BIRDFISHTHE SPRING 2015

Churchill Northern Studies Centre Newsletter

Earthwatch Update PAGE 2

CNSC Volunteers PAGE 4

Archaeology Program in Review PAGE 5

FEATURED COURSE PAGE 6

News from the CNSC PAGE 7

inside:

The CNSC Launches a New Fundraising Campaign PAGE 8

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RESEARCH NOTES

ack in 1999, Dr. Peter Scott, then the ScientificCoordinator at the Churchill Northern StudiesCentre, reached out to staff at Earthwatch to seewhether they would be interested in partneringwith the Centre to study the impact of climate

change. Earthwatch agreed – launching one of the organization’sfirst studies directly focused on climate change.

Peter then contacted Dr. Peter Kershaw, a professor at theUniversity of Alberta, and asked if he’d be willing to help leadthe Earthwatch expeditions. Peter went on to lead Earthwatchteams for more than a decade. Earthwatch volunteers, and citizen science more broadly, contributed a great deal of valueto the climate change research.

When Pete retired in 2013, he handed over the project reinsto his former PhD student – Steve Mamet, who is now aPostdoctoral Fellow at the University of Saskatchewan, andthe current Scientific Coordinator at the Centre who hadreplaced Peter Scott in 2002, LeeAnn Fishback. Both LeeAnnand Steve had been working with Earthwatch teams duringPeter’s tenure and were therefore well suited to lead theresearch.”

“B

EarthwatchUpdate

A huge thanks to all those whohave volunteered with teams inChurchill or the MackenzieMountains from the entire projectstaff! For further information andto connect (or reconnect) withour project, please also visit us onFacebook at “Climate Change atthe Arctic’s Edge”. Steve regularlyposts updates from the field andalso relevant information andpublications from our research project. f

The “Climate Change at the Arctic’s Edge” research program with Earthwatch Institute recently celebrated its15th year of offering citizen science opportunities at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. Earthwatch staffput together an excellent multimedia communication piece that we wanted to share – earthwatch.atavist.com. Here’s an excerpt from their piece about how we got here:

3Churchill Northern Studies Centre Newsletter • SPRING 2015

RESEARCH NOTES

Our new 125 gallon coldwater marine aquarium

hrough NSERC's PromoScience Program, the CNSCreceived three years of funding to work with youngCanadians to promote an understanding of the subarctic environment. SubArctic Youth Science

(SAYS), Churchill is about bringing the subarctic environmentalive for youth. The grant will aid in the development of programming to bring the marine, northern boreal forest andtundra ecozones that intersect in Churchill into the classroom;using science, the program is designed to showcase the tremendous diversity of life and human activities in theSubarctic. In doing so, it is intended to inspire interest in, andunderstanding of, northern Canada, and motivate youth tostudy science.

PromoScience, which is administered by the Natural Sciencesand Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), offersfinancial support to a wide variety of organizations to developprograms that motivate youth to take an interest in scienceand engineering. Through the work of these organizations,budding scientists and engineers learn about scientific methods,meet role models and develop valuable critical thinking skills.

During the first year of funding we developed a marine biologyunit to encourage youth to participate in field-based programsabout the importance of the tidal zone to marine life inHudson Bay. Part of this project involved putting together a125 gallon salt water aquarium at the Centre. This project wascompleted over the late summer and fall months with the collections making a year-round display tank in the laboratoryof the CNSC for everyone to experience the inter-tidal zone! f

MarineEducation

Program

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he volunteer support that the CNSC receives isimmeasurable and most appreciated! Some volunteerseven grace our doorstep more than once becausethey just like being here that much! Washing up with

guests and researchers from all over the world puts an interestingtwist to the job, especially when volunteers spend night afternight with our winter guests watching the amazing NorthernLights dancing overhead! The CNSC would like to especiallyrecognize volunteers Sarah Robinson, (4 terms), Brian andLinda Friedmann, (3 terms and counting!), Andrew Fast-Wernerand Lesya Holowczenko (2 terms each) for their dedicationand untiring support of the CNSC. Thank you!

