Ideas worth spreading

The unexpected story of one of the biggest coastal cleanups ever

Kevin Smith |

TED@DestinationCanada

• February 2023

When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to shut down Kevin Smith's ecotourism company in the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, he teamed up with five of his direct competitors – including sharing personal financial details – to pitch an idea for funding from the British Columbia government. Hear how they used their knowledge of the landscape to work together on a massive environmental cleanup.

When the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to shut down Kevin Smith's ecotourism company in the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, he teamed up with five of his direct competitors – including sharing personal financial details – to pitch an idea for funding from the British Columbia government. Hear how they used their knowledge of the landscape to work together on a massive environmental cleanup.

About the speaker

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith

Coastal explorer

A geographer by training, Kevin Smith has explored the British Columbia coast by boat since before he could ride a bike. While a backcountry and marine park ranger, often alone on his patrol boat, he witnessed the incredible power and beauty of nature and wanted to share it with others. As president of Maple Leaf Adventures, he shows that to truly explore the landscapes, wildlife and culture of the coast, you need to go by water, where roads can’t reach — and in small groups that won’t damage the ecosystem.

Learn more

About TED Institute

Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas. The culmination is an event produced, recorded, and hosted by TED, generating a growing library of valuable TED Talks that can spur innovation and transform organizations.

Read more about the TED Institute