Daily Dose of Nature | Alaska & the North

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The Mysterious Spirit Bears of the BC Coast

Originally presented August 7, 2020
A ghost lives in the coastal rainforest of central and northern British Columbia. A rare and elusive white bear called the “spirit” or “Kermode” bear stalks this shadowy realm, expressing a recessive gene that appears in 10 – 20% of the black bear population in this small area. Bear fanatic and Expedition Leader Eddy Savage will introduce us to these bears with an overview of their biology, cultural importance, the potential advantages to this color mutation and the conservation efforts that are necessary for their survival.

The Fight Against Pebble Mine Continues

Originally presented July 29, 2020
Fights to preserve wild places are usually marathons, not sprints, and we’ve just entered a new phase in the fight against the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Watch this short film to hear the latest updates from Nat Hab Expedition Leader and President of Friends of McNeill River, Drew Hamilton, along with his insights into how the Pebble Mine could have serious consequences for the future of bears and salmon in Alaska.

In the Mood for Seafood: How Katmai’s Brown Bears Rely on the Ocean

Originally presented July 8, 2020
Alaska’s coastal brown bears play a critical role in the ecosystem they inhabit, transferring nutrients from sea to land and feeding the dense forests and grasses far inland from the shoreline. In this webinar, bear naturalist Brad Josephs explains the importance of the marine environment to the survival of the bears and how this diverse food source has enabled them to become some of the largest brown bears in the world.

The Wolves of Alaska’s Katmai National Park

Originally presented July 1, 2020
Although Katmai National Park is best known for being THE place to see brown bears in the wild, the park is home to another intriguing resident that has become more visible in recent years – the gray wolf. Brad Josephs takes us into one of the few remaining places on Earth where these two apex predators – the brown bear and the gray wolf – coexist. How have wolves learned from bears to thrive in this ecosystem that is subject to seasonal fluctuations in food availability with the salmon migration? Why is the wolf population currently increasing? Which of these two prominent species is dominant? This webinar will cover the fascinating dynamic between these two species, and much more of interest in the Katmai wilds.

Big Lands, Big Animals: Comparing Yellowstone & Alaska

Originally presented June 18, 2020
Yellowstone and Alaska are two of the most dramatic wilderness realms in North America. Both feature vast landscapes with mostly intact ecosystems, great populations of large mammals, and fascinating human characters woven into their histories. As an Alaskan, Expedition Leader Annie Van Dinther expected to be disappointed by Yellowstone when she visited—yet its wide-open spaces and abundant wildlife made her feel like she was stepping back in time into a primeval wilderness. During this webinar, Annie is joined by Yellowstone Expedition Leader Drew Hamilton to discuss the importance of large protected landscapes for wildlife.

What's Ahead for Polar Bears?

Originally presented June 11, 2020
The world of the polar bear is changing, and fast. Crumbling glaciers, thawing permafrost and vanishing sea ice are clear signs of the intense warming of Arctic ecosystems that has consequences for not just for microorganisms, plants, animals and peoples that live in the Far North, but also for the climate at the middle latitudes. Join Annie Van Dinther and Rinie Van Meurs as they discuss Rinie’s book, The Future Polar Bear, examining the life of this top predator and whether it will be able to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Arctic Photo Challenges: Polar Bears, Northern Lights and Tundra

Originally presented June 9, 2020
Few destinations offer as many thrills for the nature traveler—and as many creative challenges for photographers—as Churchill, Manitoba. White-on-white images? Check. Night photography? Check. Capturing wildlife against vast, featureless terrain? Check. Adjusting your settings while your fingers freeze to your camera? Check. Court Whelan has guided many photography adventures in the Canadian North, and he’ll share the tips and tricks he’s learned to capture memorable images in the most challenging conditions.

Living Safely with Bears

Originally presented May 27, 2020
Guiding bear-viewing expeditions for Nat Hab means being on the ground, surrounded by bears, unarmed, and sometimes within very close of these giant carnivores. Brad Josephs was one of the first guides to pioneer bear viewing on Alaska’s Katmai coast, and he has since led dozens of groups to the region for more than 20 years. Learn how Brad safely brings guests into intimate contact with bears.

