We went to film an adventure story. Then a volcano changed everything...

The untold story of our documentary shoot

In the early stages we were Iooking at creating on adrenaline soaked adventure story with stunning scenery of the mythical and almost impossible to access Kuril Island chain in the Far East of Russia.

What we ended up with was something much more powerful, much more meaningful, and with a more personal and heartfelt plea for conservation than we ever could have Imagined. And Vladimir Burkanov, the undisputed guardian of the Kurils, who only by coincidence decided to hitch a ride with our expedition ship then become our guide and ultimately our inspiration to reshape and use our efforts to help protect the area.

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Dr. Vladimir Burkanov.

The world's expert on the Kuril Islands.

His 20 year fight can only continue with your help.

Vladimir has seen the decades-long changes In the region firsthand and also the sad decline of some Important top predators in the area, like Steller sea lions and sea otters. His vision is to turn large parts of the region into marine protected areas and national parks to safeguard their beauty for future generations, protect biodiversity and improve overexploited coastal and oceanic ecosystems in the Kurils Islands. He also sees the potential to keep the region's diverse flora and fauna healthy to provide a sustainable source of seafood in years ahead.

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