Churchill, Manitoba — Two titans of Arctic conservation and wildlife tourism are marking a monumental milestone this year: the 25th anniversary of an alliance that has redefined how the world interacts with the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.”
Since 2001, Canadian tour operator Frontiers North Adventures has served as a Platinum sponsor and critical logistics partner to Polar Bears International (PBI), the world’s only non-profit organization solely dedicated to the protection of polar bears and their sea ice habitat. This partnership, which blends the high-stakes world of scientific research with responsible, immersive travel, has spent two and a half decades transforming Churchill’s subarctic tundra into a global hub for conservation education.
To celebrate this silver anniversary, the two partners will host a virtual “Conservation Happy Hour” on September 15, 2026. The event will feature a panel of industry leaders—including Frontiers North CEO John Gunter, PBI Executive Director Krista Wright, and researcher Greg Thiemann—who will reflect on a partnership that has grown from a shared passion for the wild into a sophisticated, multi-platform research engine.
The alliance is anchored by the iconic Tundra Buggy®—a specialized vehicle that allows for safe passage through polar bear habitat without disrupting the animals. Among the fleet is the unique “EV Tundra Buggy One,” a mobile research station and broadcast studio. This vessel is the backbone of PBI’s global outreach, powering the famous live polar bear cams on Explore.org and hosting the Tundra Connections® webcasts, which allow field researchers to speak directly to hundreds of thousands of students and viewers worldwide. In 2023 alone, these digital initiatives engaged over 430,000 people.
“What I really like about Polar Bears International’s origin story is that it underscores the power of a person visiting a wild place, falling in love with it, and then converting that inspiration into action,” said John Gunter, CEO of Frontiers North Adventures. “Frontiers North provides access to one of the largest aggregations of bears anywhere in the world, and PBI brings the scientific expertise. Those two strengths, combined, have been incredibly powerful.”
Beyond education, the partnership has tangible impacts on the ground. Frontiers North ensures that their guests are accompanied by PBI Field Ambassadors—experts from zoological institutions who translate complex data about climate change and bear biology into accessible lessons for travelers. Furthermore, through the “Conservation Journey®” program, a portion of every guest’s fare goes directly to supporting PBI’s vital population and denning studies.
As the Arctic faces unprecedented climate challenges, this alliance remains more relevant than ever. From transitioning the entire Tundra Buggy fleet to electric power to facilitating critical field studies on the Hudson Bay coast, the partnership continues to prove that tourism, when managed ethically, can be a potent catalyst for preserving the most vulnerable ecosystems on the planet.
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