Know Before You Go

As one of the first companies to operate polar bear adventures in Churchill more than 35 years ago, Natural Habitat Adventures has developed a deep connection with the community and region. We’re committed to preserving the environment and wildlife of Churchill and Arctic Canada, and conservation travel helps make that possible. By leading environmentally sensitive polar bear expeditions for hundreds of guests each year, we contribute financially to the local economy while inspiring travelers to support conservation through awareness and action.

Natural Habitat Adventures also supports World Wildlife Fund’s work in the region and across its Arctic programs. From advancing scientific understanding of polar bear behavior to examining how diminishing sea ice impacts the broader ecosystem, we’re helping to protect polar bears and their habitat. Our goal is to go beyond showcasing nature and wildlife—we strive to directly contribute to the wellbeing of Churchill and the wild environs that sustain its remarkable species.

As a company with deep roots in Churchill, we are proud to partner with its vibrant and resilient community in meaningful ways. Throughout our polar bear, beluga whale and northern lights seasons, we endeavor to promote cultural authenticity, sustainability and the community's long-term well-being. We achieve this by working closely with the residents, organizations and Indigenous leaders.

As a Nat Hab traveler, you make a difference. Your decision to explore Churchill with us fuels our ability to support local initiatives, amplify Indigenous voices, promote sustainability and create respectful, immersive travel experiences for future travelers.

Meaningful Career Opportunities

We deeply value regional knowledge and work hard to create fulfilling seasonal employment opportunities for Churchill residents, strongly emphasizing Indigenous representation. During the 2024 northern lights season, four of the seven operations team members were Churchill residents, and five were Indigenous women. Our Senior Field Operations Manager, born and raised in Churchill, now leads operations in her hometown and across Canada.

Throughout our summer, fall and winter trips, we collaborate with our partner, Great White Bear (GWB), to create seasonal employment opportunities and provide on-site training. GWB is a longstanding, locally owned tour operator known for its rugged, custom-built Polar Rovers, which offer exceptional polar bear viewing experiences.

During all three seasons, we collaborate with Adventure 58, an Indigenous female-owned wildlife monitoring service, to ensure safe and respectful encounters with the great white bears. These highly trained individuals have unparalleled knowledge of polar bear behavior and the local landscape.

To meet the high demand during the polar bear season, we fly in Canadian chefs to staff our restaurant. These talented professionals prepare all Polar Rover meals—hearty, creative dishes thoughtfully tailored to diverse dietary needs.

Centering Indigenous Knowledge and Culture

As partners of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and Indigenous Tourism Manitoba, we are grateful for opportunities to collaborate with Indigenous leaders at the local, provincial and national levels. These partnerships help us amplify Indigenous voices and experiences and ensure cultural authenticity across all of our Canadian journeys.

Our guests consistently highlight the time spent with Indigenous presenters as one of the most powerful and memorable aspects of their time in Churchill. Cree, Dene and Metis presenters share their rich family histories, cultural insights and reflections on the broader history of First Nations and Indigenous peoples in Canada, creating space for meaningful dialogue and understanding.

Strengthening Community Through Purposeful Partnerships

Our community involvement spans Churchill and Winnipeg and is driven by our goal of making a lasting, positive impact.

Our annual donation budget in Churchill assists various youth and cultural programs. In remote Churchill, travel for youth programs often involves significant logistical and financial barriers. We help eliminate these barriers by donating to the Children’s Minor Hockey League as well as music and sports programs at the Duke of Marlborough School. We contribute to the Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR), which promotes traditional cultures and lifestyles through community-based activities. By contributing to these efforts, we enhance opportunities for young people to connect, compete and grow.

Our initiatives are made possible through collaboration with local nonprofits such as the Royal Canadian Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary, which lend us space for our community events. As a gesture of appreciation, we dedicate a portion of our yearly donation budget to support the Royal Canadian Veterans Fund and causes supported by the Ladies Auxiliary. Additionally, we help facilitate bi-annual veterinary clinics by transporting veterinary teams and their supplies to Churchill to help companion animals receive essential care.

During the holidays, we make monetary contributions to two cherished traditions: the Elder’s Christmas food hamper program, which helps ensure that no family goes without a holiday meal, and the Children’s Christmas party, where every child receives a gift, enjoys a festive dinner and visits with Santa.

Advancing Food Security

Churchill’s geographic isolation and harsh climate present unique challenges to food access.

One of our most valued partnerships is with the Duke of Marlborough School’s breakfast program. Educators in Churchill work hard to provide daily meals for students, often relying on grants and sponsorships. We sustain this initiative by giving hot breakfasts during our operational seasons and donating fresh fruit, milk and shelf-stable items in the off-season.

We host community-wide meals, including summer BBQs, hot breakfasts and Thanksgiving dinners, each feeding hundreds. Donations of leftover food from our tours reduce waste while nourishing the broader community.

In 2018, our Philanthropy team donated to the Churchill Northern Studies Center’s Rocket Greens program. This innovative hydroponic food production project, designed for northern climates where plants are grown in a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, has enhanced food security by supplying fresh produce year-round. The program offers hands-on learning experiences and promotes food security research across northern communities.

Commitment to Waste Management

We understand the complexity of managing waste in a remote setting like Churchill. Our team includes a staff member who oversees our recycling and waste-reduction efforts. We work closely with the Town of Churchill to ensure that all recyclable materials from our Tundra Lodge, staff housing and office are collected.

To further reduce landfill impact, we introduced TerraCycle boxes in hotel lobbies and kitchens to capture hard-to-recycle items, reducing overall waste. We have also facilitated community efforts to acquire bear-proof garbage bins, a critical investment in keeping people and wildlife safe.

When waste isn't properly secured or managed, it can attract polar bears into populated spaces, creating safety risks for people and wildlife. As a visitor, you may hear about these challenges and see firsthand how responsible waste practices help protect this unique environment. Polar Bears International (PBI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of polar bears, has advocated for improvements and mitigating bear conflict.

In 2024, PBI allocated over $100,000 to install electric fencing and power supplies at the Churchill landfill, add 10 polar bear-safe garbage bins, and provide emergency deterrents to the Polar Bear Alert program. Nat Hab is actively engaged in these efforts. In December 2024, our Philanthropy team made a significant monetary donation to PBI’s waste management initiatives and other safety/protection efforts.

These efforts are some of the ways we are able to foster positive, lasting change in the communities we are privileged to be part of. We are deeply thankful for your dedication to regenerative tourism, and we remain steadfast in reinvesting in the people and places that make each journey unforgettable.