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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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.

What You'll Learn

  • 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

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 trip 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.

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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.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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9 days
8 nights
21 meals
8 B 6 L 7 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Winnipeg, MB
D
The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: Orientation: 7:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule labeled “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable while going out to explore on your own, engaging in available activities independently, making new friends among fellow Road Scholars, or simply relaxing. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Manitoba Museum, Assiniboine Park Conservancy
Winnipeg, MB
B,L
The Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking up to 1.5 miles on pavement and in museum, some standing; snow covered, icy terrain. Dress warmly in layers.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will travel by motorcoach to set sail on a thrilling voyage of excitement and discovery at The Manitoba Museum. The Manitoba Museum’s award-winning galleries tell the story of Manitoba through the ages, from the northern Arctic coast to the southern prairie grasslands. The universal interrelationship of people and their environment comes to life in displays of artifacts and specimens, and in the dramatic walkthrough settings that seem to make time stand still. An interactive program, led by museum interpreters, will give you an understanding of the traditional lifestyles of the Inuit people. We’ll learn about the Inuit as hunters, gatherers, and fishers and their seasonal dependency on migratory game. The Arctic/Sub-Arctic gallery will demonstrate how the limited resources of fur, skin, stone, and bone were integral to their way of life. We’ll go behind the scenes of the Hudson’s Bay Company Collection in the vaults to view rarely seen artifacts from the Inuit and Fur Trade Collections.

Lunch: At the Manitoba Museum.

Afternoon: Arriving by motorcoach, we’ll explore the Assiniboine Park Conservancy with a local expert and learn about the importance of polar bear and arctic species research. At the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, located within the Park, we will take a behind-the-scenes walk through the Centre’s laboratories to learn about the research being conducted and how it is impacting wildlife conservation efforts and environmental protection around the world.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
3
Fly to Churchill, Polar Bear Conservation
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach. Boarding/deboarding a plane; the flight to Churchill is approximately 1.5 hours. Walking up to 1 mile on pavement, snow-covered, icy terrain. Dress warmly in layers. PLEASE NOTE: Churchill Northern Studies Centre will provide a final itinerary once you arrive at the centre. The current schedule is tentative and the order of programming is subject to change because of weather and the presence of polar bears.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our journey begins with a motorcoach transfer to the airport, then our flight to Churchill, MB, scheduled to leave from Winnipeg, MB.

Lunch: Eat like a researcher! We’ll enjoy a meal at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC).

Afternoon: An expert at the Studies Centre will lead a safety briefing and orientation. Afterwards, the rest of the afternoon is free to do as you wish.

Dinner: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Evening: There will be an introductory lecture, “Polar Bears 101” from an expert at the Studies Centre. We will learn about the polar bear population in Churchill, polar marine ecology, and marine mammals.

DAY
4
Polar Bear Viewing, Tundra Buggy, Climate Change
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Activity note: The Tundra Buggy® trip is six hours in duration. The vehicle is large, so when it is not moving there is enough space to walk around and go on the back deck to take pictures. We will have our lunch on board and there are washroom facilities on board. There is a flight of wooden stairs that goes up to a landing that connects all the tundra buggies. To get on the buggy itself, there are no steps involved, as the buggies are level with the docking point.

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: We’ll travel out onto the tundra to view polar bears from specially designed Tundra Buggies®, heading into the Churchill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for wildlife viewing and photography. Venturing out on a set of established trails to minimize the impact on the tundra, the Tundra Buggy® will take you into areas with a high probability of wildlife sightings. These areas are the best locations in the Churchill area to experience wildlife in their natural environment.

Lunch: Aboard the Tundra Buggy.

Afternoon: Polar bear viewing continues during the afternoon. The Churchill WMA is the largest wildlife management area in Manitoba – almost 850,000 hectares – and is the summer resting area for the province’s yearly polar bear visitors. Polar bears aren’t the only residents of this subarctic habitat; the Churchill WMA boasts a wide variety of plant life and wildlife all year round for visitors to see.

