SGang Gwaay on a Maple Leaf Adventures Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) tour

Described as the Canadian Galapagos, Haida Gwaii is located at the western edge of North America and is a place teeming with wildlife and First Nations heritage. For more than 20 years, Maple Leaf Adventures has led authentic explorations aboard a classic 28-metre (92-foot) schooner into the Gwaii Haanas National Park Marine Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, an area rarely travelled and explored.

Recognized as a Signature Canadian Experience by the Canadian Tourism Commission, the nine-day, eight-night Haida Gwaii eco-cruise departs from Masset, BC (returning to Sandspit, BC) on five separate dates in 2012: May 7 – 15, May 16 – 24, May 25 – Jun. 2, Jun. 4 – 12 and Jun. 13 – 21. Cost per passenger is $4,640.00 Cdn (includes all shore excursions, meals, accommodations and use of onboard equipment). Masset is located at the northern end of Graham Island – the largest of the more than 150 islands that comprise the Queen Charlotte Islands, now known as Haida Gwaii. Typically, guests fly into Masset, BC aboard Pacific Coastal Airlines out of Vancouver, BC.

Viewing humpback whales in Gwaii Haanas (Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands)

“It’s a real privilege to be one of the few tour operators permitted to travel into Gwaii Haanas,” said Kevin Smith, president of Maple Leaf Adventures. “We guide our guests into this maze of islands and waterways, a world class natural environment that made the Haida who they are. Now modern Haida watchmen welcome us into their Haida village sites, as our voyage takes us through this landscape forests, rugged cliffs, beaches and natural hot springs. All the while, we are surrounded by wildlife, from tufted puffins to bears and massive humpback whales.”

As a co-founder of Gwaii Haanas Tour Operators Association and co-author of its renowned Code of Conduct, Maple Leaf Adventures operates its Haida Gwaii tour by sail with the permission and respect of the Haida and Parks Canada. During the trip, guests embark on a number of guided land and sea explorations, including a visit to the UN World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay (Ninstints). Here, Haida guides share stories of the still-standing totem poles (some dating from the mid-19th century) and house remains, and the Kunghit Haida people who carved them so many years ago.

Stands of spruce, cedar and hemlock create a towering rainforest on Haida Gwaii

Other highlights of the sailing cruise include naturalist-led treks to islands that feature thousands of nesting seabirds, hikes through forests with centuries-old trees and soaks in natural hot springs. And after each day of adventure, guests return to the tall ship to enjoy gourmet meals prepared by the onboard chef, relax in the comfortable sleeping cabin or spend time in the above-deck wheelhouse where they can try their hands at steering the ship.

To book a tour or learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures, visit Maple Leaf’s Haida Gwaii tour page or email us at info@MapleLeafAdventures.com.

About Maple Leaf Adventures
Maple Leaf Adventures has provided conservation travel experiences aboard a classic tall ship since 1986. With a reputation as one of Canada’s top sustainable tour operators, its multi-day excursions give guests one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the most beautiful and rare places in the world, often in areas that were once under threat of destruction or in dire need of protection. As a long time practitioner of ecotourism, Maple Leaf Adventures pioneered travel in BC’s Great Bear Rainforest and northwestern Vancouver Island and has made significant contributions in the field of conservation. For more information, visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

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Sample tweet:
Discover Haida Gwaii w/ rare @MapleLeafAdvent sailing cruise: visit ancient villages, spot rare wildlife and soak in natural hot springs.

Note to editors: High resolution images available upon request

Media Contacts:
Maureen Gordon, Maple Leaf Adventures: 250 386-7245, 250-881-6143 (cell) or Maureen@MapleLeafAdventures.com
Deirdre Campbell, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-882-9199 (cell) or deirdre@tartangroup.ca

• Skip the rest and view Maple Leaf Adventures’ Inside Passage small ship cruises here.

…continued below video

“Our 2012 schedule is not designed for someone seeking your basic inside passage cruise. Our sailing cruises are for travellers who wish to sail deep into fjords for days and encounter wildlife and people on their own turf,” said Kevin Smith, president of Maple Leaf Adventures. “There are trips for natural and cultural history buffs, artists, families and even those with a taste for fine ale.”

Recognized by National Geographic and Frommer’s for gently exploring remote coasts while enabling exceptional wildlife viewing, Maple Leaf Adventures carefully designs each trip with the knowledge that marine adventures to far-off and sometimes uncharted destinations are on many people’s bucket lists.

