Destinations at Risk trips are a new venture for us at Butterfield & Robinson, designed to bring interested travellers to regions of the world under environmental or cultural strain. As passionate world travellers, we've always been mindful of the transformative impact modern life has on local ecosystems and cultures. Destinations at Risk aims to take that philosophy a step further. By engaging experts--be they scientists, business leaders or environmentalists--and local stakeholders, the trips will attempt to educate and enlighten our travellers in a balanced manner on the challenges facing our planet by engaging them head-on and in-person.

This past August, B&R ran its first trip in the Destinations at Risk series; an eye-opening venture to the Athabasca Oil Sands in northern Alberta, Canada. Future departures are currently in development for threatened regions in Africa, Greenland and elsewhere.




February 17-22, 2009
The largest river in the world by volume, the Amazon River holds an estimated 20 per cent of our planet's supply of fresh water. Beginning deep in the moutainous heart of the Peruvian Andes, it crosses six South American nations before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean near Manaus, Brazil. Surrounded by rainforest, the Amazon basin is home to an incredible concentration of freshwater wildlife, including as many as 3,000 species of fish. And although humans inhabit only a small fraction of its 6,280-km (3,900-mi.) length, our impact is being felt: oil exploration, deforestation, encroaching agriculture, mining runoff and untreated sewage are changing the face and force of this vital waterway, and fast.

George Butterfield is a lifelong traveller, philanthropist and co-founder of Butterfield & Robinson. George developed the Destinations at Risk concept as a means to combine his love of travel with his passion for environmental awareness and conservation.

Martha Butterfield is a co-founder of Butterfield & Robinson and an active supporter of environmental and cultural advocacy groups worldwide. She has extensive personal experience in South America as a researcher and documentary filmmaker.

Celine Cousteau is a filmmaker, educational ambassador and "oceanaut" dedicated to heightening global awareness of our planet's delicate ecosystems. She is the granddaughter of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.

Dominic Giossan is a veteran B&R guide who's led trips to destinations in Europe, Asia and South America. A polyglot and vagabond extraordinaire, he brings keen insights into South American politics and culture.

Trip Length: 6 days/5 nights

Start/Finish: Lima, Peru

For more information on this upcoming trip, click here.

 
August 20-22, 2008
B&R's first Destinations at Risk trip took us to the Athabasca Oil Sands project, a massive bitumen-extraction operation near Fort McMurray, Alberta. Believed to hold as much as 1.7 trillion barrels worth of petroleum, the region is said to house the largest source of fossil fuel outside Saudi Arabia. Depending on who you ask, the Oil Sands are either a black-gold godsend with the potential to position Canada as a global fossil-fuel heavyweight, or an environmental catastrophe in the making, the effects of which will be felt for generations to come.

On our journey to northern Alberta, we engaged local residents, experts and stakeholders to better understand the ecological costs and economic benefits of this colossal project. We attended presentations by representatives of the scientific and business communities before dinner at one of the city's top tables. The next morning, we flew to Fort McMurray for a helicopter tour of the mines, refineries, outflow ponds and the city itself. In the afternoon, we met with an industry liaison and an elder from the nearby Fort McKay First Nation. After our meal, co-host Edward Burtynsky presented a slideshow of photo essays concerning the Oil Sands project.

In keeping with the environmental concerns posed by the Athabasca Oil Sands project, all carbon emissions generated by this trip were offset.

                    "The Athabasca Oil Sands trip was an incredibly important event for me that both altered and 
                    enhanced my perspective on our society's relationship to energy. The access B&R achieved was 
                    incredible... I came away with a complete picture of what's going on up there and how important
                    it is. I wish everyone could experience a trip like this, as I know it would change perspectives for 
                    the better. I could not recommend it more highly to anyone interested in energy or the 
                    environment."

                                                              -Andrew Heintzman, 2008 DAR Athabasca Oil Sands attendee

Trip Length: 3 days/2 nights

Start/Finish: Calgary/Fort McMurray

To review the detailed itinerary click here.


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