Looking for a subarctic adventure? Well look no further!Volunteers have always helped the CNSC to functionsmoothly and efficiently. Typically our volunteers help out inthe kitchen washing up, (yes, you have to wash lots of dishes),doing small food prep jobs, helping with special events, lighthousekeeping, stocking the gift shop or office tasks. Inreturn for their hard work volunteers are treated to seasonalexcursions and the opportunity to join in with other CNSCgroup activities such as sitting in on program lectures,exploring the town, walks and learning about ongoingresearch at the Centre. We are currently still looking to fill afew positions in July and September of this year. f

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Sarah Robinson counting harbour seals at the Churchill weirin September 2014

Lesya Holowczenko, Andrew Fast-Werner and their new friend

Brian and Linda Friedmann try their hand at dog sledding

CNSC Volunteers

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5Churchill Northern Studies Centre Newsletter • SPRING 2015

Duane Collins, Interpretation Coordinator, Wapusk NationalPark & Manitoba North National Historic Sites

Prince of Wales Fort is a one of a kind site. Built by theHudson’s Bay Company between 1731 and 1771 as a fur tradingpost and a defensive position, this lonely outpost stood watchover western Hudson Bay until its destruction by a Frenchfleet in 1782. Throughout the mid-18th century a bustling furtrade was conducted out of the fort with some First Nationstrading parties traveling more than 1000 kilometres from theinterior of the continent to reach this bay-side post.

In 2014 the Churchill Northern Studies Centre and ParksCanada partnered to create a unique Learning Vacation experience, a seven day public archaeology program at Princeof Wales Fort National Historic Site. Called Hands on History,participants in this program worked with Parks Canadaarchaeologists excavating inside the 18th century Hudson’sBay Company fort.

Once the participants arrived at the fort they began theirhands-on lessons on how archaeologists excavate. Peelingback the layers of soil are like turning the pages of a bookthat contains the story of Prince of Wales Fort and the peoplewho lived there nearly 300 years ago. The excavations tookplace on the southwest section of the rampart and it was soonapparent that there were several stories being revealed atonce. In earlier excavations in other parts of the fort, artifactsrelating to the daily lives of the men who lived in the fortoften made up the majority of what was found. Where thesenew excavations were taking place something else was happening. There were a great number of artifacts found thatdirectly connected to the fur trade. Over 200 tiny, beautifullycrafted glass trade beads were found along with gun parts,and a weigh-scale weight. These artifacts suggest that thisarea of the fort played a direct role in trading. There was alsoa great deal of evidence showing how the fort was constructed.

There was a largeamount of stonechips found inthe rampart fillthat had beencreated by the

stone masons as they shaped the stones for the walls of thefort. Many animal bones were also found in the fill. These provide clues to the diet of the men in the fort. Every now andthen something more unusual would come to light. This year a fragment of a game piece carved from bone was recovered.This is the type of artifact that can reach across the centuriesand connect us with an individual. Imagine two Hudson’s BayCompany men, far from home, trying to take their minds offthe numbing cold for a while by playing a game.

The Hands-On History program allows participants to stepback through time to learn what it was like to live at Prince ofWales Fort in the 18th century and to understand how archeologists piece together the past from the small thingsthat were forgotten. It is also a chance to connect with thepeople who once lived in the fort, how they were similar to usand how they were different, and how their lives became ourhistory. It is a chance to touch the past. f

Hands on Historyin 2015July 30 – August 6, 2015Participants: 16

$1,965 CDN

The CNSC is pleased to be offering

Contact us for more details!

ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAM IN REVIEW

Program in Review:Hands on History-Public Archaeology atPrince of Wales Fort National Historic Site.

For more information on these and other exciting course offerings at the ChurchillNorthern Studies Centre, please visit www.churchillscience.ca and download our coursebrochure today or call (204) 675-2307 to register! Well, what are you waiting for?

featured course

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Wild Planet:The Subarctic in Summer

Meet your instructor!James first came to Churchill in 1990 working as a fieldbotanist with Dr. R.L. Jefferies at La Pérouse Bay (Nestor TwoField Camp). He went on to investigate the effects of thegrowing snow goose colony on the Hudson Bay tidal flatswith Dr. Fred Cooke at Queen's University. James' lovefor the North continued with his population and geneticstudies of caribou herds throughout the Canadian Arctic.He has worked with the World Wildlife Fund as an advisor

on issues that affect caribou herds and has also contributedto management efforts to protect isolated herds acrossCanada's boreal forest. James shares his knowledge of arcticecosystems as an instructor for the University of Toronto andthe CNSC, taking groups across the tundra and on theChurchill River as a guide. When he is not exploring the north,James operates an organic sustainable farm and apiary withhis family in South-Eastern Ontario. f

UpcomingCNSC Learning Vacations:

Spring’s Wings: Birding in Churchill June 11 – 16, 2015 Sold out!

