For many, the terms “geography” and “expedition” are synonymous.
Expanding knowledge of Canada’s geography through exploration and scientific expeditions, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society has a long history of funding both major and modest expeditions across the country.
To continue this tradition, the Society has two funding streams that support geographic expeditions taking place largely within Canada, by Canadians: its Expeditions Program and The Trebek Initiative, a collaboration with the National Geographic Society.
Featured expedition
The Mount Logan Ice Expedition 2021
Planning for the initiative was a wee bit bumpy – our website launched in December 2019 in advance of the May 2020 expedition, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the abrupt cancelation of that initial trip. We refocused for the following year, May 2021. The extra year of planning gave us the time to add other projects to the initiative: namely, the re-measurement of the summit elevation (measured by an RCGS-sponsored expedition in 1992), as well as the installation of a weather station on the summit plateau at Prospector Col.
Expeditions Program
The goal of the RCGS Expedition Program is to enhance the appreciation, understanding and knowledge of the physical, environmental and cultural geography of Canada by recognizing and encouraging the spirit of discovery and adventure through expeditions taking place largely within Canada.
Committee members:
Zac Robinson (Chair), TA Loeffler (Vice-Chair), John Pollack (Past Chair), Jean-Marie Beaulieu, Lisel Currie, Jill Heinerth, Priidu Juurand, Helen Sovdat
In 2021, MEC is donating $1 million to Canadian outdoor organizations to:
- Teach outdoor skills
- Protect wild spaces
- Grow the communities of people getting active outside
Funding from MEC is supporting groups across Canada with avalanche safety training, outdoor programs for youth, conserving wilderness, and lots more.
Society-funded expeditions will take MEC gear with them on their trips. Learn more about their Outdoor Impact program here.
Society has an urgent need for brave exploration, discovery and outreach. In the face of pressing challenges, the next generation will need to use their curiosity and global connectivity to collaborate, engage and chart a better future for humanity.Jill Heinerth, Explorer-in-Residence
