Every once in a while, I meet someone with an idea so ambitious that my first thought is, "Is this even possible?" And then I meet the people behind the dream like Timm and Leanna. That's exactly what happened when I was introduced to Wings of Survival by my friend Matt Moreau of The Earth Group. I immediately fell in love with this project and the story behind Wings of Survival.
Wings of Survival isn't simply a cycling expedition. It isn't just a conservation project. And it isn't only a documentary. It combines all three. It's a world-first expedition that combines science, education, conservation, storytelling, endurance, and community collaboration into one extraordinary mission.
After five years of planning, Dr. Timm Döbert and Leanna Carriere (from Edmonton Alberta Canada) are preparing to cycle more than 30,000 kilometres from Alaska to Patagonia, following one of nature's greatest endurance athletes: migratory birds.
Wings of Survival - Dr. Timm Döbert and Leanna Carriere
For nine months, they'll race alongside birds on the migration route, crossing mountains, deserts, forests, coastlines, and international borders while sharing the stories of the remarkable birds that connect our continents. As you can see from this LinkedIn post from Moving Artistry Production and their short film introducing the project.
These birds are extremely important to us humans for understanding the health and state of the planet. WOW.
Wings of Survival: Big Dreams Require Big Collaboration
At Raise a Dream, we often talk about the importance of collaboration and community. Dreams rarely become reality because of one person. They become reality because people, organizations, businesses, sponsors, volunteers, media partners, friends, family, and communities decide to believe in something bigger than themselves.
That's exactly what we're seeing with Wings of Survival.
Scientists are contributing years of research. Conservation organizations are sharing expertise and marketing support. Businesses and entrepreneurs are stepping forward with sponsorship and in-kind support. Communities are opening doors. People are making connections and introductions. Volunteers are donating countless hours and lending their skills and expertise.
And people around the world are helping spread the story.
No single partnership makes the expedition possible.
Together, they do. Together is how we make an impact.
It's a reminder that every collaboration, whether large or small, moves a dream forward.
If you are raising your own dreams and bringing projects to life, make sure you follow Wings of Survival on social media.
You will learn so much about how big projects take flight.
Stories Have the Power to Create Change
One of the things that excites me most about Wings of Survival is that this story won't end when Timm and Leanna return home after 9 months.
Award-winning filmmaker Justin Brunelle and his team at Moving Artistry Productions will be documenting the expedition (as will Timm and Leanna), capturing not only the incredible physical journey but also the people, wildlife, landscapes, challenges, and moments that most of us would never otherwise experience.
The documentary will allow audiences to experience the expedition long after the final kilometre has been ridden.
It will help connect people with migratory birds, fragile ecosystems, Indigenous communities, conservation efforts, and the remarkable resilience required to complete a journey of this scale.
That's the power of storytelling. Stories help us understand. They inspire us to care, and stories often become the catalyst for action.
Every Great Project Starts Before It's Ready
One lesson I've learned from working with entrepreneurs, nonprofits, authors, and change-makers is this:
There is never a perfect time to begin. If Timm and Leanna had waited until every dollar was raised, every partnership secured, every question answered, or every challenge removed, this expedition might never leave the starting line.
Instead, they've spent years building relationships, refining the vision, inviting others into the mission, and taking one step at a time. That's how many successful projects are built. Not all at once. But through consistent action… that means one idea, one conversation, one partnership, one supporter, one connection or introduction and one opportunity at a time.
What Can We Learn From the Wings of Survival?
Whether you're launching a business, writing a book, creating a community initiative, planning a tour, or planning your next fundraising campaign, there are valuable lessons in this expedition:
Big dreams aren't accomplished alone. They're built together and it’s the people who bring them to life so the project takes flight. July 15th, 2026, Wings of Survival takes flight. Timm and Leanna leave their home in Edmonton, drive to Alaska, and begin the expedition, cycling from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska.
How You Can Help and Get Involved
As part of the Wings of Survival team, I've had the privilege of watching this dream come to life from behind the scenes and lending my skills, expertise, and connections where I can. It's been like putting a puzzle together as a group. We are all bringing different pieces to complete the puzzle. I’ve learned so much about birds, ecosystems, and science from Timm. I have learned so much about health, endurance, and more from Leanna. It's been inspiring to see how many individuals, organizations, and businesses have stepped forward to help make this world-first expedition possible.
There are many ways to be a part of and support the project.
You can follow the journey, share the story, introduce potential partners or sponsors, contribute to the crowdfunding campaign, or simply help spread awareness about the importance of migratory bird conservation. Every conversation creates another opportunity and introductions open another door. If you have connections along the expedition route (see website), please let me know.
You can support their crowdfunding campaign by contributing here.
Every person who shares the story helps this mission reach farther than the team ever could on their own. Sometimes the greatest adventures aren't just about reaching a destination.
They're about inspiring thousands of others to believe that big dreams really can take flight.
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