ABOUT THE TREBEK INITIATIVE
Supporting the people documenting change across Canada.
IGNITING A PASSION TO PRESERVE
We believe stories shape how people understand the world
The Trebek Initiative supports researchers, photographers, filmmakers and conservation leaders documenting environmental and cultural change across Canada.
Grounded in science, exploration, Indigenous knowledge and community-led collaboration, their work helps connect people to the landscapes, wildlife and histories shaping the country today.
TWO ICONIC ORGANIZATIONS
ONE COMMON GOAL
Built on a shared legacy of storytelling and exploration, the Trebek Initiative is a partnership between the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Geographic Society.
ACROSS CANADA
Projects and fieldwork span communities and regions throughout the country.
Project Focus Area:
Land
Water
Wildlife
History & Culture
FROM DISCOVERY TO IMPACT
How promising ideas are supported from the field into public life
FUND & DEVELOP STORIES
Funding helps move fieldwork into films, photography, scientific publishing and public-facing storytelling.
GROWTH BEYOND INITIAL GRANT
Early support helps projects demonstrate their potential, opening the door to new funding, partnerships and collaboration.
IDENTIFY & SUPPORT TALENT
Emerging researchers, filmmakers and conservation leaders connect with the Initiative through workshops, mentorship
and application support.
AMPLIFY IMPACT
Films, articles, classroom programs and partnerships help projects reach
audiences beyond the field.
Inspired by Geography’s Greatest Champion, Alex Trebek
The late, renowned host of Jeopardy! and philanthropist had a passion for geographic literacy and supported both The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (where he served as Honorary President until his passing) and the National Geographic Society. That’s why we’ve named this initiative after him.
“Geographic knowledge has never been more important than it is today, because the better we know each other, the better we can understand and accept each other. My love of geography has allowed me to be associated with two organizations I deeply admire for more than 25 years, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
and National Geographic Society. I am humbled that these two esteemed organizations will form the Alex Trebek Council to help support efforts to increase understanding of Canada’s many
geographic wonders.”
—Alex Trebek, RCGS Honorary President, May 2016-2020
© Colin Rowe
STORIES FUEL IMPACT
Stories, research and public engagement help discoveries reach wider audiences
FILMS
Films help bring fieldwork and conservation stories to wider audiences.
MAGAZINES
Articles and features help share discoveries, environmental change and community perspectives with the public.
SCIENCE JOURNALS
Research findings contribute to scientific publishing and long-term understanding.
LIVE PRESENTATIONS
Public talks and educational partnerships connect researchers directly with students and communities.
GROWTH BEYOND THE TREBEK GRANT
Early support helps projects build evidence and momentum. When results show
promise, new funding and partnerships can help expand the work beyond the initial grant.
KIRA HOFFMAN
With new federal support, the Gitanyow Nation is expanding cultural burning knowledge-sharing with two other First Nations in British Columbia.
ANDREW BUDZIAK
Andrew’s freshwater research evolved into Freeze the Future,
expanding under-ice environmental DNA monitoring across Canada.
ALEXANDER DUNGATE
Fisheries monitoring research led to the creation of OnDeck AI, a computer vision company supporting conservation, robotics and public infrastructure.
JOIN US
Help Ignite a Passion to Preserve
Trebek Grantees are bringing field discoveries to audiences through films, classrooms, live events and community screenings.
Your support helps their stories reach further.
