This week’s video is a short look into the dynamic between a polar bear mother and her cubs emerging from a winter den. A mother polar bear has about three years to teach her cubs all the skills to survive the harsh Arctic conditions. Churchill is the most accessible place on the planet to observe the polar bear family interactions in the wild.
Concept design of northern Arctic housing. Fournier, Gesrovitz, Moss, Drolet and Assoc. Architects image.
Traditional high Arctic home building designs have been similar in structure and layout to those found in the south. However, as with the tiny house movement in the lower lattitudes, architects in Quebec are rethinking the design process for buildings that will be constructed above the 60th parallel. These new highly efficient structures will be more aptly suited for the climate and lifestyle of Inuit residents of the region. The Societe D’habitation du Quebec the chief housing authority for the province is working on new designs for the Arctic.
Since 2012 the agency has been working on the design in collaboration with a Montreal architectural firm as well as regional housing bureau agencies which have provided key input related to design needs and cultural traditions of Cree and Inuit inhabitants, especially relating to interior layout.
Initially, two prototypes will be constructed this year in Quaqtaq on the Diana Bay shore along the Hudson Strait. It is unclear how the inhabitants of these first two homes will be selected or what they will be required to pay for the units.
Quuaqtak in Nunavik, Northern Quebec is site of prototype design of housing unit. Google maps image..
The structural design will be highly energy efficient with walls, roof and floor insulated above standard levels as well as a heat exchange heating system generated from the water heater. Steel piles will anchor the homes in the Precambrian shield and adjust for melting of permafrost in many areas.
Pilings being driven into housing location in Nunuvik, Quebec. Societe d’habitation du Quebec photo.
Storage for the unit will be maximized with innovative spacial concepts for the attic, laundry room and kitchen that provides a movable large island for additional space. Securely locked storage cabinets will be built in for hunting firearm and ammunition. Both a cold and warm porch will be features that specifically cater to the traditional Inuit lifestyle. In all this new design will be highly efficient and desired by Inuit families.
Sled – dogs in Churchill only have seven more months until the start of the annual Hudson Bay Quest! This year’s race will start in Churchill and end in Gillam as the course direction alternates each year. This year should be another thrilling race as last year’s champion Martin Massicotte will try to defend his title! Churchill is an amazing place to visit in March not only for the Hudson Bay Quest but to see the mystical northern lights as well!
Hudson Bay Quest dog eager to run. Laurie Dingwall photo.
John Lehmann from the Globe and Mail recently took a trip to Churchill to photograph the polar bears. At a remote lodge along the Seal River he was guided to some areas where polar bears tend to frequent in the summer. Patiently waiting for the bears to arrive he was able to get some incredible photographs of the bears as they bide time and wait for the ice season to arrive in November. While posting many polar bear images on the blog it still fascinates me when new perspectives of the animals are captured. These are some fresh shots of these stoic animals!
Mother and cub in the tidal plains. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear feeding on a beluga whale carcass in the Hudson Bay. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear sow and cub swimming in the Hudson Bay. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear “elder” in the Churchill wild. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear on the tundra of Churchill. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear meandering along the rocks lining the Hudson Bay. John Lehmann photo.
Polar bear in the wilds of Churchill. John Lehmann photo.
Natural Habitat Adventures guide Melissa Scott took this photo of two polar bears in Churchill’s Wildlife Management Area. In the heart of the season in November. Enjoy!
Polar bears in Churchill. Melissa Scott Photo.
Fortunately the “last ice” region we are discussing is being used in a manner of symbolism. The area of interest is above Canada’s High Arctic Islands and northwest Greenland. National Geographic Society and World Wildlife Fund-Canada are on a mission to protect the Arctic.
Since the late 1970s when satellite monitoring was instituted, Arctic summer sea ice extent has been shrinking at a rate of about 12 per cent per decade, according to both organizations in an August news release.
Polar bear on sea ice in the high Arctic. Natural Habitat Photo.
The two organizations have teamed up to increase attention and awareness of — the “Last Ice Area” — the region climate scientists project summer sea ice to last the longest.
Recognizing the ‘Last Ice Area’ and the need to protect it for ice-dependent species and northern communities has been a top priority of our Arctic work for several years,” said WWF-Canada President and CEO David Miller. “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help steer the public eye northward to this important region.”
The National Geographic Pristine Seas project will include partner WWF-Canada to bring attention to the threats facing the summer sea ice and document “how the Inuit culture is connected to the area and its extraordinary wildlife.”
The “last ice area” near Greenland. Jane George photo.
“Highlighting the ‘Last Ice Area’ and the need to protect it for ice-dependent species and northern communities has been a top priority of our Arctic work for several years,” said WWF-Canada President and CEO David Miller. “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help steer the public eye northward to this important region.”
The Pristine Seas project by National Geographic will partner with WWF-Canada to spread awareness of the threats of shrinking summer sea ice areas. The connection between the inuit culture of the north and the extraordinary wildlife will be the primary focus.
“We came close to Arctic wildlife and filmed them like never before while also documenting the last traditional hunting by the Inuit,” said National Geographic’s Enric Sala about a recent trip to northern Baffin Island.
