The 2010 season is well under way! Maple Leaf is in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) right now and from what I hear from the ship, they are having a ball.
You can see what they are up to, too, as we've added a new feature to our website: field updates from the ship under way. See below for the link.
Since most of our trips have been sold out for a long time, we've added a couple new trips to our schedule. If you were hoping to see the Great Bear Rainforest this year you are in luck. Check out the 2010 listings below for more information. Plus there are a couple of places available in Alaska and the Galapagos.
Every once in a while, the crew sends the office a short report, via satellite, of what they are up to on a trip. We've posted some from the spring trips on our new blog.
Check it out and hear how it's going from the source!
This beautiful photo by first mate Paul Smith, on a Great Bear Rainforest tour, shows a grizzly sow in her autumn world: a brilliant green and gold estuary, where a small river lets salmon penetrate the rainforest after a journey up a coastal fjord.
In the company of gulls, ravens, eagles and a host of other creatures, she'll spend almost every day in this spot in all kinds of weather. Some years, she'll have a cub or two with her. Some years, she'll be on her own.
Click image to enlarge.
Visit the Photo of the Month page to view all photos of the month since the last newsletter.
If you'd like to sail away into the beautiful B.C. and Alaska island world, see whether one of these remaining places is for you.
Due to popular demand, we have added some new trips.
Alaska Adventure Cruise, June-July 2010
From ancient rainforests to tidewater glaciers, inland waters filled with whales, to the west coast haunt of puffins and sea otters, southeast Alaska breathes majesty with every breath.
Add to that the historic Alaskan towns and a very special natural hot springs and you've got 12 days in one of nature's most dramatic places. 11 nights/12 days
NEW TRIPS! Great Bear Rainforest August, Sept 2010
Due to popular demand, we have added two trips to our scheduled adventures in the Great Bear Rainforest. These trips will be conducted on the 70-foot steel sailing ship Achiever, an experienced and certified passenger carrying vessel that is owned by Raincoast Conservation Foundation. This trip is fully operated by Maple Leaf Adventures, with Maple Leaf's experienced crew.
The Achiever is the ship that has been used for the groundbreaking research on rainforest wolves, and also to take the top documentary film crews on earth into the Great Bear Rainforest, and our crew for this trip were part of those research and filming expeditions, too. 7 nights/8 days
Gulf Islands National Park, Oct 2010
Cruise the secret world of the Gulf Islands National Park, where wildlife colonies, wild beaches and garry oak meadows dot the serene Salish Sea.
Residents of B.C. and people from all over the world are amazed at this beautiful, wild island paradise so near to Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle, but so natural and undiscovered it seems so very far away.... 5 nights / 6 days
Craft Beer & Island Exploring: Tall Sails and Ales Tour
Our popular annual "culinary" tour is back this fall.
Join brewing historian Greg Evans and the Maple Leaf crew for a 6-day adventure tasting 50 top B.C. beers, learning about the culture and history of brewing, and cruising the Gulf Islands including parts of the national park.
For those planning ahead for next year's trips, our 2011 schedule is fully available online now.
You can also take advantage of our early booking program, where you can reserve your place for just $500 down, until Sep. 1, 2010 when the full deposit of 1/3 of the trip price is due. This enables you to get the place you want but not lay out the money for it so far in advance.
"Thank you very much to all the crew of the Maple Leaf and fellow passengers for creating one of the most exceptional adventures of my life. Thank you Grant for imparting your “Bear” knowledge and passion. Can’t wait for another adventure – I’m hooked." - Peggy Jameson, Tofino, BC, from Great Bear Rainforest Trip 2009
"We had been intending to take a trip like this for 30 years at least.
"When we read a description of the Maple Leaf, we figured the time had come. You’d think that 30 years of built up expectations would be impossible to meet, but the ship and crew of Maple Leaf Adventures more than did it.
"James, Paul, Sean, and Lila – your warmth, friendliness, competence, and knowledge made every minute a fascinating experience. And the food was utterly spectacular! Thank you all a thousand times!" - Veronica and Graeme Shelford, Thetis Island, BC, from Whales and Totems Trip 2009
"Surrounded by sea, islands, visible air, sunsets, and wind – add a great crew, great food and treats, and a hike or 2 or 3, and much beauty of every sort...so much to take in...enveloped in a feeling of freedom and camaraderie – all the wonders and gifts of a fabulous vacation. Thanks to all aboard for a truly special visit to BC, Maple Leaf, and environs."
- Kris Robison, Brookline, MA, from Gulf Islands National Park Trip 2009
Karin Richter - Immigrant of Distinction Award
Karin, who has lead 3 Art at Sea trips on the Maple Leaf to date, was recognized in February with the Immigrant of Distinction Award, from Immigrant Services Calgary.
This prestigious award honours individuals who have made a significant contribution to the art community through their skills, passion and vision.
Congratulations, Karin!
Kimberly Snider - Welcome Aboard!
This winter we welcomed Kimberly Snider to the Maple Leaf Adventures office.
Kimberly’s delightful voice and friendly emails greet all the people that contact Maple Leaf Adventures, as she looks after customer service and administration.
After fifteen years in the alternative healthcare, wine and outdoors industries, Kimberly followed her passion for deep ecology and sustainable tourism to Maple Leaf Adventures.
Her reflective, friendly manner coupled with her efficiency and attention to detail make her the perfect person to assist Maple Leaf customers with questions about trips and travel.
When not in her “control centre” at Maple Leaf, Kimberly enjoys holistic health and fitness, hiking, dancing and helping to preserve the spectacular B.C. wilderness.
