Hudson bay coast northern field school
An immersive field program that takes you to the northern town of Churchill, Manitoba and to Wapusk National Park
Churchill
Churchill, Manitoba is a port town located approximately 110 km south of the Manitoba/Nunavut border along the Hudson Bay coast. Widely known as the "polar bear capitol of the world", this town has much more to offer beyond the amazing polar bears that pass through on their way to the sea. Beluga whales and many types of birds, as well as the stunning aurora borealis, attract visitors from around the world. Equally fascinating is the town's history, from the culture of the indigenous people, to European settlement, and more recently, rocket research! Churchill sits on an ecotone, bordering the three ecoregions of boreal forest, arctic tundra, and the hudson bay. The subarctic climate means long, cold winters and short, mild summers. The town has several exhibits and attractions, including a museum of Inuit artifacts, Parks Canada visitor centre, a modern multiplex centre with several recreational facilities, and several restaurants.
During our time in Churchill, we will stay at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. The centre is an independent, non-profit research and education facility located 23 km east of the town of Churchill. The CNSC is an active research centre with classrooms, computers, and lab facilities available. The CNSC will be providing prepared meals and supplies for making field lunches, but group members are responsible for doing dishes and packing field lunches. Meals are excellent, including good vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options, and snacks are available throughout the evening. Accommodations are dormitory style, with 3-9 people sharing rooms and sleeping on bunk beds. Towels and all bedding, including sheets, pillows, and blankets are provided by the CNSC. The center has wireless internet to keep you connected, and an amazing dome for the observation of aurora borealis, which students are welcome to use.
Wapusk National Park
Wapusk National Park was established in 1996 and is one of the most remote national parks in Canada. Located about 45 km south of the town of Churchill, this 11, 475 km park has limited accessability. The name "Wapusk" is taken from the Cree word for polar bear, and it is no wonder - Cape Churchill in the park is widely accepted as the best place to view polar bears in the world! Other animals that call the park home are arctic foxes, arctic hares, wolves, caribou, wolverines, and over 200 different bird species, just to name a few! Walking around in the area you may see evidence of the Inuit, Dene, and Cree people that called this place home for thousands of years. It is truly a remarkable park and we are incredibly lucky to be able to set foot in it. Most visitors to the park only experience it via a helicopter flyover, or sitting in a tundra buggy. To walk on this land is an absolute privelege.
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During our time in Wapusk National Park, we will stay at the Nester One wildlife research camp. Nester One was established in 1969 to study Canada geese. The camp is a little more rustic than our Churchill accomodations! The station consists of six buildings; a main bunk house (20’ x 40’) with bedrooms, a meeting/work area, an electrical room, a kitchen (16’ x 20’), a bathroom with two individual stalls containing a shower and toilet, a tool/work shed, an outhouse, and two storage buildings. The compound is approximately 170’ x 70’ and is surrounded by a heavy wire barrier fence that is nine feet (2.7m) high and secured by 8” diameter wooden poles dug firmly into the ground. Power for the camp is from solar panels and a back up diesel generator. Water is pumped into camp from the nearby lake and is filtered and treated prior to use. Sewage and waste-water are biologically treated before being released back into the environment. Heat is supplied by two propane furnaces. Refrigeration and the cooking stove are also propane powered and there is a large electric chest freezer. The camp can comfortably accommodate up to 20 people with the use of tents inside the compound.
Nester One is a very basic research facility which is operated and maintained only by the researchers working at the camp. We will be responsible for bringing in our own food and preparing our own meals and these can be tailored to the specific needs of the group. We are responsible for all necessary clean up and camp maintenance and repairs. We travel to the camp via a 15 minute helicopter ride, which means that your belongings for this leg of the trip will be restricted to one bag no more than 15 kg. Students will be given the option of sleeping in tents (provided) inside the fenced compound or inside the building on foam mattresses that we provide. A light sleeping bag will also be provided. The entire camp is non-smoking and alcohol consumption is strictly forbidden during the entire time at Nester One.
Above: colours of blue, red, orange, yellow, purple lit with clouds in sight
Below: arctic avens, bearberries, tufted bulrush, seeds in flight
There: polar bear, caribou, snow geese and more
Here: a nest, warm blankets, good company galore
- Darian W, 2014 participant