The Bering Strait: From Land Bridge to Ecological Hotspot

Originally presented May 22, 2020
We often think of the Bering Strait as a west to east passageway via which early humans crossed from Asia to North America. Join Elisabeth Kruger, WWF’s Arctic and Bering Sea Program Officer, as she invites us to learn about her work on human-polar bear interactions in Arctic communities and the spring migration of marine mammals through the Bering Strait. Come ready to be challenged, as she just might test whether you can identify the sources of underwater calls captured with a hydrophone from the edge of the sea ice!

A Year in the Life of a Hudson Bay Polar Bear

Originally presented May 20, 2020
What does it take for a polar bear to survive in the extreme environment along northern Canada’s Hudson Bay? Expedition Leader Brad Josephs, who has guided hundreds of guests on polar bear encounters, will take us through a year in the life of a Hudson Bay bear. From hunting on the sea ice through the dark, frigid winters, to surviving for months without food in the (relative) heat of the summer, survival is no easy task for the King of the Arctic.

Three Perspectives on Alaska

Originally presented May 14, 2020
Wilderness comes in many forms in Alaska, from rugged coastlines with crashing surf, to the highest snow-covered peaks in North America, to expansive views across reddened, tundra-filled valleys that you could fit an entire state into. In this webinar, Expedition Leaders Annie Van Dinther, Mike Hillman and Rachel Lorde-Sullivan will take an ecosystem approach to showing the wonders and diversity of America’s largest state, drawing from their many years of guiding people through life-changing experiences with Alaska’s bears, birds and backcountry.

Bears, Bears and More Bears

Originally presented May 13, 2020
You’ve asked for it, and we are bringing it to you! We’ve received so many requests for more bear webinars that we have invited back one of our experts, Expedition Leader Brad Josephs, to take us on a deep dive into the biology and behaviors of bears around the world. Brad will share his vast knowledge about these fascinating animals that strike such a deep chord for many of us.

Bears, Belugas & Bright Nights: Churchill Through the Seasons

Originally presented May 7, 2020
For a tiny little frontier town inaccessible by road on the edge of Canada’s Hudson Bay, Churchill sure has a lot to offer nature lovers through the year. Join Expedition Leaders Annie Van Dinther, Moira Le Patourel, Eleanor Edye and Hollie Galloway for a virtual journey over the tundra, into the taiga, and to the mouth of the Churchill River as we discover Churchill in the fall, winter and summer.

The Digital World Premiere: Pebble Redux

Originally presented April 21, 2020
Join us for the digital world premiere of Pebble Redux, hosted by Natural Habitat Adventures. This new short film is a riveting window into one of the most critical conservation battles on the planet: how the proposed Pebble Mine would destroy the best brown bear habitat in the world, and how Alaskans are fighting to stop it.

40 Tons of Delight: The Great Gray Whale, Part 3

Originally presented April 16, 2020
In the third and final installment of this series on gray whales, Annie and Sofia follow the whales’ spring journey north to Alaska, where they spend the summer feeding in the Bering Sea. Learn about the whales’ feeding ecology and hear the results of current research that offers insight into the behavior and well-being of different gray whale populations.

Who’s the Best Bear in the World?

Originally presented April 15, 2020
These Expedition Leaders are passionate about bears—and each will make the case for why the bear species they represent should win our Best Bear in the World contest! The four contenders are the polar bear, brown bear, panda bear and sun bear. By the way, these are four of eight bear species worldwide.

Families, Friends & Lovers: The Social Relationships of Cetaceans

Originally presented March 27, 2020
Whether it’s humpbacks bubble-net feeding in Alaska or bottlenose dolphins by the dozens cavorting in Baja, these marine mammals are some of the most social—creatures on Earth. Join Lindsey Nielsen and Rachel Sullivan-Lord for a fascinating dive into their relational world.

Why Do We Love Bears So Much?

Originally presented March 26, 2020
Nat Hab Founder & President Ben Bressler welcomes you to our new webinar series, which kicks off with a journey into the captivating world of bears with Expedition Leader Brad Josephs.