Carrie Hisaoka - Alaska Naturalist
Carrie Hisaoka, an experienced field researcher and naturalist in Alaska, is joining the Maple Leaf for our Alaska Adventure June 13-24 this year.
Carrie, a resident of Sitka, Alaska, spent last summer researching birds on the tiny island of St. Lazaria, which surely must be nirvana for any naturalist on the entire west coast of North America!
In addition to field research projects on seabirds, raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl throughout Alaska, she has also rehabilitated eagles and other birds.
She is currently working with a humpback whale biologist responsible for the Alaska humpback whale database, and leading hiking and birding trips in Sitka. Carrie is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for the natural history of southeast Alaska with you.
Carrie is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and passion for the natural history of southeast Alaska with you.
This month, Kevin donated an essay to a book about the value of thriving bears in B.C., called Faltering Light: A visual petition from concerned individuals, created by Dr. Andrew Wright. Other contributors include Jane Goodall, Charlie Russell, Ian McAllister, Wayne McCrory and Art Sterrit, executive director of Coastal First Nations.
Kevin's essay, titled "Wanted Alive, Not Dead: The Financial Value of Thriving Bears in B.C.", outlines the economic argument for ceasing the trophy hunting of bears (killing for sport, not food).
The book is also a "visual petition" to stop the trophy hunt: the back has a list of over 6,000 people who have so far signed the petition, including many in the Maple Leaf Adventures community. It also contains beautiful photos taken over the years in the Great Bear Rainforest, by Andy Wright, who created the book and the petition.
You can view the book and Kevin's essay here: Blurb Bookstore
(Click the book, then click FULL SCREEN to be able to read it, and click the right side to scroll through the pages.)
You can add your name to the petition, here:
Sign the online petition [scroll to the bottom of the linked page and click Sign Petition] to let the government know you are opposed to the continued sport hunting of bears in B.C. It's quick and easy and protects your privacy on the Internet.
Stand up and rub a tree with your back - get some milk from mama - have her pull you into the river to learn to swim ... all in a day's work for a little grizzly bear cub.
We thought you'd enjoy this short video of scenes taken on one of our trips in the Great Bear Rainforest by Capt. James Warburton.
There is an endearing quality to this little bear exploring its new life. Enjoy!
Thank you to Tourism Victoria for including the environment in its criteria for successful businesses.
We were honoured to be among the individuals in Victoria recognized for protecting and promoting the natural world.
The award iself, a Haida wolf motif from the estate of Bill Reid, was a perfect icon for the elements of our committment to coastal nature and culture.
Just a quick note that if you are dropping by or couriering something, we have a new location:
Maple Leaf Adventures
#209-1110 Government Street (above Murchie's)
Victoria, B.C. V8W 1Y2
Canada
Our mailing address remains the same:
Maple Leaf Adventures
PO Box 8845, Stn Central
Victoria, B.C. V8W 3Z1
Our phone numbers and email address also remain the same:
Toll free N. America 1-888-599-5323
Regular +1-250-386-7245
Email info@MapleLeafAdventures.com
The 2010 season is well under way! Maple Leaf is in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) right now and from what I hear from the ship, they are having a ball.
Every once in a while, the crew sends the office a short report, via satellite, of what they are up to on a trip. We've posted some from the spring trips on our new blog.
From ancient rainforests to tidewater glaciers, inland waters filled with whales, to the west coast haunt of puffins and sea otters, southeast Alaska breathes majesty with every breath. 
Due to popular demand, we have added two trips to our scheduled adventures in the Great Bear Rainforest. These trips will be conducted on the 70-foot steel sailing ship Achiever, an experienced and certified passenger carrying vessel that is owned by Raincoast Conservation Foundation. This trip is fully operated by Maple Leaf Adventures, with Maple Leaf's experienced crew.
7 nights/8 days
Cruise the secret world of the Gulf Islands National Park, where wildlife colonies, wild beaches and garry oak meadows dot the serene Salish Sea.
Our popular annual "culinary" tour is back this fall.
2 places just came available on this previously sold-out trip!
For those planning ahead for next year's trips, our 2011 schedule is fully available online now.
"Thank you very much to all the crew of the Maple Leaf and fellow passengers for creating one of the most exceptional adventures of my life. Thank you Grant for imparting your “Bear” knowledge and passion. Can’t wait for another adventure – I’m hooked."
"When we read a description of the Maple Leaf, we figured the time had come. You’d think that 30 years of built up expectations would be impossible to meet, but the ship and crew of Maple Leaf Adventures more than did it.
"Surrounded by sea, islands, visible air, sunsets, and wind – add a great crew, great food and treats, and a hike or 2 or 3, and much beauty of every sort...so much to take in...enveloped in a feeling of freedom and camaraderie – all the wonders and gifts of a fabulous vacation. Thanks to all aboard for a truly special visit to BC, Maple Leaf, and environs."
- Kris Robison, Brookline, MA, from Gulf Islands National Park Trip 2009
Karin Richter - Immigrant of Distinction Award
After fifteen years in the alternative healthcare, wine and outdoors industries, Kimberly followed her passion for deep ecology and sustainable tourism to Maple Leaf Adventures.
In addition to field research projects on seabirds, raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl throughout Alaska, she has also rehabilitated eagles and other birds. 
This month, Kevin donated an essay to a book about the value of thriving bears in B.C., called Faltering Light: A visual petition from concerned individuals, created by Dr. Andrew Wright. Other contributors include Jane Goodall, Charlie Russell, Ian McAllister, Wayne McCrory and Art Sterrit, executive director of Coastal First Nations.
Thank you to Tourism Victoria for including the environment in its criteria for successful businesses.
Just a quick note that if you are dropping by or couriering something, we have a new location:
Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach us anytime - we love hearing from you!