Experiences offered include walking grizzly bear trails and viewing rare spirit bears with an expert guide; sailing to and landing at a remote and ancient Haida village in the rainforest; and visiting whale researchers on a small island after viewing different species of cetaceans. Laughter abounds on the trips, whether it is when guests are climbing to the tip of the schooner’s bowsprit, steering her under sail or tasting some of the coast’s finest craft beer.

The Victoria, BC-based business takes up to eight people at a time aboard a classic 28-metre (92-foot) schooner for its multi-day expeditions. Setting an example for authentic and responsible tourism, Maple Leaf Adventures has pioneered ecotourism on Canada’s West Coast and fully committed to social and environmental sustainability.

“Our trips leave no trace on the planet, yet also give back to it through donations and education,” said Smith. “Maple Leaf Adventures has also piloted economic protocol agreements with the coastal First Nations that provide income from our presence, employment for guides and recognition of the traditional territories.”

The team at Maple Leaf Adventures also hosts naturalists and environmental researchers aboard the schooner to teach guests about coastal and ocean ecosystems. Maple Leaf Adventures donates one per cent of all cruise revenues to conservation projects through the organization 1% for the Planet. Last month, the international Virgin Responsible Tourism Awards gave a commendation to Maple Leaf Adventures, which was one of three finalists in the category of tourism in a marine environment at the 2011 awards.

To book a tour or learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures, visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com , call 1-888-599-5323 or 250-386-7245.

Maple Leaf Adventures’ sailing cruise lineup for 2012

§ Great Bear Rainforest Tours by Sail – Discover British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, a pristine land of fjords, mountains, rainforests and great river estuaries and the perfect place to view grizzly bears, the mysterious white Spirit Bear and whales. Maple Leaf Adventures offers spring (Apr. 27 – May 5), summer (Jun. 24 – 29 and Jun. 30 – Jul. 5) and fall (Aug. 29 – Sep. 8, Sep. 10 – 18 and Sep. 20 – 28) cruises. In addition, Maple Leaf Adventures offers one photography trip in the Great Bear Rainforest, slotted for Sep. 30 – Oct. 5. Price: starts at $2,860.00 Cdn per passenger (all inclusive except airfare. Keep your wallet packed away – relax and enjoy!).

§ Gulf Islands, BC, Cruise – Join the team aboard SV Maple Leaf for a six-day sailing exploration of the protected islands between Vancouver Island and Vancouver, BC. Guests will visit wildlife colonies, walk through west coast forests and land at remote beaches and islands. In 2012, sail away on Apr. 5 – 10, Apr. 11 – 16 or Oct. 18 – 23. Join a special Tall Sails & Ales beer and culinary-themed tour on Oct. 25 – 30, or a Vancouver Island cruise Apr. 18 – 25. Price: starts at $2,225.00 Cdn per passenger (all inclusive except airfare. Keep your wallet packed away – relax and enjoy!).

§ Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands Tour – With rich intertidal life, concentrations of humpback whales, Haida village sites and hot springs, Haida Gwaii is a must-see destination for those who love wildlife, far-flung places and/or northwest coast First Nations culture. On many Canadians’ bucket lists, these islands are known as “the Canadian Galapagos.” Sailing dates are slotted for May 7 – 15, May 16 – 24, May 25 – Jun. 2, Jun. 4 – 12 and Jun. 13 – 21, 2012. Price: $4,640.00 Cdn per passenger (all inclusive except airfare. Keep your wallet packed away – relax and enjoy!).

§ Art at Sea on the Maple Leaf Among BC’s Whales and First Nations Culture – Combine two loves, painting and the natural world, on this tour. Join Karin Richter, talented artist and teacher, and embark on a voyage aboard the classic schooner Maple Leaf for focused lessons in painting nature and coastal scenes. This tour is offered on Aug. 22 – 27, 2012. Price: $2,825.00 Cdn per passenger (all inclusive except airfare. Keep your wallet packed away – relax and enjoy!).

§ Alaska Adventure by Sail – Each year, millions of people visit southeast Alaska for its grandeur and frontier history – only a fraction of these people will actually experience Alaska’s remote wilderness. On this adventure, get close to wild Alaska’s tidewater glaciers, humpback whales and brown bears, and enter the ancient rainforests. Sailing dates include Jul. 7 – 19 and Jul. 19 – 31. Price: $6,780.00 Cdn per passenger (all inclusive except airfare. Keep your wallet packed away – relax and enjoy!).

