Susan Conrad Email & Phone Number

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 Explorer 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. 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 is a powerful conveyance to that goal.

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

In 2022, as part of my solo expedition up the Inside Passage, I had the privilege of being the ears, eyes, and voice of the Great Bear Rainforest, bearing witness to the beauty, magic, and threats to inspire and motivate others to steward the oceans.Pacific Wild featured me in an engaging StoryMap that brought the Great Bear Rainforest component of my expedition to life while it was underway. My collaboration with this non-profit conservation group brought awareness to their work of creating a network of Marine Protected Areas throughout the Great Bear Rainforest, a region that stretches from the north end of Vancouver Island to Haida Gwaii. My work included sending data and images from remote areas while in the field, documenting any environmental impacts observed along the way, from derelict fishing gear and plastic on beaches, to logging and fish farms. Our efforts raised $40,000, all of which was funneled back into Pacific Wild’s marine protection campaigns. You can take a deeper dive into this project via this link.https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ef9669bcdc0742faa997175521a5084f

Worldwide

I have the privilege of joining forces with one of the world’s top expedition gear manufacturers. EXPED is a Swiss company, based in Zurich, represents a line of expedition equipment, including tents, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, duffels, backpacks, and dry bags that I have been putting to the test for years. Not only are their award-winning expedition products tested according to the highest quality and durability standards, EXPED calculates the carbon footprint of their products throughout the lifecycle, including the production of raw materials, the product's usage, and subsequent disposal or recycling. The calculated amount of CO2 equivalents (global warming potential) is then offset through meaningful climate protection projects. Whether I am bagging a peak, on a weekend getaway, or long-distance paddling adventure (my FAV) I love having quality gear that is built for the long haul. Check out my EXPED ambassador link here: https://www.expedusa.com/pages/brand-ambassador-susan-conrad

In spring 2010, with my world scaled down to an 18-foot sea kayak and a 1,200 mile ribbon of water known as the Inside Passage, I launched a journey of the sea and soul that took me both north to Alaska and inward, as I discovered the depths of my own strength and courage. I paddled marathon distances for weeks on end, forged friendships with quirky people in the strangest of places, and pretended not to be intimidated by 700-pound grizzly bears and 40-ton whales. I lived my dream.This is the story of that dream. It's the story of a physical and emotional journey through an alluring, perilous, and healing seascape. It will take you on an adventure along the coast of western North America; the same adventure that took me deep within myself, humbling me, reminding me that I had much to learn as I confronted fear, solitude, exhaustion—and crushing sadness. EDITORIAL REVIEW:So Susan, in my view you have joined an elite group of woman paddlers/writers which include Victoria Jason (Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak), Jill Fredston (Rowing to Latitude), Maria Coffey (A Boat in Our Baggage) and Audrey Sutherland (Paddling My Own Canoe and Paddling North). A better-than-average paddling book! I can’t wait for an autographed copy to add to my modest collection.~Paul Caffynlegendary ocean explorer and sea paddler author of The Dreamtime Voyage and Obscured by WavesSouth Island, New Zealand