between forests and human well-being. Get tickets.
November 24-26, 2024
NG Live: Robbie Shone in Toronto – Adventures in Caving
Journey into the depths with cave photographer Robbie Shone as he shares thrilling stories and stunning visuals from his caving expeditions. Get tickets.
December 5, 2024
Explorer Classroom: Brave the Winter Cold with Esther Horvath
Join Explorer Esther Horvath as she takes you into the heart of Arctic research alongside women scientists braving the polar winter. Learn what it’s like to live and work in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Register here.
January 26-27, 2025
NG Live: Andrés Ruzo in Calgary – Hunt for Sleeping Giants
Join geoscientist Andrés Ruzo on a journey to uncover the mysteries of giant geothermal features across the world, from boiling rivers to vast volcanic landscapes. Get tickets.
February 12, 2025
NG Live: Doug Smith in Vancouver – Wild Wolves of Yellowstone
Discover the story of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park with wildlife biologist Doug Smith, who has dedicated his career to studying and conserving these magnificent creatures. Get tickets.
February 23, 2025
NG Live: Erika Woolsey in Toronto – Diving the Great Barrier Reef
Dive into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with marine biologist Erika Woolsey as she reveals the beauty and challenges of one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems. Get tickets.
THANK YOU
Your commitment fuels our Explorers’ efforts to make a meaningful impact every day—whether they’re discovering solutions to our shared challenges, preserving Canada’s cultural treasures, or inspiring the next generation of scientists, storytellers, and educators. Together, we’re igniting a passion to preserve across Canada, and offering hope for a sustainable future for all.