§ Whales and Totems of the Great Bear Rainforest – Northern Vancouver Island and the Broughton Archipelago of British Columbia are known as the “Serengeti of the sea”. Experience this diverse marine environment on a five-night, educational whale watching cruise that takes you beyond the spectacle of just seeing whales, and lets you live among their communities, and natural and human history of the entire area they inhabit. Trip dates are scheduled from Aug. 15-20, Aug.22-27 and Oct. 8 – 13. Price: from $2,700.00 Cdn per passenger (all inclusive except airfare. Keep your wallet packed away – relax and enjoy!).

About Maple Leaf Adventures

Maple Leaf Adventures has offered natural and cultural history cruises aboard a classic tall ship, in Alaska and Canada’s Inside Passage, since 1986. With a reputation as one of Canada’s top sustainable tour operators, the multi-day excursions give guests one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the most beautiful places in the world. As a longtime practitioner of ecotourism, Maple Leaf Adventures pioneered travel in BC’s Great Bear Rainforest and northwestern Vancouver Island and continues to make significant contributions to coastal conservation efforts. For more information, visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com .

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Media Contacts: Maureen Gordon, Maple Leaf Adventures: 250 386-7245, 250-881-6143 (cell) or Maureen@MapleLeafAdventures.com Deirdre Campbell, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-882-9199 (cell) or deirdre@tartangroup.ca

The SV Maple Leaf sailing south in Hecate Strait, BC, Canada. Photo (c) Kevin J. Smith/Maple Leaf Adventures

Nov. 9, 2011, Victoria, BC – The winners for the 2011 Responsible Tourism Awards have been named and Maple Leaf Adventures, a Victoria-based sailing expedition cruise operator specializing in taking guests on explorations of the Pacific Northwest, has taken one of the top three spots in the category of tourism in a marine environment.

The international awards, held last night at the World Travel Market in London, UK, are designed to celebrate and honour tour operators that preserve, respect and benefit their destinations’ cultures, communities and biodiversity and, in the process, inspire positive change in the tourism industry. With 13 categories to enter, ranging from best accommodation for the environment to best for poverty reduction, it was up to an expert panel of judges to determine this year’s 31 finalists and 13 winners from thousands of nominations.

Capt. Kevin Smith, president of Maple Leaf Adventure

“It’s an incredible honour for all of us here at Maple Leaf Adventures to be recognized for responsible tourism,” said Kevin Smith, president of Maple Leaf Adventures.

“Ever since Maple Leaf first set sail it’s been important to set an example of tourism with a complete commitment to social and environmental sustainability. For example, we approached Coastal First Nations years ago to create economic protocol agreements that respect their culture, history, rights and traditional title to territories we visit.”

Other mindful actions of the Maple Leaf Adventures’ team include hosting naturalists and environmental researchers aboard voyages to teach guests about coastal and ocean ecosystems; donating one per cent of all cruise revenues to conservation projects through the organization 1% For The Planet; and co-founding the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC to establish, promote and teach responsible bear viewing practices.

Grizzly bear viewing and bear conservation work hand in hand in the Great Bear Rainforest, Canada

In recent years, Maple Leaf Adventures has ranked as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth by editors of National Geographic Adventure, had a trip named one of the one of the “50 Tours of a Lifetime” by National Geographic Traveler, and was listed as a Best Travel Experience and a Trip of a Lifetime by Frommer’s.

Since its foundation in 2004, the Responsible Tourism Awards have attracted more than 10,000 nominations by members of the public, leading to 201 unique organizations from 51 countries around the world being recognized. For more information about Maple Leaf Adventures and its trips, visit www.mapleleafadventures.com. To learn more about the annual Responsible Tourism Awards, visit www.responsibletravel.com.

Guests viewing the poles at UN World Heritage Site SGang Gwaay with a Haida guide on a Maple Leaf trip in Haida Gwa

About Maple Leaf Adventures
Maple Leaf Adventures has offered natural and cultural history cruises aboard a classic tall ship since 1986. With a reputation as one of Canada’s finest tour operators, the multi-day excursions gives guests one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the most beautiful places in the world. As a longtime practitioner of ecotourism, Maple Leaf Adventures pioneered travel in BC’s Great Bear Rainforest (part of Canada’s Inside Passage) and northwestern Vancouver Island and has made significant contributions to conservation. For more information, visit www.mapleleafadventures.com.

