GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST

LENGTH: 8 Days/7 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES 2007: Aug 26-Sep 2; Sep 10-17; Sep 17-24; Sep 19-26; Sep 25-Oct 2; Sep 27-Oct 4. Other dates available upon request.

*Other dates for individuals, families and groups, available upon request.

*Affordable extensions through SOUTHEAST ALASKA’S FAMED INSIDE PASSAGE; ALASKA’S
INTERIOR: DENALI NATIONAL PARK; the KENAI PENINSULA; KATMAI NATIONAL PARK and world-renown McNEIL RIVER STATE GAME SANCTUARY are available before or after our GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST FIELD COURSE upon request. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

*SEA KAYAKING off of BRITISH COLUMBIA and/or in SOUTHEAST ALASKA.

*WHITE-WATER RAFTING in WASHINGTON STATE is also available upon request.

*FIELD COURSES for those with SPECIAL INTERESTS, such as BIRDING and GARDEN GROUPS are available upon request. Sample itineraries can be seen at http://www.birdingtours.org (being updated), http://www.gardentours.org (being updated) and also http://www.rainforestandreef.org. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

FIELD COURSE COST: 3105.00 Canadian Dollars per person. Based on double occupancy. Single occupancy available upon request at an extra cost.

GROUP SIZE: 17 participants

Notes: As of August 22, 2006, 1 Canadian dollar = 0.9 U.S. dollars/1 U.S. dollar = 1.12 Canadian dollars. PAYMENTS for our GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST FIELD COURSE must be made in Canadian dollars. Groups and individuals must assume bank costs for currency exchanges and any currency value fluctuations.

Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS, FREE SPACE and GROUP RATES.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS from LUNCH on the FIRST DAY to BREAKFAST on the LAST DAY; all LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND and WATER TRANSPORTATION as stated in the itinerary; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to British Columbia; AIRPORT TRANSFERS; TRANSPORTATION to the START POINT and from the FINISH POINT of our GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST FIELD COURSE; ACCOMMODATIONS or MEALS prior to the START or after the END of our GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST FIELD COURSE; INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX; GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: Rainforest and Reef uses consolidators/wholesalers for all of our GROUP and INDIVIDUAL airfares. We are therefore able to offer the LOWEST RATES available. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

ITINERARY: Departs/Returns: Bella Bella, British Columbia/Bella Bella, British Columbia. We do not produce a detailed day by day itinerary in advance of our Great Bear Rainforest Field Course. Our daily plans are flexible to accommodate fluctuations in wildlife observations encountered after each departure, variations in the tides, weather and interests of the group. More Field Course itinerary information is included below.

THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST:
The Great Bear Rainforest is a large area extending over 250 miles along the coast of British Columbia and actually for thousands of miles, if you include all the waterways and islands found here. Stretching from Vancouver Island north, it forms a significant section of the famous “Inside Passage” that continues north and through se Alaska, a term that originated as a result of the gold rush during the late 1800’s. Many gold seekers stayed on the coast, attracted by enormous trees and waters full of salmon. Native peoples have lived along this coast for at least 10,000 years and built a renowned culture based upon these same trees and fish. It has only been in recent times, with the introduction of the name “Great Bear Rainforest”, that this magnificent wilderness has found itself in the spotlight of international attention. During our Great Bear Rainforest Field Course participants will travel British Columbia’s section of the protected "Inside Passage", in hopes of seeing whales, sea otters, grizzly bears, wolves, waterfalls, petroglyphs and experiencing remote native villages. The islands and intricate waterways here are located beneath towering mountains, covered with lush, temperate Rainforest. This region is also home to the Kermode Bear (Ursa Americanus Kermodie), a beautiful white bear that lives in the Rainforests here. It is not a polar bear or an albino, but rather a subspecies of the black bear.

ECOLOGY and NATURAL HISTORY: The description “Great Bear Rainforest” was created because the region holds the largest remaining tract of primary temperate Rainforest left on the entire Pacific coast. Ecologically, the name refers to the significant populations of black, grizzly and kermode bear that are supported by abundant salmon runs for food and lack of human development. The Great Bear Rainforest is also home to a long, convoluted maze of narrow waterways, numersous fjords, where emerald forests of western hemlock and red cedar cloak lush river valleys and broad estuaries. Biologically abundant and diverse, the area is also ecologically quite fragile. A highly experienced Naturalist Guide will accompany our group and provide talks, slide shows and lead shore excursions. Don’t forget your binoculars! We will keep a detailed species list of birds and mammals during our adventure.

BEARS: The Great Bear Rainforest is home to the magnificent grizzly bear, a species that requires large areas of habitat undisturbed by human activity. These great bears once roamed across North America but due to the advance of civilization, diminished food supply and continued hunting, they are now threatened in their remaining range .Weighing in at more than a quarter of a ton, grizzly bears sit at the top of the food chain and are a critical part of this coastal ecosystem. These bears are drawn to the estuaries of coastal rivers to feast on the salmon moving up-river to spawn and depend on the salmon to survive. The Great Bear Rainforest supports one of their last sustainable populations. We will explore these remote coastal fjords found here in hopes of seeing these majestic creatures. Scientists have recently discovered that bears and salmon provide the major source of fertilizer in the coastal forest. Evidently, each bear may distribute the remains of 700 fish, providing 3500 lbs. of natural, nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Thus, a Sitka Spruce grows to be three times larger near a salmon bearing stream.

