Sea Women Expeditions - Norway 2022 Expedition

Hi, my name is Stephanie and I am fundraising for Sea Women Expeditions Norway 2022 Research Trip.

About the Expedition:

Planning an ocean expedition to the Arctic—much less in the winter—is not for the faint of heart…

With 75 days to departure, our international team of polar ocean explorers, scientists, artists, photographers, videographers, lawyers, historians, traditional knowledge holders, educators, and scuba diving professionals is busy finalizing our programming.

In November-December, our team of 34 Indigenous and non-Indigenous sea women will travel to Arctic Norway. The expedition will unfold at 70 degrees North latitude (350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle) where we'll run a women's leadership program in Tromso, followed by an ocean research program that includes an eDNA water sampling program, a passive acoustic recording program with multi-directional hydrophones, and a behavioural study to document interactions between snorkelers and orcas during the winter herring run.

About Sea Women Expeditions:

A volunteer-based organization, @Sea Women Expeditions creates a space for women to gain leadership skills and field experience in polar ocean expeditions integrating Exploration with the Arts & the Sciences.

Our mission is to scout, record, and document a warming Arctic.

To learn more about climate science, ocean policy, and gender issues in the Arctic—and to follow our preparations for Arctic Norway—you can “like” and “follow” us at @SeaWomenExpeditions.

During the past decade, Sea Women has run four ocean research and dive and snorkel expeditions to the Arctic—Canada (Nunavut and Nunatsiavut), Greenland, Iceland, and Norway. More than 80 women and girls, ages 16 to 78 years, have participated in these expeditions. In consultation with Indigenous team members and advisors, our sea women have brought the ocean to eye level—via mobile touch aquariums that temporarily house sea critters, underwater robot-building workshops, snorkel safaris, and scuba diving certifications—for more than 1,000 Inuit youths, girls, and elders living in remote coastal communities in Canada and Greenland. Around the world, our sea women have delivered lectures about a warming Arctic to K-12 youth, university students, scientific and industry associations, and the general public.

Watch this great video produced by GARMIN showcasing the ongoing work of Sea Women Expeditions.

About my role in the expedition:

I am supporting the Women's Leadership Program and supporting the science team. My background is in leadership, manufacturing, and engineering, with an emphasis on recognizing and uplifting women in STEM. This expedition is beyond any experience I've had and already is pushing me to grow and learn in ways I hadn't anticipated. I find it's often the case when seeking adventure that you are humbled. It's an honour to be involved with and learn from this exceptional group of women.

I will post updates here on my trip preparation here and post further thoughts on my training for this adventure on my personal blog at https://stephanieholko.com. Come follow along!

About the expedition costs:

Sea Women Expeditions is a self-funded volunteer-run organization; this trip is no exception. It's my goal to raise 25% of my personal expedition costs with the remainder going to support other participants and the programming for the expedition.

Traveling safely and responsibly to the Arctic and engaging in these valuable research activities comes at a price. To offset some of these costs, I will seek sponsorship, grants, and support from generous friends, family, and other wonderful humans like you. The money raised will go towards:

Return flights to Tromso: $2,000

Expedition Vessel Costs: $6,100

Gear Purchase & Rental: $1200

Hotels and Food $1,000

Insurance: $900

Admin Costs: $400

I hope to raise about one-quarter of the expedition costs - $2,900 - and anything raised above my personal expedition costs will be used to support other team members and other group expedition expenses. I appreciate any support you can give - no amount is too small. Your contribution will help Sea Women continue to build a cadre of capable and inspiring female polar explorers who are committed to protecting our planet by preserving the Arctic.