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Media Contacts:
Maureen Gordon, Maple Leaf Adventures: 250 386-7245, maureen@mapleleafadventures.com
Deirdre Campbell, Tartan Group: 250-592-3838, 250-882-9199 (cell) or deirdre@tartangroup.ca

The Maple Leaf, sailing in the company of killer whales, BC. Photo (c) Jose Larochelle / Maple Leaf Adventures

From a chance turn off a New Zealand highway, to a community choir performance, to an encounter with beach garbage …unexpected aha! moments have inspired travelers to make a difference.

Now, on World Oceans Day, if you’ve shared your story about such a pivotal moment, you could make a difference for yourself, too: by winning a spectacular multi-day Whales and Totems adventure cruise in the Broughton Archipelago, off northern Vancouver Island, and the opportunity to blog about it.

Just head to the Living Oceans Society’s website, find the “The Way I Sea It” contest, and write up to 300 words on what inspired you to make a difference in the world.

The examples above are real-life moments shared by participants in this Canada-wide contest, organized and sponsored by Living Oceans Society, and co-sponsored by Victoria-based adventure cruise company Maple Leaf Adventures. Entry deadline is June 5 and the winner will be announced June 8, 2011.

“All across Canada, many people are working to make a difference, big and small,” says Jennifer Lash, Executive Director of Living Oceans Society, a BC marine conservation organization. “We wanted to acknowledge and reward people with a chance to win an ocean adventure in our own backyard.” Living Oceans Society is based in Sointula, a tiny fishing village on Malcolm Island in the Broughton Archipelago.

The prize trip includes cruising and sailing the islands of the Broughton Archipelago, viewing killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions and other wildlife, visits to Alert Bay, and explorations of remote beaches and rainforest. A gourmet chef prepares all meals and snacks, the onboard naturalist makes the world come alive, and the classic schooner Maple Leaf provides warmth, comfort and excellent access to the natural world. Maple Leaf’s trips are rated a “Best Travel Experience” by Frommer’s Canada.

“As an ecotourism business, we make our living from strong communities and healthy ecosystems on the BC/Alaska coast,” said Maple Leaf Adventures president Kevin Smith. “We believe strongly in giving back and we love the idea of a website where people share their inspiring stories.”

For details and to enter the contest, go to www.livingoceans.org/thewayiseait/ and share your story in 300 words or less. Then, get friends and family to show their support by voting for your entry. Judges will choose a winner from the five contestants with the most votes. Stories will be judged based on creativity and originality, writing style, and relevance to the contest topic. Contest closes Sunday, June 5 and the winner will be announced on June 8, World Oceans Day.

Legal information: No purchase necessary. Residents of Canada excluding Quebec are eligible to enter. The prize is a trip for one person from Vancouver to Port McNeil with Maple Leaf Adventures worth approx. $3,875, and the opportunity to write two to five blog posts (possibly with photos and/or videos) for Living Oceans Society. To enter, contestants must clearly write a short story and be one of the five contestants to get the most votes. Judges will choose one contest winner from the five contestants with the most votes. The contest closes on June 5, 2011. The winner will be announced on June 8, 2011. See contest rules for details.

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About Living Oceans Society
Living Oceans Society is a leader in the effort to protect Canada’s Pacific coast. Based in Sointula, a small fishing village on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Living Oceans Society is the largest organization in Canada focusing exclusively on marine conservation. Living Oceans Society is currently working to achieve
• A management plan that reflects the people who work and live on the coast
• A networks of marine protected areas to support abundant sea life
• Sustainable ecosystem based fisheries
• Healthy oceans free of the risk from oil spills, salmon aquaculture, and other industrial activities

About Maple Leaf Adventures
Maple Leaf Adventures has been offering boutique adventure cruises in B.C. and Alaska since 1986. Our trips are multi-day expeditions aboard the 92-foot schooner Maple Leaf in the coast’s spectacular fjords and archipelagos, most inaccessible except by water. Destinations include Haida Gwaii, the Great Bear Rainforest, southeast Alaska and Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands. Maple Leaf Adventures has been rated one of the top adventure travel companies on earth by National Geographic Adventure, and its trips listed as a “Best Travel Experience” by Frommer’s, and one of Canada’s top 5 guided trips by Explore. Maple Leaf Adventures is an ecotourism company and donates at least 1% of all trip sales to conservation. For more information, please call +1-250-386-7245 / 888-599-5323 or visit www.MapleLeafAdventures.com.

