Credit: Bird Year
Do you remember your sophomore year in high school? It sort of fades in with all the others, doesn't it?
Malkolm Boothroyd's sophomore year, however, is one even I won't forget. Between the summers of 2007 and 2008, Malkolm and his parents Wendy and Ken undertook something much more memorable than history, chemistry and Spanish II. They traveled from their home in Canada's Yukon Territory south along the west coast of America, then headed east to Florida and back west again, ending up in Big Bend National Park in Texas.
And… they did this all on bikes. (Ok, they did a little bit of hiking, sailing, and paddling along the way.) They traveled over 13,000 miles under their own power, on an adventure they call "Bird Year."
Credit: Bird Year
Malkolm and his parents conceived of the trip as a conservation project on behalf of birds and bird habitat. And during the course of their year on the road, Malkolm identified 548 different species, and helped raise more than $23,000 for bird conservation. The family also gave numerous presentations along the route about their trip and conservation goals.
All while expending zero fossil fuels.
I owe Malkolm and his family a personal thank-you on behalf of the Boreal Songbird Initiative. BSI is one of the many organizations that Malkolm chose as a beneficiary of his Bird Year efforts. Since Malkolm's home is in the Yukon Boreal Forest, he knows of its importance for songbirds and other wildlife. We all appreciate the fundraising and awareness-raising Malkolm, Wendy, Ken and Christianne, their project manager, have fostered during this momentous journey.
Credit: Bird Year
Welcome home Malkolm - and many thanks.
If you'd like to find out more about the trip and read the Bird Year blog, check out the Bird Year web site at http://www.birdyear.com/. They are also still working to raise money here:
http://www.birdyear.com/Sponsor/Sponsor_Us.html
See More Pictures Below:
Taking a break for some crawfish:
Credit: Bird Year
Fraser River:
Credit: Bird Year
Stopping by Ft. Gaines:
Credit: Bird Year
Birds weren't the only flying objects in Roswell:
Credit: Roswell
Classic Southern cooking:
Credit: Bird Year
Battling the heat:
Credit: Bird Year