Into the Wildflowers: Flora of the Subarctic July 2 – 7, 2015

Belugas in the Bay: The White Whales of Churchill July 16 – 21, 2015 Sold out!

Hands on History: Archaeology of Fort Prince of Wales Fort July 30 – August 6, 2015

Wild Planet: The Subarctic in Summer August 13 – 18, 2015

Lords of the Arctic I: The Ecology of Hudson Bay’s Polar Bears November 3 – 10 Sold out!

Lords of the Arctic II: The Ecology of Hudson Bay’s Polar Bears November 10 – 17, 2015

Into the Winter Skies: Aurora and Astronomy in Churchill February 4 – 9, March 3 – 8, 2016

North of 58°: Winter Ecology and Northern Culture February 23 – 27, 2016

August 13 – 18, 2015Participants: 16

$1,425 CDNInstructor: James Kushny

Upcoming Road Scholar Programs:Summer in Canada’s Subarctic: Belugas andWildflowers in Churchill July 21-29, 2015

Lords of the North: The Polar Bears of ChurchillOctober 15-22, October 20-27, October 25-November1, 2015

For more information on Road Scholar programs visitwww.roadscholar.org

Imagine hiking the coast of western Hudson Bay, anancient and rugged landscape where boreal forest meetsarctic tundra, a land transformed by ice, wind and water.

Daily hikes will lead you through a wide variety of habitatsincluding: tundra, boreal forest, inter-tidal zone, fen, beachdune, and coastal pond. Walk from Sloop's Cove to Prince ofWales Fort National Historic Site, tracing the footsteps indigenous peoples and early European fur traders. Keep asharp eye out for polar bears – we've seen them before! Avisit to the Parks Canada Interpretive Centre and the world-famous Eskimo Museum, an afternoon of kayaking, andevening presentations on topics in northern ecology completesyour subarctic adventure. This is our most active program.Expect to spend between 4-5 hours per day hiking over relatively flat, but uneven terrain. What are you waiting for?Put yourself out there!

I

Churchill Northern Studies Centre, Box 610, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada R0B 0E0TEL: (204) 675-2307 • FAX: (204) 675-2139cnsc@churchillscience.ca • www.churchillscience.caFOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

Check out our new Online Booking!It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Established in 1976, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre isan independant, non-profit research station located alongthe western coast of Hudson Bay.

The CNSC is a registered Canadian charity in part supported by theManitoba Department of Advanced Education and Literacy.

The Birdfish Newsletter is produced by CNSC staff with assistance fromresearchers and program participants.

Louise Lawrie (Chair) – Churchill Community Development Corporation

John Hrominchuk, Jr. (Vice-Chair) – Churchill Chamber of Commerce

Richard Bello (Treasurer) – Member-at-LargeErika Ingebrigtson (Secretary) – Member-at-LargeMario Tenuta – CNSC Users’ RepresentativeMary Benbow – University of ManitobaMatthew Bunka – Duke of Marlborough SchoolGerald Farthing – Manitoba Council on Post-secondary EducationChristopher Storie – University of ManitobaDave Hicks – Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern AffairsMelissa Gibbons – Parks CanadaLenore Johnson – Member-at-LargePete Whittington – Brandon UniversityShane Hutchins – Town of ChurchillRob Penner – University College of the NorthPierce Roberts – Manitoba ConservationJames Roth – Member-at-Large

Executive DirectorGrant MacNeilAssistant DirectorHeidi den HaanSpecial Projects Assistant/BookkeeperKim DaleyScientific CoordinatorLeeAnn Fishback, Ph.D.Research TechnicianMatt Webb Seasonal Research TechnicianDaniel GibsonProgram CoordinatorStephanie PuleoCookLaura O’SullivanPrep CookPeggy HartHousekeepingPatsy Neepin and Sharon Anderson Fleet & Facilities SupervisorPhillip ParkMaintenance AssistantRene Preteau

to understand and sustain the north

Latitude: 58º 44.16’N Longitude: 93º 49.09’WP.O. Box 610, Launch RoadChurchill, Manitoba R0B 0E0 Canadaemail: cnsc@churchillscience.ca p: 204.675.2307f: 204.675.2139 www.churchillscience.ca

Printed in Canada on recycled paper using vegetable based inks. PLEASE RECYCLE.

7Churchill Northern Studies Centre Newsletter • SPRING 2015

staff

board of directors

Welcome to our New Staff!

