The Quest for Sustainability in the US Documentary Project
My Travel Story
My name is Billy W. Mitchell aka: Gecko! I'm just a regular Joe from San Marcos, Texas who loves to hike. I'm a senior at Texas State University majoring in Geography with a minor in Sociology. I only need 1 more credit to graduate!
With all of the problems facing our world today such as overpopulation, deforestation, climate change, dwindling resources like clean water, oil, and fertile soil for agriculture, and a multitude of others the world needs to know that there are people choosing to find solutions. In the United States there are groups of people who make it their life's work to find sustainable solutions to these problems. Some of these groups run as organic and permaculture farms, places that teach natural and carbon zero building techniques, and intentional communities that focus on sustainable solutions and research.
I've always loved the outdoors and Nature, but one day I stumbled upon the thru-hikes of Joe Brewer on YouTube and my views on hiking evolved! Ever since then, I haven't been able to get enough of thru-hiking! I've watched Joe (www.backcountrybanter.com), Dixie (www.homemadewanderlust.com), ChocolateBalls (sloanybones), reddmage, Early_Riser_71, Brave (happy_hikers), Night Crawler, Super Classy, Hikification, Trailosophy, IntrepiDan, Scoutmaster on the AT, Probation Termination, Joyful Rambler, and many, many others on YouTube thru-hiking the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails.
The Project
The project that I am proposing is nothing short of the adventure of a lifetime. Over the span of 3 years I will endeavor to visit, tour, and interview at as many intentional communities, permaculture and organic farms, sites of sustainable building construction research, and tiny home builders and communities as I can. These places, communities, and people will be showing and telling me of the ways that they are finding to help solve the problems we face on our journey to sustainability.
As I travel to these places I will be thru-hiking the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails as a way of showing the public what we stand to lose if we don't work together and implement these solutions on a broader scale. It will be a journey of at least 8,000 miles that will take me through places like the Great Smoky Mountains, the Shenandoah Mountains, the Hundred Mile Wilderness, The Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite National Park, the Cascade Mountains, the San Juan Mountains, The Great Basin, Yellowstone National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, the Wind River Range, and Glacier National Park.
The reason that I wanted to incorporate thru-hiking into the project isn't just to show the pristine wild places that sustainability is helping to preserve and protect but also to achieve a personal goal of completing what the thru-hiking community calls the Triple Crown of Hiking and to incorporate the thru-hiking community itself. This is a community of outdoors enthusiasts who love and appreciate nature, wilderness, and conservation. Having their interviews included in the project introduces an additional perspective on sustainability and the solutions that I will be reporting on.
When my journey is complete I will have all of the video footage, interviews, and trail notes I will need to complete the video documentary and book that this project is ultimately all about: "The Quest For Sustainability in the United States".
Request for Support
I could never raise the money needed for this project on my own. Each trail costs anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 each to hike. Expenses include: hiking and camping gear, clothes, transportation to/from each trail, lodging in hostels/hotels when in town, park and backcountry permits and fees, food resupplies, video/camera gear, and video production and publishing expenses. The amount that I chose, $50,000, is a fair and conservative estimate of how much this project will cost in total.
This is why I am asking each and every one of you to help me make this project a reality. I believe that there are stories out there that need to be told, experiences that we can all learn from, and solutions to the problems that we are facing being discovered every day. "The Quest For Sustainability in the United States" is journey that needs to be taken and I believe that my passion and adventurous spirit will see it through to completion.
Timeline
I propose the following timeline for the journey:
Appalachian Trail - Feb 2021 to Nov 2021
Pacific Crest Trail - Feb 2022 to Nov 2022
Continental Divide Trail - Feb 2023 to Nov 2023
Documentary video production - Jan 2024 to ????
Book writing and publishing - Jan 2024 to ????
Conclusion
As I am so fond of stating: "Sustainability can be our legacy." As a geographer, permaculture and biotecture student, philosopher, and a person with the 'human doing', not 'human being', mentality I believe that with your sponsorship and investment, this project can enlighten, educate, and inspire a new generation to new heights of sustainability!
I thank you in advance for your support, faith, and trust. Carpe Diem!
Billy W. Mitchell
aka:Gecko
Updates
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Grants And Contests
In addition to this fundraiser, I am also trying to raise money for this expedition through applying for documentary/adventure grants and contests.
I have applied for a National Geographic Society Early Career Grant for film makers and documentarians. Also, I have entered the Gear Junkie/Nordic Track Adventure Grant Contest for a chance at winning a Nordic Track fitness machine and $7500. I did apply for The Trek's 2020 Badger Sponsorship to receive a full set of backpacking gear, but I found out today that I did not win.
I am always on the lookout for sponsorships, grants, and adventure contests as a potential source of funding in addition to the donations received here on Fund My Travel. You guys make the magic happen. Each one of you are angels! Thank you!
More Travel Information
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Campaign Ended
$ 25 USD
Total Donation Received-
1%
Funded -
$ 30,000 USD
Goal Amount -
0
Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Airfare/ International Flights
$ 1,000
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Accommodation
$ 1,000
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Luggage and Equipment
$ 5,000
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Passport/ Visa/ Residence Permit
$ 50
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Food Re-supply
$ 5,000
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Camera and Video Equipment
$ 5,000
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National/State Park and Back Country Permits and Fees
$ 500
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Medical/ Travel/ Accident Insurance
$ 1,000
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Local Travel Expenses
$ 1,450
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Documentary Video Production Costs
$ 5,000
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Documentary Book Publishing Costs
$ 5,000
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Donor Rewards
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10 USD
I will make a post shout out on the Gecko's Trails Facebook Page
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50 USD
I will make a video shout out on the Gecko's Trails YouTube Channel
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100 USD
Receive a personalized post card of my summit picture at Mount Katahdin, Maine upon completion of the Appalachian Trail.
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500 USD
I will include a thank you in the final production of the documentary video and book.
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1,000 USD
I will send a signed copy of either the finished documentary DVD or documentary book.
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Funders
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Jeri Zaugg Funded $ 25 USD
Jan 18, 2020
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