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BESPOKE
Next Generation
MENTORING GLOBAL STEWARDS WITH LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS. REGARDED AS THE FATHER OF ECOTOURISM, LarsEric Lindblad brought the first non-scientific travelers to such fragile and far-flung locales as Antarctica and the Galápagos more than 55 years ago. And he never questioned bringing along his son, Sven-Olof Lindblad, on his adventures. He believed the key to preserving our wild places was to bring people—especially the next generation—to experience them first-hand, so they could understand the importance of protecting them for generations to come. Sven-Olof has carried on his father’s legacy with the National Geographic Global Explorers program developed in conjunction with National Geographic Education. Designed with multi-generational families in mind, these naturalist-led expeditions encourage shared activities that actively explore the natural environment and unite families. Instead of parents at cocktail hour and kids in the game room, families
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gather together in the lounge before dinner and review the day’s wildlife sightings, from large creatures (humpback whales) to small (bald eagles). Parents get a fresh perspective when they get to see a destination through the eyes of their kids, while kids get to play naturalist as they chronicle observations in Field Notebooks, view plankton under video microscopes, and learn to drive a Zodiac. Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic-certified photography instructors (CPIs) are also on hand to give tips on capturing the perfect wildlife shots. It’s a learning experience for all ages that leaves travelers with a deeper understanding of the natural world and a commitment to being future environmental stewards. Here are highlights from Lindblad’s long-running trips in Alaska, Baja, and the Galápagos, as well as a look at the National Geographic Global Explorers program, which debuted in Antarctica in December 2021.
