Earn three professional development (500 level) credits from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, while exploring Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. Expeditions are led by veteran naturalists with many years of field experience, accompanied by outstanding professional guides from Alaska Discovery and Spirit walker Expeditions, two of Southeast Alaska's premier wilderness adventure companies.

These professional-level courses devote five days to field study of the habits of some of the region's most iconic animals as the key to understanding the broader ecology of the area. For each trip, opportunities abound to closely observe the behavior and habitat of some of Alaska's world renowned animals to more fully understand how humans interact with other species and what it takes to keep those relationships healthy. Exploring the American wilderness ideal is an integral part of each course.

In addition to natural history, you will learn the kayaking, hiking and camping skills needed to safely and comfortably travel in wild country. We provide group gear and all meals, and can advise you on personal items you may wish to bring along. Each expedition is limited to 10 participants.

These expeditions are made possible by the joint efforts of our outstanding partners: Alaska Discovery, Spirit Walker Expeditions, Alaska Geographic Association, USDA Forest Service, Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

2010 Expeditions:

Bears of Admiralty Island: May 31-June 6 
Walk in the footsteps of brown bears and paddle the waters of Seymour Canal as you explore various bear habitats to learn the needs and vulnerabilities of bears and the importance of wilderness protections and proper management of human uses. Bear expert and veteran wilderness manager John Neary will introduce you to brown bear behavior and wilderness management issues in the heart of Admiralty National Monument's Kootznoowoo Wilderness.

Floatplanes will transport 10 participants and two guides to base camp near the world famous Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area sanctuary. From there, you will paddle in stable double kayaks to nearby locations to observe how brown bears use different habitats, with opportunities to hike along trails established by the bears themselves. A more strenuous hike into the alpine zone is an option. Evening gatherings and daytime breaks will give participants an opportunity to compare notes and share insights.

The class starts in Juneau the evening of the first day, with an orientation and get-to-know-you meeting. We will depart early the following morning for our camp on Admiralty Island. After five days of field exploration, we will gather on the morning of the final day to review our experiences, debrief and summarize the results of our expedition. Afterwards we will break camp and return to Juneau.

Whales of Icy Strait: July 23-30
Study the behavior, habitat and management issues of humpback whales and other marine mammals such as sea lions, seals and killer whales while kayaking in Icy Strait and camping along the north shore of Chichagof Island. We will explore the ecological connections between terrestrial and marine systems and the effects of human use patterns on the landscape through forest, meadow and stream walks in the uplands bordering these rich marine mammal feeding waters.

Veteran Discovery Southeast and SEAWEAD naturalist Bob Christensen will lead our inquiry into the natural systems of this wildlife rich area, including mapping exercises to facilitate an understanding of how ecological “hot-spots” are identified and managed. In group gatherings, participants will have opportunities to discuss methods of incorporating natural resource lesson plans into class curriculums.

On our first day, we will meet at the airport in Juneau and travel by small plane to the town of Gustavus, near Glacier Bay. Once in Gustavus, we will gather equipment, meet each other and our guides and review details of the expedition. We will camp that night in Gustavus. The next morning we will board a boat for the trip across Icy Strait to Chichagof Island. At our drop off point, we will make camp and practice kayaking skills in anticipation of our journey toward the Humpback Whale hot-spot at Point Adolphus. On our final morning, we’ll reflect on our personal experiences and the expedition's accomplishments before boarding a boat for Gustavus and then our flight back to Juneau.

Wild Alaska in a Changing World: June 15-21
Paddle your kayak among drifting ice bergs. Place your hand in the footprint of a wild bear. Relax at camp listening to nearby whales. You might even hear a wolf howl. These experiences are at the heart of Wild Alaska in a Changing World, a multi-day exploration of the wildlife, forests and glaciers of southeast Alaska. Special emphasis is placed on how the region is responding to global climate change and what changes in the north mean for the rest of the world.

The class is led by long-time Forest Service ranger and naturalist, Tim Lydon. The classroom is a wild stretch of Alaska’s famed Inside Passage. The group will travel by boat to a base camp on a remote island. Each day, participants will camp, walk and sea kayak in the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness, at a pace suitable to the group.

The class will assemble at the Forest Service office in Juneau on the evening of the first day for an orientation session. The following morning we will travel by boat through the scenic Inside Passage to Holkham Bay. For the next five days, we will camp, kayak and explore this area which is home to harbor seals, sea lions, humpback whales, bears, wolves, eagles and more and is surrounded by old growth temperate rain forest. After some reflection and expedition debriefing, we will return to Juneau by boat on our final day.