Kid's Trip to the Arctic Date: August 4-10, 2009 Location: Churchill Northern Studies Center, Manitoba, Canada Cost:$800/child; $1000/adult Register through Great Bear Foundation: Click here to request registration information.
This course explores the Hudson Bay basin and focuses on the interest and activities of people aged 6-16, although adults are also invited to join the adventure. It is a great time to be in Churchill with light from 3am to 11pm!
Geared specifically to a younger audience. Come explore the unique summertime ecology of the Canadian Arctic in Churchill, Manitoba. Activities include tidal pool exploration, wildlife viewing, polar bear ecology, and learning about the local culture. This is an adventure your kids will never forget!
Explorers on this field course will learn about the ecology, history, climate, tundra, boreal forest, natural history, and people and culture of the area. This will be an experiential learning course; we will see, feel, taste plants, follow tracks, talk, listen, and play games. We will also focus on the important relationship between the people of Churchill and the land they live in, which includes seeing the Eskimo Museum and the Town Centre art museum.
Arctic Ecology Field Course (Polar Bears, Igloos, and Ice Walks) Date: November 7-17, 2009 Location: Churchill Northern Studies Center, Manitoba, Canada Cost: $1,800/leaving from Montana; $1950/leaving from Winnipeg Register through Great Bear Foundation: Click here to request registration information.
Join us for our annual trek to Churchill, Manitoba for an experience filled with polar bear viewing, tundra walks, cultural explorations, animal tracking, and igloo building. This is an ideal time of the year to observe polar bears and learn about their amazing ecology as well as the ecology of the Canadian Arctic. Participants will also gain an understanding of the regional culture and the conservation challenges facing polar bears today.
Each year, in mid to late October, polar bears move to the Cape Churchill area on the west coast of Hudson Bay. Some of the bears walk northward along the Manitoba Coast, some head northeast from the Owl River Defining Area, and some even move south and cross the Churchill River to get to the Cape. The bears somehow "know" that fresh water ice floes will be coming down the large rivers and packed against Cape Churchill by the "wagnertok," or northwest winds. This process forms harder ice which becomes the first ice shelf from which the bears can hunt ringed seals; the bears come and they wait, walking up and down the coast, watching the sea, and sniffing the winds, sleeping in kelp beds, or play-fighting until they can go out onto the ice.
Usually around November 4th or 5th, the shelf forms, and the bears move onto the ice and begin to hunt. Some years the shelf freezes earlier and some years it freezes later. Occasionally, it does not freeze until the first week in December. The longer the ice is delayed, the larger the bear concentration around Churchill - we try to time our visit to Churchill to coincide with this freeze-up.
Great Bear Foundation field courses taught by Chuck Jonkel through The Nature Conservancy, The Glacier Institute and the Waterton Natural History Association.
Montana's Grizzly Bears Date: May 9-15, 2009 Location: Pine Butte Ranch, Choteau, Montana Cost: $1700 (which includes airport shuttle service to/from Great Falls, food, and lodging at Pine Butte Guest Ranch.) Contact info: (406) 466-2158 Offered through:The Nature Conservancy Registration information
Learn about grizzly bears inhabiting the magnificent prairie landscape on the east side of the Rocky Mountains in Montana.
Nestled among the peaks of Montana's rugged East Front, The Nature Conservancy's Pine Butte Guest Ranch offers a unique opportunity to study natural history as well as ride, hike, swim, and relax in one of the country's most spectacular western landscapes.
The Pine Butte Guest Ranch exists on the strong foundations of the Circle 8 Ranch, owned and operated by Kenneth and Alice Gleason from 1930 to 1978. The Nature Conservancy takes great pride in carrying on the Gleason's Circle 8 tradition of hospitality, comfort and friendliness as well as respect for the magnificent country that surrounds the ranch.
Today, the Pine Butte Guest Ranch is owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy, an international nonprofit conservation organization committed to the global preservation of natural diversity. All proceeds from the guest ranch are used to support the work of The Nature Conservancy of Montana.
