Ecotourism is a relatively new word. It was first used in Central America, defined as: "Environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features-both past and present) that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local populations." - Hector Ceballos-Lascurain (1983) In 1991, the US based Ecotourism Society (now The International Ecotourism Society) defined it as "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well being of local people." Both these definitions include the elements of environmental conservation & education, community development and responsible travel to / from the destination, a concept that forces us to consider modes of transport. |
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Great Canadian Wilderness believes in, and - as much as possible - practices the principals of Ecotourism. Our operational philosophy is to be as unobtrusive on the land and waters as ethically possible, and includes the teaching and practice of eco-tourism; thus applying minimum-impact considerations to all of our field activities within practical and economically viable guidelines. We practice and teach these minimum-impact camping procedures for all of our field expeditions. Such practices include the removal of all garbage from the field, campfires in metal boxes and/or below the high-water marks, allowing no cutting of live trees, and strict 'catch & release' fish management. Ideally, we try not to even leave footprints! |
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During our nearly four decades of Northern Arctic operations, we are fortunate to have located, and subsequently to offer genuine wild wolves viewing, consistent active caribou water crossings and musk-oxen grazing range; and offer quality photography and viewing of these wild animals with a high degree of success. Yet, in such a huge landscape as the Canadian Arctic, and with such unknown variables from season to season as wolf population densities, false-den years, changing caribou migratory routes and hunting & trapping pressures from the tree-line; the task to locate animals can often be formidable. Once located, extreme care must be taken not to spook them, as it does not take much pressure at all to disturb wolves, caribou & musk oxen. |
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We at Great Canadian strive to find and maintain a balance between providing world-class viewing opportunities for our clients, while maintaining an ethical and non-disturbing approach to sensitive wild animals. As a eco-tourism company, we practice daily environmentally conscious field ethics that are intended to leave as little impact as possible to our surrounding environs. This attitude is particularly important in sensitive Arctic and sub-Arctic regions where even just walking over the wrong area at the wrong time in the wrong manner, may scar the land for hundreds of years. Our camps, equipment & field techniques are operated in such a manner, and we expect our guests to assist us in our endeavor to maintain purity on the land. |
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Of critical importance are field practices that minimize disturbance of wildlife and bird life – the ideal wildlife encounter to us is one where we come, watch and then leave without the animals ever knowing of our presence! Ecoventures will not endorse wildlife harassment in any form, for any reason. Nor will we endorse spooking or feeding wildlife at any time to provide closer viewing.
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'Caribou & Wolves - 'The Deadly Dance' In 2003 & 2004, Great Canadian was proud to facilitate cinematographer Jeff Turner and crew of River Road Films to several wild wolf den sites, and to the Great Summer Caribou migration. Jeff got some awesome footage - with several grizzlies coming in to a remote water crossing to feed in several caribou that were stuck in the boulders of a creek crossing. During the spring of 2004, Jeff also got some quality wolf pup footage on the upper Thelon. Jeff is in England right now, and in the process of editing his footage into a new wildlife documentary that will be aired next year around Mother's day in the US on Animal Planet and in the UK on BBC2 around the same time on a series called "The Natural World". Jeff had this to say about his trips with us: "I have filmed wolves, caribou and grizzly bears in many areas of the Canadian Arctic over the past 15 years and I have to say that the area around Whitefish Lake [Upper Thelon River] is without a doubt the most beautiful piece of Arctic tundra I have ever experienced. It is a world class wilderness with some of the planets most spectacular scenery and wildlife that is hard if not impossible to see anywhere else. I know of no other place where you can go and watch wild wolves around their den. Wolves are one of the most difficult animals to get close to in the wild and Tom and his crew have been doing it here for years. That says a lot about their sensitivity and success as wildlife guides. Tom and his crew at Great Canadian Ecoventures are ideally placed to give access to this wonderful landscape. There is no-one with more experience and knowledge of the area and they have setup a comfortable, warm and homey camp with good food and facilities in the middle of this wilderness. They live lightly on the land here trying always to keep the imprint of man to a minimum in this pristine place. I admire and appreciate the work they do and wish them much success in the future." Jeff Turner |
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We are very proud to announce that in 2002, 'Tundra Tom' and Great Canadian Wilderness were nominated by year 2000 client & fellow Yukon Northerner Dr. Dave Simonson for the World Wildlife Fund International Arctic Programme Arctic Award for Linking Tourism and Conservation. The first nomination was then backed up by other client nomination letters from author Alan Weisman and photographer Lonnie Brock. Click logo at right to read these very special nomination letters: |
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Ecoventures list of most notable accomplishments
Ecoventures sponsors a non-commercial website for the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary
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Wolves & the Great Summer Caribou Migration |
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Come warm yourself by our fire.
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Great Canadian Wilderness
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Phone: 1-800-667-9453 (Canada & USA)
Overseas Phone: +715-254-9318 North American toll-free Fax: 866-416-5548 Email: tundra@thelon.com Request More Information |
