Lindblad Expeditions has robust travel philanthropy programs in Alaska, Antarctica, Baja, Central America and Galapagos. We have also spent decades working for local conservation, raising more than $5 million with our guests in the last 10 years alone. In an effort to raise more money for conservation and sustainable tourism projects around the world, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic recently launched a new joint fund. Explore with us and discover the ways that tourism and conservation go hand-in-hand.

Outlined below are initiatives from each of our key regions:

ALASKA
In Alaska, Lindblad works with the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) and the Alaska Whale Foundation (AWF). Together with our guests, LEX has contributed $250,000 (as of October 2007). Monies donated to AWF assist with research projects on humpback whale communication and behavior, which is shared with guests through the research team's visit to the ships.

Click on the brown bear thumbnail to view a short video highlighting the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (SEACC) projects we support.

ANTARCTICA
In Antarctica, Lindblad has raised nearly $500,000 (as of October 2007) to support Oceanites, an Antarctic-focused non-profit organization seeking to gather information on penguin populations and the impacts of tourism. Our ship, National Geographic Endeavour, houses Oceanites scientists during their census activities as part of the Antarctic Site Inventory. Travelers have the opportunity to assist in basic research such as census-taking.

Click on the Gentoo penguin above to learn more about our collaboration with Oceanites and how their research reveals climate change effects in Antarctica.

BAJA
Together with our guests and international partners, LEX has contributed more than $1.3 million (as of October 2007) to support urgent projects in the Gulf of California. Every dollar our guests donate is matched by the Fondo Mexicano para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza and the Packard Foundation. Projects directly benefiting include sea lion disentanglement, the restoration of Santa Catalina Island, and radar surveillance of illegal fishing in the Bahia Loreto Marine Reserve.

Click on the whale fluke above to hear from Lindblad's Founder and President, Sven, as he talks about why protecting Baja is a vital part of our conservation efforts.

CENTRAL AMERICA
Our Central American partner in conservation is MarViva, an organization safeguarding and creating marine protected areas in oceanic and coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Monies donated to MarViva support community education initiatives, enforcement of regulations in National Parks, and buoys to protect coral reefs in Granita De Oro, Panama.

Click the video thumbnail for a glimpse into our Central American work with MarViva.

GALAPAGOS
Since 1997, Lindblad Expeditions has demonstrated a commitment to Galapagos, working with guests to support the conservation of these islands. As of October 2007, more than $4 million has been raised for projects such as the eradication of feral pigs on Santiago and the support of National Park Marine Reserve patrol boats. Funds from our guests are contributed entirely to local projects, as determined by an independent board and implemented by the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Research Station.

Click on the giant tortoise to learn more about our local initiatives in Galapagos.

 For more information on any of these programs, contact us.