For information on our whale watching trips in the inside passage, see these pages:

• Inside Passage Whale Watching Cruise (summer 2012)
• Whales & Totems of Vancouver Island/ Great Bear Rainforest (every year)
• Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) Tour (every year)
• Alaska Adventure Small Ship Cruise (every year)

Newsletter banner – A beautiful October evening in the Broughton Archipelago, at the edge of Queen Charlotte Strait. The Maple Leaf is moored in the mid-ground, and the crew brought her guests out for a view of the sunset. Taken on a Whales & Totems trip by Kevin Smith.

Kevin and Maureen – A winter afteroon found Kevin, Maureen and a big albacore tuna on the deck of Maple Leaf, in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, for a newspaper photo to celebrate Maple Leaf’s becoming the founding adventure travel partner for the Ocean Wise sustainable seafood program. Taken by Paul Smith.

Photo of the month – Sailing the fjords of the Great Bear Rainforest on a beautiful September day. Taken on a Great Bear Rainforest trip by James Warburton.

Inside Passage – A view from the deck in spring in the Great Bear Rainforest. Photo by Kevin Smith.

The mortuary and memorial poles at SGang Gwaay aka Ninstints – Taken on a Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands trip by Kevin Smith.

Giant tortoise – A wild giant tortoise in the Galapagos Islands – we are not sure if there is a face with more character on it! Taken on a Galapagos trip by Kevin Smith.

Kevin in a Maple Leaf / Patagonia fleece – Classy and cozy at the same time. We think Capt. Kevin is explaining something about steering the ship to one of our guests, who is standing next to him at the helm. Photo by Paul Smith, on a Gulf Islands National Park trip.

Shipyard – The Maple Leaf, swaddled in tarps to keep out the snow. Taken by James Warburton at shipyard 2011.

Guests on an Alaska trip – In the coastal rainforest. Photo by Stephen Anstee.

Grizzly mum and cub – Taken by Paul Smith on a Great Bear Rainforest trip.

Maple Leaf and humpback whale – This humpback whale is “flick feeding” in Juan Perez Sound, Haida Gwaii. Taken by Kevin Smith on a Haida Gwaii / Queen Charlotte Islands trip.

Kevin Smith with camera – Taken by Paul Smith on a Gulf Islands National Park trip

This year, the hardworking crew battled minus 18 degree temperatures with windchill (who knew it was possible?), snow and rain, to be rewarded with a few days of sun at the end. Lifted from the Fraser River, the Maple Leaf stood supported on the shipyard ground.

A huge "travel lift" raises the 95-ton Maple Leaf from the river

The crew climbed the scaffolding surrounding the Maple Leaf, and scraped paint, fastened in new planks and performed routine maintenance on critical ship systems.

Chef Drew loaded the team with calories to stay warm, producing fantastic meals with his penchant for flavour.

As most water in the ship was turned off for the duration, the crew found a fun way to warm up: sauna, hot tub and swimming pool in the complex next door.

Maple Leaf's stern, in the travel lift

Here’s to the shipyard crew of 2011 … masters of encasing Maple Leaf in tarps and working hard no matter what the weather! They are:

Capt. James Warburton, Paul Smith, Greg Shea, Tavish Campbell, Terese Ayre, Ashley Stocks, Miles Rhynas, Morgan Siemens, Mirko Zscherper, Stanley Kunze and last, but definitely not least, Drew Kennedy.

Sanding the hull to prep for painting

So, what did they do?
For those whose understanding of ships is limited, we will just say that they made Maple Leaf more beautiful, maintained and upgraded her safety systems, replaced a big sail and made her more energy efficient.

See the photos for details.

For those with more of an engineering bent, or who feel a sense of ownership of this magnificent vessel you’ve sailed on, you may enjoy this partial list of work:

• Designed and installed a new, state-of-the-art engine room fire supression system, and an new emergency bilge pumping system, both upgrades from the older systems and newly required by Transport Canada.
• 

  Greg Shea at work

  Total overhaul of the main engine keel cooler.

