From Prairies to Tundra and a Polar Bear to boot!

Dear Mom and Dad,

We arrived in Churchill today. While the train journey was long, it has yet again given me perspective on how large and varied Canada really is. In school we teach that Canada is made up of many different eco zones, but saying it in the classroom and seeing it before your eyes are two different things. We started out from Winnipeg in Aspen and Oak parklands. We headed West through the Western uplands and then North into the Manitoba lowlands. The lowlands are what make up the Manitoban prairie.



After a day (a full day!) of prairies we entered into the Precambrian Boreal forest followed by the Hudson Bay lowlands and finally the Arctic Tundra.


It took us 42 hours to go from prairie to tundra (and I have the pictures to prove it!)

We were welcomed into Churchill by two big furry paws....Polar bear paws!



As the train rolled into town a young male appeared on the tracks. He jumped off and provided us all with a great big hello (from behind some willow bushes). I gave the group a mini tour of the town and then we headed on to the Northern Studies Research Center (our home for the next 10 days).

I have just finished giving the students an introduction into atmospheric chemistry. We’re getting ready to go out tomorrow and hopefully meet some belugas and get a taste of the local Churchill wildlife.

Off for a good night's sleep,

Doug