Glacier's Grizzlies Dates: July 24-25 or August 14-15, 2009 Location: Glacier National Park Cost: $230 (includes lodging at Field Camp) Contact info: 406-755-1211 Offered through: The Glacier Institute Registration info
The Crown of the Continent ecosystem supports about half of the 800 to 1000 grizzlies estimated to be left in the lower forty eight states. The rugged backcountry of Glacier National Park forms one of the only large tracts of secure grizzly habitat left. With a world renowned bear researcher, experience the life of both grizzlies and black bears as we sample their native foods, and learn about their behavior from the signs they leave behind. We'll learn about grizzly mythology and cultural ties, bears of the world, and management and research. We will head straight into the heart of grizzly country to view grizzly habitat in locations such as the North Fork Valley and the St. Mary Valley, taking hikes up to three miles and thousand feet elevation gain. Of course, there's always the chance that we'll get to see grizzlies romping and feeding as they make their way to higher elevations. This course will be an experience for you to remember.
Glacier's Grizzlies: An In-Depth Look Date: August 29-31, 2009 Location: Glacier National Park Cost: $345 includes lodging at Field Camp Contact info: 406-755-1211 Offered through: The Glacier Institute Registration info
The Crown of the Continent ecosystem supports about half of the 800 to 1000 grizzlies estimated to be left in the lower forty eight states. The rugged backcountry of Glacier National Park forms one of the only large tracts of secure grizzly habitat. With a world renowned bear researcher, experience the life of both grizzlies and black bears as we sample their native foods, and learn about their behavior from the signs they leave behind. This intensive three day course will allow time for outings during the twilight hours to search for bears during their most active times. We'll also have more time to devote to the biology of grizzlies, the complex relationship between humans and bears and the controversies that often arise when our habitats overlap. We will begin at Field Camp with a discussion and stories about bear biology and bears of the world and then head out into the heart of grizzly country to study one of the world's most magnificent animals and explore their habitat. After a potluck dinner on Saturday, we'll learn about grizzly mythology and cultural ties, management and research and may have time to watch a bear video. We will view an extensive array of bear habitat from fire regenerated forest to prairies and open slopes in locations such as the North Fork Valley, Two Medicine Valley, and the Many Glacier Valley. Of course, there's always the chance that we'll get to see grizzlies foraging for berries and roots.
Glacier's Grizzlies and Black Bears Dates: July 23 (at Avalanche Campground), August 15 (at Field Camp), 2009 Location: Glacier National Park Cost: $65 Contact info: 406-755-1211 Offered through: The Glacier Institute Registration info
Ever wondered what it is like to see the world through the eyes of a grizzly bear? Experience the lives of grizzlies and black bears as we visit their homelands and learn about their foods. We'll meet at the trailhead and take an easy three mile round trip hike in search of bear tracks, scats, scratch marks on trees and other clues they leave behind. We will begin our hike after orienting ourselves to the area. What type of forest surrounds us? What mountains do we see in the distance? How do bears fit in here? We'll also learn how to stay safe in bear country. Chuck will entertain us with stories from over forty years of watching and studying bears, and teach us about their cubs and dens. We will be in the heart of grizzly country studying one of the world's most magnificent animals. The Avalanche Lake area is an old growth cedar forest with ancient bear trails carved into the duff. The Camas Meadow is a tranquil area rich with wildlife.
Three North American Bears in Waterton National Park Dates: TBA by late spring Location: Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada Cost: Call for prices Contact info: (403) 859-2624 Offered through: Waterton Natural History Association
Waterton is home to both black and grizzly bears, each with its own habits and habitats. This course includes a short hike on Saturday and a moderately difficult hike on Sunday. Participants will follow trails that lead from berry patches to alpine meadows; discuss bear behaviour and bears' place in the ecosystem; and the interaction of bears and humans.
Geared specifically to a younger audience. Come explore the unique summertime ecology of the Canadian Arctic in Churchill, Manitoba. Activities include tidal pool exploration, wildlife viewing, polar bear ecology, and learning about the local culture. This is an adventure your kids will never forget!
Each year, in mid to late October, polar bears move to the Cape Churchill area on the west coast of Hudson Bay. Some of the bears walk northward along the Manitoba Coast, some head northeast from the Owl River Defining Area, and some even move south and cross the Churchill River to get to the Cape. The bears somehow "know" that fresh water ice floes will be coming down the large rivers and packed against Cape Churchill by the "wagnertok," or northwest winds. This process forms harder ice which becomes the first ice shelf from which the bears can hunt ringed seals; the bears come and they wait, walking up and down the coast, watching the sea, and sniffing the winds, sleeping in kelp beds, or play-fighting until they can go out onto the ice.
Nestled among the peaks of Montana's rugged East Front, The Nature Conservancy's Pine Butte Guest Ranch offers a unique opportunity to study natural history as well as ride, hike, swim, and relax in one of the country's most spectacular western landscapes.