Immerse yourself in the breathtaking wilderness of Churchill, where Manitoba’s vast boreal forests meet the rugged tundra. The boreal forest is the Earth's largest terrestrial carbon sink, storing 208 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to 26 years of global carbon emissions. The Nature Conservancy’s project is in one of the most intact areas.
As you journey through this extraordinary landscape, prepare to be enchanted by the Churchill River as it comes to life with what feels like countless beluga whales. Watch in awe as these “canaries of the sea” migrate to the warm, shallow waters to give birth and feed on fish. Experience these majestic creatures from various vantage points, as you will have the opportunity to see them from a large tour boat and an intimate Zodiac where you can witness their playful behavior and curious spirit.
While on land, enjoy the seemingly endless view as the surrounding tundra landscape erupts into colorful summer blooms alongside Hudson Bay. Explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area by Tundra Buggy in search of northern wildlife, where you might even see the first of the summer polar bears as they begin to return to the sea ice throughout the summer months. Home to ten of Canada’s last and largest woodland caribou herds, this region is filled with mossy peatlands and unbroken stretches of forest, which are key to supporting healthy ecosystems and native plant and animal species.
The ideas and approaches developed in Manitoba can inform forest conservation around the world, contributing to new ways of partnering with Indigenous peoples and implementing creative market and policy solutions.
Dates: August 2-8, 2025
Price: CAD $9,699 per person based on double occupancy, CAD 1,200 for a single supplement
Note: All prices are CAD and are based on double occupancy.
For Questions and To Register, Email Us at travel@tnc.org
Dog cart excursion hosted by a local resident and dog sledding expert.
Program Highlights
- VISIT RECLAIMED WILDLIFE RESERVE — Experience FortWhyte Alive, a reclaimed wildlife preserve, recreation area and environmental education centre. Step back to when bison roamed the prairie, and people’s connection to the natural world was a matter of survival.
- LEARN ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIPS — You’ll witness The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to protect one of the most pristine landscapes on the planet through meaningful partnerships with First Nations communities. For thousands of years, First Nations communities thrived within the richness and sustenance of the Boreal as the land’s original stewards. However, as demand for resources grew, their authority over their traditional territories was challenged, their economies were destabilized, and their immemorial way of living was threatened. We believe conservation must go hand-in-hand with building local economies, which is why we also support sustainable economic development that aligns with cultural values and durable financing opportunities to fund stewardship in the long term. We also support initiatives allowing collaboration and collective action among Indigenous nations and other actors.
- SPOT BELUGAS — Discover hundreds of beluga whales in the mouth of the Churchill River. Then, across the river, take a Parks Canada guided tour of Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site of Canada, the oldest, most northerly stone fort in Canada.
- EXPERIENCE DOG CARTING WITH AN EXPERT — Join a dog cart excursion hosted by a resident and dog sledding expert. Meet the team of friendly dogs, hear stories and learn dog handling philosophy from an expert. Enjoy a mile-long dog cart ride through the northern boreal forest. With 80% of the province covered by boreal forest, Manitoba provides incredible opportunities for TNC to partner with Indigenous communities to protect this landscape.
Scenic landscape in Churchill, Manitoba.