FortWhyte Alive Fosters Connection with Nature on Arctic Science Day

FortWhyte Alive is a 660-acre reclaimed urban green space situated on a former industrial site. It is a vibrant hub for nature exploration and environmental education in southwest Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The organization’s rich history of conservation and science education is a testament to its commitment to reconnecting people with the natural world.

This commitment is exemplified through their Arctic Science Day programming—a unique learning experience for grade 7-12 students to increase their understanding of the impacts of climate change in the Arctic and learn about careers in Arctic climate change research from environmental scientists themselves.

In 2024, Nat Hab Philanthropy was proud to support FortWhyte Alive and the University of Manitoba Center for Earth Observation Science’s two Arctic Science Day events:

• A virtual Arctic science experience reached over 300 students and their teachers, including a number of participating classrooms in remote Northern Manitoba and
• The 16th Annual Arctic Science Day at FortWhyte Alive.

For the in-person event, nearly 140 students and their teachers learned about Arctic research, including:

• marine mammals
• ocean acidification
• contaminants such as mercury and oil spills
• sediment coring
• Arctic microbiology 
• snow science

FortWhyte Alive Arctic Science Day Activities

Arctic Science Day at FortWhyte Alive was brimming with educational adventures designed to immerse students in the study of polar science and environmental stewardship. The event featured a series of interactive activities that brought the Arctic’s unique ecosystems into focus through hands-on learning experiences.

Students had the opportunity to engage in simulated field research akin to that conducted by scientists in the Arctic. They participated in ice core drilling exercises, where they extracted samples from ice blocks and analyzed them to understand the historical climate data stored within them.

Another highlight was the wildlife tracking station, where students learned to identify animal tracks and understand the behaviors of Arctic fauna.

The climate change simulation booth uses augmented reality technology to allow students to witness the effects of global warming on polar ice caps. Traditional Inuit games provided a cultural perspective, teaching students about the indigenous peoples of the Arctic and their survival skills.

One teacher reported, “Students have been talking about the impacts of climate change on the animals and Inuit communities ever since we’ve returned to school.”

Arctic Science Day activities were not only educational but also aimed to inspire a sense of wonder and responsibility. Hands-on learning opportunities offered a tangible connection to the science curriculum, making the concepts of climate change and conservation more relatable and impactful for students.

FortWhyte Alive’s Arctic Science Day was a testament to the power of experiential learning in nurturing the next generation of climate scientists and conservationists.

Another teacher shared: “The most valuable parts for my students included meeting scientists, seeing artifacts, participating in learning games and hands-on activities.”

Students said:

“I learned that marine mammals use echolocation and different calls to communicate.”

“I learned about taking sediment cores and the impact of pH on ocean life.”

“I learned that cold water absorbs carbon and warm water releases it. The more carbon in the water, the more acidic it gets. Ocean acidification has an impact on ocean animals.”

Arctic Conservation Education

FortWhyte Alive’s educational goals emphasize hands-on learning and fostering a lifelong relationship with nature. After Arctic Science Day 2024, 92% of students stated they had a better understanding of the impact of climate change in the Arctic after the program, and the majority stated that learning about the impact was the most valuable part of the day.

The event’s success will be measured by inspiring future careers in science and environmental studies and encouraging students to consider their role in reducing human impact on our shared environment.

Thirty graduate students, faculty and researchers from the University of Manitoba, along with FortWhyte Alive Education Team staff, supported the program delivery for the day.

Meeting graduate students and scientists seemed to have a particularly strong impact on younger students. They reported afterward:

“I learned how people recognize individual sea mammals and how they estimate the size of their populations.”

“I learned that there are lots of jobs you can do that involve Arctic science.”

“There are many technologies involved in studying marine mammals, like drones, planes and satellites.”

“There’s a bunch of jobs and careers related to Arctic science, and it is a very meaningful career for this generation.”

By bringing the mysteries of the Arctic closer to home, FortWhyte Alive not only educates but also inspires action toward preserving these critical habitats for generations to come.

Conservation Education & The Future of the Arctic

Arctic Science Day serves as a platform for raising awareness about the importance of polar regions in our global ecosystem, engaging young minds through interactive science-based activities. 

FortWhyte Alive offers other Arctic climate change-themed programs as a part of our offerings of School Programs:

• Due North: The Changing Arctic is targeted at Grade 4-5 students
• Arctic Experience is geared toward Grade 7-9 students

During the programs, students learn about the impact of climate change on snow and ice, the Arctic Ocean food chain, and Inuit communities through grade-appropriate, engaging, hands-on activities. Students get to participate in a traditional blanket toss game as a group. We discuss ways that students can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

Teacher feedback includes:

• The program increased students’ awareness of actions to reduce pollution.
• The students say that the most fun was the blanket toss—they enjoyed learning about its cultural purpose for the Inuit, as well as enjoying that they were all working together.

In 2024, FortWhyte Alive hosted two schools for Due North programs for a total of 80 students. We hosted three schools for Arctic Experience, with an overall total of 115 students.

Visit FortWhyte Alive

Would you like to visit FortWhyte Alive yourself?  The urban reclaimed wildlife preserve, recreation area, and environmental education center in southwest Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, represents 20% of Winnipeg’s urban green space.

Nat Hab travelers on our polar bear adventures have a special opportunity to visit FortWhyte Alive and learn more about their educational initiatives when they opt to spend an Extra Day in Winnipeg.

Nat Hab Philanthropy is proud to partner with and sponsor FortWhyte Alive’s other conservation and nature-based educational programming, too. Over 100,000 visitors enjoy FortWhyte Alive’s many programs, trails and exhibits annually. FortWhyte offers curriculum-based educational programs in both French and English to around 30,000 K-12 school children each year. The FortWhyte Farms initiative introduces disadvantaged youth to urban agriculture-based, social and vocational skills training.

About FortWhyte Alive

In 1888, the area was dubbed Fort Whyte after a top Canadian Pacific Railway official who battled to take control of the site from a rival railway.

Starting in 1907, The Canada Cement Company (now Lafarge) used much of what is now FortWhyte Alive to mine clay and gravel to make cement. By the 1950s, floods and other sources of clay made the Fort Whyte site obsolete.

The Wildlife Foundation of Manitoba saw the industrial site as a potential habitat and started reclamation work.

By the 1980s, FortWhyte Alive’s focus shifted from wildlife conservation exclusively to include environmental education, with the establishment of the Fort Whyte Foundation and the opening of trails and an Interpretive Center.

Over the last 30 years, FortWhyte Alive has grown tremendously, adding prairie grassland to forest and wetland habitats and expanding volunteer opportunities, staff and environmental education programs.

Located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Ininiwak, Anisininewak, Dakota, and Dene peoples, as well as the National Homeland of the Red River Métis, today FortWhyte Alive serves as a prime example of how we can manage urban landscapes for sustainable development.

Explore the Arctic Wilderness & WWF Arctic Program

If you are passionate about Arctic science, explore the Arctic wilderness with Nat Hab. Nothing compares to East Greenland for an epic Arctic expedition—and there’s no better way to experience it than from our wilderness Base Camp.

For more on Arctic conservation, WWF maintains a library of Arctic resources and news at WWF Global Arctic Program hub.