Dinner: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Evening: This evening’s lecture from an expert at the Studies Centre will focus on polar bears and the impact of climate change.

DAY
5
Current Research, Dogsledding, Polar Bear Conservation
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Activity note: Participants are not required to be “mushers.” Dress warmly, moderate amount of walking/standing. Warming hut and outhouse on site.

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: A presentation from an expert at the Studies Centre will highlight the “How’s and Why’s of Polar Bear Research” at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. A short outdoor walk of the former Churchill Research (Rocket) Range with a staff member from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre will give us a better idea of how well our clothing holds up to the wind and cold temperatures.

Lunch: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Afternoon: We will embark on a dogsledding trip into the boreal forest with a local musher. This authentic experience reflects the culture and history of Manitoba’s north. Dogsledding was the most efficient method of travel, from fur trading to mail delivery. Dogsleds can carry two people, one riding in the “basket” of the sled, while the musher leads the dogs while standing on back runners.

Dinner: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Evening: This evening’s presentation from an expert at the Studies Centre will focus on polar bear conservation.

DAY
6
Polar Bear Viewing, Cultural Presentation
Churchill, MB
B,L,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Activity note: The Tundra Buggy® trip is six hours in duration. The vehicle is large, so when it is not moving there is enough space to walk around and go on the back deck to take pictures. We will have our lunch on board, and there are washroom facilities on board. There is a flight of wooden stairs that goes up to a landing that connects all the tundra buggies. To get on the buggy itself, there are no steps involved, as the buggies are level with the docking point.

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: We will head out for another fun-filled day of polar bear viewing on the tundra. Look for arctic foxes and other northern wildlife in their natural environment.

Lunch: On the Tundra Buggy.

Afternoon: Bear viewing and interpretation on habitats, species behavior and conservation issues continue.

Dinner: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Evening: This evening’s cultural presentation from an expert at the Studies Centre will focus on Aboriginal heritage.

DAY
7
Itsanitaq Museum, Challenges in the Future, Traditional Food
Churchill, MB
B,D
Churchill Northern Studies Centre

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles, on slippery, snowy or ice covered terrain and indoors. Dress warmly for the exploration in the morning.

Breakfast: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Morning: We will travel by bus in and around the town of Churchill for an area visit. Watch out for arctic foxes and arctic hares!

Lunch: On your own in the town of Churchill.

Afternoon: We will spend the afternoon in Churchill, Manitoba: the Polar Bear Capital of the World. We’ll self-explore the Itsanitaq museum, home to one of the oldest and most comprehensive collection of Inuit artifacts and sculptures in Canada. The Museum is dedicated to advancing knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Northern culture and history with an emphasis on the Canadian Inuit. Next we’ll visit the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre, located in the Churchill Heritage Railway Station. Exhibits, information, and audiovisual presentations focus on the history of the fur trade and exploration of human and natural history.

Dinner: At Churchill Northern Studies Centre.

Evening: This evening’s presentation will focus on challenges for the future. Then, we’ll wrap up with festivities at the centre – wine and traditional food tasting including arctic char, and homemade bannock served with locally made jams and jellies. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
8
Fly to Winnipeg, Farewell Dinner
Winnipeg, MB
B,L,D
Courtyard by Marriott Winnipeg Airport

Activity note: Getting on/off a bus. Boarding/deboarding a plane; the flight to Winnipeg is approximately 1.5 hours.

Breakfast: At the CNSC.

Morning: We will say goodbye to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre and transfer to the airport for our flight to Winnipeg.

Lunch: Boxed lunch from CNSC.

Afternoon: Our flight from Churchill is scheduled to arrive in Winnipeg at 3:15 p.m. (subject to change). Upon arrival, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore independently or relax at the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
9
Program Concludes
Winnipeg, MB
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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