• Replacement of through-hulls, and a new bobstay.
• New LED mast spreader lights that are 400% more energy efficient than the old, incandescent ones.
• Maple Leaf has a new sole! Yes, she’s got plenty of soul inside those cedar ribs, but now she’s got a beautiful new galley floor, called a sole. Designed and built by local shipwright Keith Battersby, the alternating pieces of teak and maple echo the traditional floor of many tall ships.
• 

  Some sun arrives for painting time.

  A brand new foresail, a bit larger than the last, with a lengthened foresail boom, to take a bit more power from the wind.

• Maintenance and improvements to our expedition zodiacs.
• Additional systems upgrades including the navigation and multimedia computer.
• 

  The new foresail (back) fills, Gulf Islands National Park

  General maintenance as necessary, including sanding and repainting the entire hull, and varnishing the exterior brightwork.

We’ve also included a photo “in action” of one of last year’s improvements that wasn’t finished by the last shipyard report –

Enjoying the new aft deck seats, Whale Channel, Great Bear Rainforest, BC

our beautiful aft deck seats which make a new favourite place to sit while under way.

That's what's at the end of the rainbow!

The last patches of bottom paint.

After signing the ship's keel (to be read by fish all year)

Re-launching the ship into the river

Under sail, fresh for the start of another year on the coast.

Learn more about the nature of the BC and Alaska coast, and about trips on the Maple Leaf!

Victoria Show |  Courtenay/Comox Show |  Sidney Show

Wild Coast – Adventures Around South Georgia Island & BC’s Great Bear Rainforest

Date: Friday, March 11
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Young Auditorium (Young Bldg, room 216), Camosun College Lansdowne Campus, 3100 Foul Bay Rd., Victoria

• Parking is available for $2.50 for 4 hours. Click here for a map.

Admission: by donation (suggested donation $10)

Info: 250-386-7245

View the poster in PDF format.

Description:

Join naturalists Hayley Shephard and Maureen Gordon for an evening of adventure travel, wildlife conservation and the story of following dreams. It is an odyssey seen through stunning images and captivating film of two of our Earth’s great natural havens: South Georgia Island and the Great Bear Rainforest. Travel information will also be available.

Kayaking to Save the Albatross: Vancouver Island based wilderness guide Hayley Shephard set out to attempt the very first solo sea kayak expedition around the remote Sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia to raise awareness for the Albatross.

While Hayley paddled alone beside this gale torn island, wildlife and weather dictated her every move and battle with obstacles and challenges were endless.

The presentation ‘A Beautiful Burden’ encompasses the human elements of courage, character and personal challenge while a dream is being fulfilled.  Albatross will take the spotlight as Hayley links their unique behaviors and admirable feats to the devastating situation which may eliminate them from our planet.

Entertaining story-telling, stunning images and captivating video stylishly merge the imperative tale of the Albatross and one woman’s dream to kayak alone around a treacherously spectacular island to help save a magnificent bird. Featured presenter at the Vancouver Mountain Film Festival 2011.

Sailing the Great Bear Rainforest for Good: Working on the BC schooner Maple Leaf for seven years, in BC fjords and archipelagos that are hundreds of miles from the last road, Victoria guide Maureen Gordon has witnessed how adventure tourism helps to save bears, whales and seabirds.

Just 10 years ago, most grizzly bears ran in fear from humans; now, in special places, totally wild female bears will nurse cubs in front of people. This is the result of conservation and ecotourism working together in BC.

Through beautiful video and stunning photos captured on Maple Leaf expeditions, Maureen will share stories of coastal wildlife, natural history and the growth of trust between human and bear.

Ecotourism can help change the world… and protect BC’s rugged fjords and archipelagos — some of the planet’s last wild places. Information about travelling on the Maple Leaf will also be available.

Info: 250-386-7245 or info@MapleLeafAdventures.com

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Wild BC and Alaska Coast by Sail
Maureen Gordon, Maple Leaf Adventures
and
Bear Conservation in the Great Bear Rainforest
Brian Falconer, Raincoast

Date: Friday, March 25
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Stan Hagen Theatre, North Island College, 2300 Ryan Road, Courtenay
Admission: by donation
Info:   250-386-7245 or info@MapleLeafAdventures.com

Join Maureen for a visual odyssey through the natural history of the BC and Alaska coast.

From the spring plankton bloom that culminates in spectacular concentrations of feeding humpback whales, to the autumn salmon that feed grizzly and spirit bears, you’ll learn about the natural engines that power life on the coast. Photos and video, from intertidal habitats to calving glaciers included.