Grant MacNeil is from Cape Breton,Nova Scotia, and has attended Saint Mary'sUniversity and Carleton University for a BAand MA in Anthropology respectively. Hisresearch focused primarily on food and masculinity, and his Master’s thesis examined

the relationship between Inuit men and their foodways. Granthas held leadership positions in several not-for-profits prior toarriving at the CNSC. He lives in Churchill with his partnerSarah, also from the East Coast, and their daughter, Carmel. f

Stephanie Puleo is from Vancouver, BC but has lived inseveral northern BC communities prior to arriving in Churchill.In her new role as Program Coordinator, Stephanie continuesto build experience as a non-profit administrator and informaleducator. She has studied Marine Science at the University ofHawaii, research sea turtles. She worked at Science World, BC as an outreach science facilitator, working within theirCommunity Engagement department for nearly 10 years, specializing in programming for inner-city students, home-learners and curating indoor and outdoor exhibits. Prior toarriving at the CNSC, Stephanie was the Executive Directorfor the Fort St. John Literacy Society and as General Managerat North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site.

Matt Webb grew up in asuburb of Ottawa, Ontario. Hisinterests lie in marine sciences,and he has pursued educationsat NBCC St. Andrew's for anAquaculture technician course, aB.Sc. in biology with a focus in

marine biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland andLabrador, and an M.Sc. in Aquaculture at Memorial University.Matt has spent time traveling and studying different aspects ofbiology, working in the field in Ottawa; ON, St. Andrew's, NB;St. John's, NL; Buldir, AK and now Churchill, MB. He is particularly fascinated by killer whales and wolves.

Did you know?For the health of the occupants and the environment, theCNSC is a scent free facility. Learn more athttp://www.churchillscience.ca/about/the-centre.cfm

We rely on our membership to provide the support and funding needed to make the CNSC a place for world class research and education programs in theCanadian subarctic. Join us now and be part of these exciting times at the CNSC. Already a member? Use this form to ensure your membership remains currentand YOU stay abreast of Centre activities.

In accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, names, addresses or other personal information collected by Churchill Northern Studies Centre is used for internal purposessuch as informational mailings, membership renewals and other communications, and is not shared with any third party. Complete details of our privacy policy are available by contacting the CNSC.

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Please detach and mail to:Churchill Northern Studies CentreP.O. Box 610, Launch RoadChurchill, ManitobaR0B 0E0 Canadaor call (204) 675-2307

And it’s so easy…Clip this form below and mail it with your cheque payable to: Churchill Northern Studies Centre, P.O. Box 610, Launch Road,Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, R0B 0E0;

Or visit our web site at www.churchillscience.caand support the CNSC. Just click the "Donate Now" button tosee how we can benefit from your generosity. Your donation willbe processed securely through Canada Helps.

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contribute

CNSC Membership

Your contribution is still needed to ensure that our redevelopmentmeets all the expectations that YOU, our participants, researchers,and members have for the future of the CNSC. No contribution istoo small. Every gift counts.

NEW* membership RENEW* my membership I would like to receive my copy of The Birdfish in electronic form

Individual $50 Student/Senior $40 Family $80 Corporate $500 *One-year CNSC membership #

The CNSC Launches a NewFundraising Campaign

Next year the Churchill NorthernStudies Centre turns 40. It’s an incredibletime to be a part of this organization.For almost four decades we have welcomed up to 200 researchers peryear, facilitated cutting-edge scientificstudies that catalyze change, hostedthe public in hands-on educationopportunities, been a hub for culture

and heritage and supported Churchill’s economy. We evenmoved into a beautiful new facility. The board and staff of theCNSC are grateful to everyone who has contributed to thesuccess of the Centre over the past 39 years. We are leaps andbounds from where we began, and we’re excited for thefuture.

So what’s next? Well…a lot!

We are launching a campaign to raise $4 Million to celebrate40 years of leading research and education in the WesternHudson Bay Region! We will focus on expanding and enhancingour programming and supports for research so that we can bea better research facility, a better learning centre, and a betterhub for our community. We want to be the best that we canpossibly be, and we can’t wait for you to join us to achieve this. Did you know that you can receive the Birdfish via email?

Help the CNSC save on postage and save trees by opting toreceive your Birdfish via email. Renewing your membership?Check the box to receive your Birdfish in electronic form.Membership up to date? Just contact Kim at (204) 675-2307or daley@churchillscience.ca and say change my status toemail only. f

Help Us Save $$$$ and Trees… oll