“Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path." ~ From the book To Bless The Space Between Us by John O’Donohue
THE EXPLORERS CLUB is a professional society whose mission is to inspire exploration and the protection of wild places, from our backwoods to our oceans, mountain peaks and distant galaxies—while sustaining a spirit of fellowship among explorers and the scientific community. I was originally introduced to this esteemed organization by my late, former husband, Jim Chester, a Club Fellow. He was a caver. Hardcore. He logged over 2,000 hours underground, many in uncharted caves. He planted two Explorers Club flags and discovered a new species in the recesses of the earth. He briefly drug me into this world. Epic. Beautiful. But I quickly realized I prefer salt over dirt. Seafaring expeditions would continue to be my focus.
After Jim's death, I had the honor of presenting a tribute to Explorers Club members at the prestigious Club headquarters in New York City in 2016, highlighting his accomplishments. It was a significant pinnacle of my speaking career that came just months before my first book was released. More highlights followed, more books were written, more expeditions launched.
I'll cut to the chase now: About a week ago, I received word, and I quote: "The Explorers Club Board of Directors approved your application and you have been elected as a Fellow National. You are now part of an extraordinary family of explorers. Over the past 120 years, we have dedicated ourselves to the advancement of field research, scientific exploration, resource conservation, and the idea that it is vital to preserve the instinct to explore. Congratulations."
Major WOW factor there, eh?! To be part of a club with 3,500 members worldwide that represent every continent and has members in more than 60 countries, comprising 34 chapters around the globe. To be part of a 117-year-old Club with members making extraordinary accomplishments including: first to the North Pole, first to the South Pole, first to the summit of Mount Everest, first to the deepest point in the ocean, and first to the moon's surface. Current members are marine scientists, polar oceanographers, biologists, paleontologists, expedition leaders, astronauts, conservationists, the list continues. Membership in the club’s roster reads like a who’s who of some of the most famous people in the world: Neil Armstrong, Jane Goodall, Edmund Hillary, John Glenn, Sally Ride, Buzz Aldrin, Sylvia Earle, and on and on (and many lesser known explorers too, of course).
I'm, of course, honored—and honestly, a bit gobsmacked. Especially about the 'Fellow' designation, which is one step up from 'Member'. I want to thank EC Members Bill Steele and Bob Rein for encouraging me to apply, mentoring me, sponsoring me, and writing letters of recommendation to the Board. They respected my initial, short-sighted decision to decline the nomination, stating I wasn't qualified, and then dove full-in when I came to my senses.
When I began filling out the Explorers Club application, imposter syndrome kept creeping into my head. I’m not worthy of this esteemed recognition, I told myself. The work I’ve done pales in comparison to thousands of notable explorers on the roster. But, as I started writing about my accomplishments over the years, the cultural and scientific organizations that I support, the expedition companies I've represented, the honors, awards, and special recognition I’ve received, the lectures and various seminars I’ve given, the podiums I’ve stood at, the keynotes delivered, the stages I’ve graced, the blogs, articles, and books I’ve written, the adventurers I’ve mentored, the panels I’ve sat on, fieldwork I’ve done, citizen science service I've participated in, media appearances I've been privy to, etc, I took a step back. This compelled me to take a broader look at all that I have accomplished, rather than the microscopic approach I had been focusing on. Broad brush strokes, Susan!
I reviewed the Club's website: "WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR: You need not have climbed Everest, dived to the deepest point in the ocean, or discovered a new dinosaur. But we are looking for individuals who have gotten their hands dirty and their feet wet working in the field as participants in one or more documented scientific expeditions." OK, I thought, keep working.
And that work yielded dividends. Yes, this is momentous. I’ve always believed that we only conserve what we love and we only love what we understand. I’ve always been inspired by people—many of whom are Explorers Club members—who are champions of our world’s fragile ecosystems, who strive to help people understand. Over time, my own Inside Passage expeditions have become a springboard for my life’s work, leading me on a path of discovery as an author, public speaker, photographer, and a women explorer who has the growing ability to inspire and influence others. Going forward, I'd like to see my work contribute to the preservation of the remarkable coastlines along British Columbia's central coast (specifically the Great Bear Rainforest), and the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. Through my continued work I hope to inspire a deeper understanding of, and foster a deeper connection to, these fragile marine ecosystems, ultimately inciting a call to action for this planet we call home. The honor of being an Explorers Club member will be a powerful conveyance to this goal.
How will this acceptance influence how I approach future exploration endeavors? First, I must respond to this call, honor this gift I have been given, and summon the courage to carry it through. I'm excited about another collaboration with Pacific Wild, hopefully coinciding with World Oceans Week in early June, 2025. Visit this link to learn about the pivotal work we accomplished together in 2022. I feel compelled to return to Alaska, this time partnering with the Sitka Conservation Society on a project similar to what I did in the Great Bear Rainforest. I'll be paddling through fragile marine environments in the Tongass National Forest and the West Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness area, working on wilderness advocacy.
Bob Rein, in one of his blog posts, attributed a quote from longtime Club member Rebecca Martin: “Most of what you’ll find in the Explorer’s Club is adventure with a purpose.” I feel I truly have a purpose now!
So onto the real work of contributing to the Club’s mission and ethos!
Haiku
Why do I exist?
To share my gifts with the world
And love, always love