After Maureen’s presentation, researcher and conservation director Brian Falconer, of Raincoast Conservation Foundation, will talk about Raincoast’s bear conservation research in the Great Bear Rainforest as well as their effort to protect bears from commercial trophy hunting in the habitat of the spirit bear.

Information about trips to Alaska, the Great Bear, Haida Gwaii and other coastal locations will be available.

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Wild BC and Alaska Coast by Sail Maureen Gordon, Maple Leaf Adventures and Bear Conservation in the Great Bear Rainforest Brian Falconer, Raincoast Date: Thursday, March 31 Time: 7 p.m. Place: Charlie White Theatre, Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney Admission: by donation Info:   250-386-7245 or info@MapleLeafAdventures.com Join Maureen for a visual odyssey through the natural history of the BC and Alaska coast. From the spring plankton bloom that culminates in spectacular concentration s of feeding humpback whales, to the autumn salmon that feed grizzly a nd spirit bears, you’ll learn about the natural engines that power life on the coast. Photos and video, from intertidal habitats to calving glaciers included. After Maureen’s presentation, researcher and conservation director Brian Falconer, of Raincoast Conservation Foundation, will talk about Raincoast’s bear conservation research in the Great Bear Rainforest as well as their effort to protect bears from commercial trophy hunting in the habitat of the spirit bear. Information about trips to Alaska, the Great Bear, Haida Gwaii and other coastal locations will be available. Can’t Make a Show? Learn About the Trips from a Live Webinar Learn more about Maple Leaf Adventures vacations, directly from our experienced crew on this first-ever webinar! “Wild BC and Alaska by Sail” will explore the highlights of each area and the unique benefits of travelling aboard the Maple Leaf. It’s an online version of our popular slide show series – now accessible to anyone, anywhere. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions directly of the crew, via chat or email during the presentation.   Space is limited. Reserve your seat now at: Webinar Details Date: Thursday, Mar. 17 Time: 5 p.m. Pacific time / 8 p.m. Eastern time System Requirements: Flash player 6.0 or later or Windows Media Player 9.0 or later or QuickTime 6.0 or later. Check your system here. To Register: Go to the Event Website. Click “Register”. On the registration form, enter your information and then click “Submit”. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@MapleLeafAdventures.com

More than 3200 images were taken over about an hour one afternoon in December.  The Maple Leaf’s mast’s are visible in the foreground. If you can’t see the video click here.

Day’s End, Victoria BC from Paul Smith on Vimeo.

This excellenct NFB film “Totem: The Return of the G’psgolox Pole” documents the story of the Haisla’s search for a sacred totem pole that was mysteriously lost to them in 1929.

Located in the 1980s as the centerpiece at the Stockholm Museum of Ethnography, it was returned to the BC coast in 2006.

This incredible pole, erected to memorialize the dead in the late 1800s, is currently inaccessible for viewing. But we are thrilled to have been able to coordinate a tour of it for Maple Leaf Adventures guests on our Kitlope Summer and Great Bear Rainforest summer trips!

To find out more about this film, please visit NFB’s web site.

To find out how you can see it on a Maple Leaf trip, visit the Great Bear Rainforest trip page and look up the Kitlope Summer and Great Bear Rainforest Summer 1 trips.

In the late 1990s, after incredible experiences with bears in BC’s Great Bear Rainforest, Charlie Russell and partner Maureen Enns set up an experiment in living with grizzly bears in Kamchatka. This film, by exceptional nature filmmaker Jeff Turner, shows the incredible “Eden” they were able to establish.

Charlie will be leading a Great Bear Rainforest trip on the Maple Leaf this fall, in September 2011.  This clip is from the film Bear Man from Kamchatka which can be ordered directly from Charlie. (A feature-length version, Edge of Eden is also available.)

This amazing clip shows what’s going on under the water when you’re on the Maple Leaf watching hundreds of seabirds and huge humpback whales gulping up food in the sea.

BBC’s Nature’s Great Events: Pacific Feast was filmed in some of the same areas of Alaska, Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island and the Great Bear Rainforest that we visit on the Maple Leaf .  This series aired as Nature’s Most Amazing Events in North America and Nature’s Great Events in the UK.  For more information on this excellent series, including how to buy your own DVD copy click here.