LATEST ISSUE
This Quarter at Trebek
Trebek in the Arctic
Stories from across the North exploring changing sea ice, food security and Arctic research.
EXPLORE BY FOCUS AREA
LAND
WATER
WILDLIFE
HISTORY & CULTURE
HISTORY & CULTURE
FEATURED PROJECT | LAND
Kira Hoffman
Fighting Fire with Food
How the Gitanyow Nation is reviving cultural burning to restore food sources and reduce wildfire risk.
| WILDLIFE
Nick Hawkins
Atlantic Salmon: The Fight to Survive
Documenting Atlantic salmon through rivers, dams, and changing waters
| WATER
Dalal Hanna
The Legacy of Forestry on Freshwaters
Tracking the long term impact of forestry on rivers across Canada
| HISTORY & CULTURE
Jessica Houston
Beyond Her Horizons
Navigating the Northwest Passage to document stories of women in the Arctic
FEATURED FILM | INVASIVE MUSSELS IMPACT ON THE GREAT LAKES
Yvonne Drebert
All Too Clear
Exploring how invasive quagga mussels are transforming the Great Lakes and reshaping one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems.
Camille Martel | Beneath the Ice
The first ever expedition to follow the endangered St. Lawrence beluga in the winter season.
| SHOREBIRD MIGRATION
Isabelle Groc | Sandpipers Last Supper
The story of a tiny shorebird’s epic journey, powered by an invisible fuel in the mud.
| BELUGA WHALES BEHAVIOUR IN WINTER
Follow Stories From the Field Each Quarter
Receive new stories and discoveries from Trebek grantees across Canada.
Direct to your inbox.
THIS QUARTER AT TREBEK
| WILDFIRE RESILIENCE
ISSUE #1 | FALL 2024
How Indigenous fire stewardship, climate change, and research are reshaping Canada’s forests.
| ARCTIC CLIMATE CHANGE
ISSUE #3 | SPRING 2025
From melting glaciers to shifting sea ice, researchers are tracking rapid change across Canada’s North.
| FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
ISSUE #4 | SUMMER 2025
Explore how invasive species, forestry, and climate change are transforming Canada’s lakes and rivers.
Two iconic organizations. One common goal.
The Trebek Initiative is a partnership between the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the National Geographic Society, supporting storytelling, science, conservation, and exploration across Canada.
THE TREBEK INITIATIVE MISSION
Ignite a Passion to Preserve
From films and long-form journalism to scientific and field research, Trebek Grantees are helping Canadians better understand the natural and cultural landscapes shaping the country’s future.
Respectful relationships with Indigenous and local communities are central to this work, bringing research together with knowledge and lived experience shaped through generations of connection to these lands and waters.
From coast to coast to coast, Trebek Grantees are documenting environmental and cultural change across Canada through science, storytelling, exploration, and community partnership.
Our annual Impact Report highlights the discoveries, collaborations, and outcomes emerging from this work, while showcasing the growing network supporting efforts to ignite a passion to preserve across Canada.
2025 IMPACT REPORT
JOIN US
Help Ignite a Passion to Preserve
From community screenings and classrooms to field research and storytelling, Trebek Grantees are helping Canadians better understand the natural and cultural world around them.
Your support helps expand the reach of this work across the country.
© Melissa Renwick (2024 Trebek Grantee)
The Trebek Initiative supports storytellers, scientists, educators, conservationists, and community leaders working on projects connected to Canada’s land, water, wildlife, history, and culture.
Selected grantees receive funding, mentorship, opportunities to share their work with broader audiences, and support through the Initiative’s storytelling and outreach network.
We are not currently accepting applications. The next Request for Proposals will open in October 2026.
Bring us your big, bold audacious ideas!
APPLY FOR A GRANT
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
Support from coast to coast to coast
Trebek Council
David and Alice Court (Chair, Trebek Council), Peter Aghar and Wendy Findlay, Kim and Farid Ahmad, Rob Ashe and Sandra Herrick, David Baar and Deidre Brink, John Berton and Kelley McKinnon, Edward Burtynsky, O.C., David and Clare Cheesewright, Andy Chisholm and Laurie Thomson, Paul Desmarais, Jr., O.C., O.Q, and Hélène Desmarais, C.M., O.Q., George and Doone Estey, Haig Farris, O.C., Anne Fitzgerald and Ian Tuck, Pam Isaak and Greg Kiessling, Michael Lay and Leagh Turner, Jim Leech, C.M., O.Ont., and Deborah Barrett, Sven-Olof and Kristin Lindblad, Barbara and Dougal Macdonald, John and Jan MacIntyre, Rob and Margaret MacLellan, Christine and Allen Magee, Biff and Sue Matthews, Susan McArthur and Jamie Reford, Bill and Sally Morris, Raymond Muzyka, C.M., and Leona De Boer, Chris and Stephanie Nelson, Steve and Joanne Quinn, Serge and Shannon Rancourt, Mike Robbins, André Rochette and Melanie Fortier, Martha Smart, Stephen Smith and Diane Blake, Frank and Debbi Sobey, Wendy Southall, Benita Warmbold, Jeff Willner and Stacey Madge.
Trebek Champions
Rona Ambrose, Deborah Apps, Zita Cobb, C.M., Rick Chad, Aiden Cyr, Ed Doherty, M.D., Brian Gallant, Q.C., Bob Ramsay, Michael Schmidt, Bernard Voyer, O.C., C.Q.,
Richard, Tessum and Nansen Weber.
The Trebek Council and Trebek Champions Circle are composed of a small group of passionate Canadian and Indigenous leaders who support our work, for which, we are incredibly grateful.
Trebek Partners help increase our reach and drive impact. Their support empowers us to continue protecting the natural world we all depend on. Together, we are igniting a passion to preserve.