THE SPIRIT BEAR: These primeval forests are the only habitat of the Kermode, or “Spirit Bear.” An elusive and rarely seen wonder, the Kermode is a genetic throwback….a black bear with a “recessive” gene giving it snow-white fur. Princess Royal Island is one of the few areas on the coast where one can find the Kermode. Only 10% of black bears in the area are Kermode, so though we expect to see black bears, it will require good luck and perseverance to spot a Spirit Bear. We hope to experience the all white “Spirit Bear”, the grizzly and wolf in this dramatic and remote area.

WOLVES: The Great Bear Rainforest is home to a significant population of gray wolves. Scientific studies presently underway suggest they may be genetically distinct from their inland cousins. Many of the islands are home to populations of wolves. They are quite reclusive and are not seen on every trip.

BIRDS: This area has a very rich and varied bird population. Participants will be amazed at the number of bald eagles we see during the Field Course. Colorful seabirds such as oystercatchers, pigeon guillemots and rhinoceros auklets are common. We also see large numbers of smaller shore-birds, such as phalaropes.
MARINE MAMMALS: During our voyage there are excellent chances of seeing a variety of species of marine mammals. Fitzhugh Sound and Whale Channel are good areas for viewing humpback whales. The coastline near Cape Caution supports a summer population of gray whales; and this entire coast is famous for its population of orcas or killer whales.

OUTER SHORES: Weather permitting, we will visit the exposed outer coast, perhaps going shore at remote Goose Island to explore deserted beaches and comb for glass fishing floats that have drifted across the north Pacific from Japan. Here, vast kelp forests are home to sea otters. Hunted to near extinction, they remain shy and elusive and are difficult to observe at close range. With luck, we might see them swimming on their backs at the surface. During the last 30 years sea otters have been successfully reintroduced along portions of the British Columbia coast and are now protected. During this Field Course we will travel from deep mountain fjords to low outer islands and at these points of transition we will find tremendous biological productivity. The famous lighthouse stations at Egg Island and Pine Island are among the few that remain manned on the British Columbia coast.

NATIVE CULTURE: We will visit and learn from the local Gitga’at and Kitasoo indigenous groups, both members of the Tshimshian Nation. This activity is only done with their permission. The concept of ecotourism demands that participants respect their cultures and that we share a portion of our revenues with their communities. We fully support this concept. During this Field Course our group will spend a day with local Gitga’at Guides sharing their culture and history, as they lead us to their favorite bear viewing sites.

HISTORY: Bella Bella, located along the famous “Inside Passage” is the center of the Heiltsuk native culture. This small coastal village was once the site of an early Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. It is also the gateway to historic Dean Channel, where Sir Alexander Mackenzie became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean traveling overland on aboriginal “grease trails”. He preceded the better-known expedition of Lewis and Clark by 12 years! These trails were important trade routes linking coastal native people with those of the interior. Boxes of eulachon grease were carried inland to trading sites where different cultures met to exchange goods. Grease and fish were traded for items such as moose hide and obsidian. Eulachon or “candlefish” are a smelt-like fish, renowned for their oil when rendered. Archaeologists have discovered native middens dating back some 9,000 years at Namu, one of the most ancient sites of human habitation on the northwest coast.

ISSUES: This remote wilderness had been “forgotten” in the public eye and large logging firms had plans to cut the prized valley lowlands of this public forest. In 2001, significant portions of the Great Bear Rainforest were proposed for protection through the cooperative efforts of First Nations, forestry companies, conservation groups and the Canadian government. With continued public support these initiatives will be completed and protect some of the most unique wildlife and wilderness on this incredible coast. One shouldn’t misinterpret the name “Great Bear Rainforest” and thereby the focus of this trip. Our journey will be much more than an exploration aimed at seeking out bears. We will focus on the richness and complete biological diversity of this special area. Join us as we adventure into the domain of the Great Bear!

MEALS: A professional cook is in charge of all cooking during the Field Trip. We carry ample quantities of fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, grains and dairy products for the duration of the voyage. Meals are served buffet style. Please make us aware of any special meal requests and/or dietary restrictions….vegan, vegetarian, etc., that you or members of your group may have. We will be pleased to fulfill your requests/needs. This can be done on the MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM you will receive after registration.

NO-SMOKING POLICY: There is no smoking allowed on-board all of the vessels we use.

WEATHER: While participants should come prepared for some gusty winds and the possibility of rain, we usually experience clear skies and a good amount of sunshine. It always feels cooler on the water than actual temperatures may be.

PHOTOGRAPHY: A 300mm camera lens is ideal, while 180-300mm lenses generally give good results with Orcas and Bears. Consider bringing fairly fast film to capture moving wildlife and to allow for the low light at dawn and dusk. Most people use more film than they expect. If you are using a digital camera, some of this obviously does not apply.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
During all of our Field Courses we take a cautious approach as we attempt to observe of wildlife. We do not want to apply any pressure to these animals that could result in any behavioral changes or movement patterns. We do not “chase” whales or bears with our boats in the interests of getting closer for a better photograph. We feel, in fact, that in being very relaxed around wildlife that we enjoy more frequent contact, while having the opportunity to observe interesting and spectacular natural behaviors.