A conservation-focused drone photography, mapping, and environmental storytelling eco-adventure

Arrive Monday, October 5- Depart Friday, October 9, 2026

This is an expedition-style experience — observational, participatory, and grounded in real conservation work — rather than a tour, workshop, or training course.

The Trek is guided by Dr. Kim Baldwin, marine ecologist and drone mapping specialist with over 25 years of environmental work in the Caribbean.

Rather than technical instruction or a traditional tour, participants step into the day-to-day reality of conservation work — visiting active project sites, engaging with local partners, and seeing how drone data, local knowledge, and community relationships come together in practice.

Participants explore Barbados from ridge to reef — from regenerative agricultural landscapes and conservation wetlands to UNESCO World Heritage coastal zones — gaining insight into how drones support environmental monitoring, ethical storytelling, and responsible decision-making.

Dr. Kim Baldwin is a marine ecologist, participatory GIS specialist, and international drone

mapping trainer who has lived and worked in Barbados for over 25 years.

She has designed and led conservation drone programs across the Caribbean and globally, working with: Local community and non-profit environmental management groups, national government agencies, The University of the West Indies, United Nations and Caribbean regional initiatives

This Trek reflects the real projects, relationships, and places that define her work as a marine ecologist — offering guests access and insight not available through conventional tourism offering.

This retreat blends technical learning with experiential travel, community engagement, and professional networking.

Participants can expect to:

• Learn how drones are applied in real-world conservation and environmental monitoring within a small island context, including coastal, marine, and terrestrial environments

• Gain hands-on flying experience in authentic field conditions, accounting for wind, weather, terrain, and operational constraints common in island environments

• Understand ethical and responsible drone operations, including local regulations, international travel considerations, and best practices for conservation-focused work

• Capture imagery and video with purpose, creating high-quality aerial content that supports conservation storytelling, mapping, and environmental communication

• Build a practical portfolio of aerial imagery and video that reflects professional, conservation-based drone applications rather than recreational flying

• Participate in discussions around “Drones for Good,” participatory mapping, and community engagement, including how drone outputs can be shared responsibly with local stakeholders

• Connect with fellow drone operators, conservation professionals, and local practitioners through structured learning and networking opportunities

• Experience Barbados beyond traditional tourism through curated field sites, community interaction, and place-based environmental learning

👉 You do NOT need to be a drone pilot.

This Trek is ideal for:

• Purpose-driven travelers seeking a meaningful, immersive experience

• Environmental professionals, scientists, planners, or conservation advocates

• Creators and storytellers interested in ethical environmental storytelling

• Drone pilots and non-pilots curious about real conservation applications

• Anyone drawn to responsible tourism, community engagement, and learning by doing

Daily opportunities for supported drone flying and photography are built into the field schedule. Drones are available, supported, and demonstrated throughout the Trek.

Participants may:

• Fly their own drone

• Use provided equipment

• Observe and engage at their comfort level

All participation is optional and supported.

Participants should expect light to moderate physical activity, including walking on beaches, coastal paths, and uneven natural surfaces in a warm and humid climate.

Some field locations may involve short walks over sand, rocky shorelines, or gently sloped terrain.

Activities are paced to accommodate varying fitness levels, with frequent breaks and flexibility built into the schedule.

• Combination of structured classroom and field sessions

• Networking Event

Participants are not passive observers. Throughout the journey, they are encouraged to:

• Fly drones responsibly during guided field sessions (Days 2–4)

• Capture aerial imagery and video

• Develop short visual stories or photo sets

• Share selected imagery and maps back with local partners

• Engage respectfully with local practitioners and communities

This is a Drones-for-Good experience, centered on reciprocity, ethical practice, and real contribution.

As most international flights arrive between 12:00–3:00 PM. Day 1 is a light arrival and welcome evening, followed by three full field days. Drone flying opportunities occur on Days 2–4, weather and site conditions permitting.

Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome

• Arrival in Barbados

• Evening welcome reception with local food and drinks

• Orientation to the Trek, Barbados context, and conservation themes

• Introduction to drone ethics, local regulations, and project focus

Day 2 – Conservation Landscapes & Regenerative Agriculture

• Guided island exploration (east coast & interior)

• Visit to Long Pond Conservation Site with the Land Conservation Trust of Barbados

  • Drone mapping demonstration & habitat discussion

• Visit to Walker’s Reserve & WIRED Research Center

  • Regenerative agriculture, land restoration & drone monitoring

• Farm-to-table lunch at a local restaurant

• Multiple opportunities for drone flying and photography

Day 3 – Coastal Systems, Wildlife & Heritage

• Field day at Carlisle Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Sea turtle conservation context with the Barbados Sea Turtle Project

• Coastal drone applications & ethical wildlife operations

• Beach time: swim, walk, relax, explore

• Optional snorkeling or dive excursion (shipwrecks)

Drone flying opportunities throughout the day

Day 4 – Participatory Mapping, Community & Knowledge Sharing

• Discussion of participatory mapping and community-based approaches

• How drone data and storytelling support local decision-making

• Opportunity for participants to share photos, stories, and insights

• Closing community reception with local partners

• Formal hand-off of imagery and information to project partners

• Group size: Small group (8–10 participants)

• Drone experience: Not required

• Drones: Available and supported

• Drone licensing: Assistance provided for local compliance

  • Local drone license fee: approx. $15 USD

• Pre-trip orientation: Mandatory virtual briefing covering logistics and local drone policies

What This Journey Is

• A learning-through-experience conservation immersion

• Grounded in long-term projects Dr. Kim actively works on in Barbados

• Focused on ethical drone use, monitoring, and storytelling

• An opportunity to create imagery and media that give back

• A chance to network with local conservation organizations, drone pilots, and practitioners

• Built on participatory, ecosystem-based management principles

What This Journey Is Not

• Not a drone certification or technical training course

• Not an influencer or content-creation retreat

• Not a luxury resort vacation

• Not fast-paced or high-volume tourism

• Personal drone and batteries

• Laptop for reviewing and editing imagery (recommended)

• Chargers, power banks, and memory cards (no adapter needed)

• Sun protection, hat, sunscreen and bug spray

• Comfortable walking shoes, swim wear and sandals

• Lightweight field clothing suitable for warm conditions

• Supplemental drones for limited shared use (if needed)

• Assistance with obtaining local drone license ($15 USD)

• Transportation to/from curated field trips

• Field briefings, safety protocols, and local operational guidance

• Access to learning materials and curated field locations

• Lunches on fieldwork days (4)

• Closing reception dinner (local fish-fry)

Most international flights arrive between 12:00–3:00 PM.

• Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), Barbados

• TREK host will handle your daily transportation for TREK activities

Once you are registered, you will be invited to participate in virtual planning sessions to answer questions, discuss travel logistics and TREK details.

Lodging is independent from the Conservation Trek. Once you've registered, your TREK host can suggest lodging options including Airbnb's and local hotels.

Participants will receive guidance and recommendations to help select lodging that fits their comfort level and budget. Options include:

• Airbnb / shared lodging: approx. $75–$125 per night (shared)

• Hotels: approx. $200+ per night

• Optional group villa: pricing dependent on group size and interest

Accommodation preferences will be coordinated after registration.

• Bookings and deposits: A deposit is required to secure your reservation. Deposits made 45 or more calendar days before the trip are refundable, minus a $100.00 administrative fee.

• 22–44 calendar days before departure: If you cancel during this window, your deposit will be applied toward a 35% cancellation fee of the total trip price; if the deposit does not cover the fee, the remaining balance will be charged.

• Within 21 calendar days of departure: No refunds; all payments are forfeited due to final supplier commitments.

• Refund processing: When a refund is due, we will process it within 14 business days of receiving written cancellation notice.

• How to cancel: All cancellations must be submitted in writing via the registration platform; the cancellation date is the date we receive your notice.

• Special circumstance resales: If we resell your place, we may offer a partial refund earlier at our discretion.

• Travel protection recommendation: We strongly encourage all participants to purchase travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, and travel delays. For best protection, buy a policy when you pay your deposit or within the insurer’s specified purchase window.