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Manitoba

Lords of the North: Ecology of Hudson Bay's Polar Bears

Program No. 6290RJ
Learn about the ecosystems of Hudson Bay from a polar bear expert, enjoying lectures and seeing unique Arctic species in their natural habitat.

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climate
Plan ahead.
What kind of weather can you expect? Take a look!
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Oct 14 - Oct 22, 2023
Starting at
5,749
Oct 26 - Nov 3, 2023
Starting at
5,749
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Oct 14 - Oct 22, 2023
Starting at
6,019
Oct 26 - Nov 3, 2023
Starting at
6,019

At a Glance

As autumn fades, the polar bears of Hudson Bay gather to await the sea ice that signals winter’s return. Alongside a leading authority on this precious population, journey onto the tundra aboard specially fitted vehicles to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Lectures, field trips and museum visits will help you understand not only the life of the polar bear, but also the challenges of global climate change, local conservation issues and the future of the arctic ecosystem.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles on frozen terrain.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Take part in a dog sled adventure and observe Arctic fox, snowy owl, and other Arctic species.
  • Examine research and conservation efforts conducted by the new International Polar Bear Conservation Centre.
  • Go behind the scenes at the Manitoba Museum to view pieces from the Inuit collection and discover the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

General Notes

Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available. This program stays in unique accommodations. Be sure to review the Lodging description for the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. If you enroll in a Single room, it is only available for the two hotels in Winnipeg but not in Churchill.
Featured Expert
All Experts
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Martyn Obbard
Dr. Martyn Obbard is a research scientist for the Canadian government and a professor of environmental and life sciences at Trent University. He has spent much of his career studying the effect of sea ice distribution and duration and its effect on polar bears. His current project includes researching polar bear populations including the Southern Hudson Bay, one of the most southerly polar bear populations in the world. Dr. Obbard remains active with the International Union for Conservation of Nature polar bear specialist group.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Martyn Obbard
Martyn Obbard View biography
Dr. Martyn Obbard is a research scientist for the Canadian government and a professor of environmental and life sciences at Trent University. He has spent much of his career studying the effect of sea ice distribution and duration and its effect on polar bears. His current project includes researching polar bear populations including the Southern Hudson Bay, one of the most southerly polar bear populations in the world. Dr. Obbard remains active with the International Union for Conservation of Nature polar bear specialist group.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Reaching North: A Celebration of the Subarctic
by Jamie Bastedo
Reaching North: A Celebration of the Subarctic, by Jamie Bastedo, published by Red Deer College Press ISBN: 0-88995-170-5. Great stories by Yellowknife naturalist Jamie Bastedo that impart good environmental understanding of the North.
Polar Bears
by Nikita Ovsyaniko
Polar Bears by Nikita Ovsyaniko, published by Raincoast. It is a very good coffee table book about the polar bears of Wrangel Island, in the eastern Russian Arctic.
Turmoil and Triumph
by Ian Bickle
Turmoil and Triumph. Ian Bickle. Published by Temeron Press. The story of the Hudson Bay Railroad. ISBN: 1-55059-107X. This is a great read, especially if you are headed back on the train. It gives an explanation for all of the intriguing sign-posts you see along the way.
Ancient People of the Arctic
by Robert McGhee
Ancient People of the Arctic by Robert McGhee ISBN: 0-7748-0854-3, published by UBC. “Makes the story of continent-wide migrations, adaptations to harsh environments, and dramatic climate change comes alive…appeal (s) to anyone with an interest in the North and its history.” John Wilson, Quill and Quire.
White Bear of the North: WAPUSK
by Rebecca L. Grambo
White Bear of the North: WAPUSK. Photographs by Dennis Fast, text by Rebecca L. Grambo, published by Heartland Press. A lovely coffee table book with lots of beautiful photographs and text to compliment captures the life cycle of Canada’s best known polar bear population. Heartlands Associates Inc. ISBN: 1-896150-32-2
Encounters on Hudson Bay, Churchill Region
by Lorraine E. Brandson and Bonnie Chartier
Encounters on Hudson Bay, Churchill Region compiled by Lorraine E. Brandson and Bonnie Chartier, published by the Diocese of Churchill Hudson Bay. General Information on the climate, flora and fauna with interesting anecdotes about the flora and fauna from Aboriginal legends, and early explorers to present day researchers. Available for purchase in most stores in Churchill, but may be hard to find elsewhere.
Polar Bears
by Ian Stirling
Polar Bears - by Ian Stirling, with photographs by Dan Guravich, published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside, is one of the definitive books on Polar bears by a well known bear biologist. ISBN 1-55041-466-6 (200+ pages).
The World of the Polar Bear
by Norbert Rosing
The World of the Polar Bear by Norbert Rosing. “An informative and entertaining text complements Rosing’s beautiful photographic work, transporting the reader…” Firefly Books ISBN: 1-55209-068-X.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.