Polar Bears International
A SHARED VISION
At the heart of our relationship with Polar Bears International is a shared mission: to connect people with polar bears and the scientists who study them, while advocating for a sustainable future for these iconic animals. Each year, thousands of guests from around the world travel to Churchill with us—curious, passionate and eager to learn.
Through our alliance with Polar Bears International, guests leave not only with unforgettable memories, but with a deeper understanding of polar bear research, conservation, climate change and the vital role each of us plays in protecting the future of polar bears.
Shared Roots
The inception of Polar Bears International began on a Tundra Buggy® in Churchill, where in 1992 a group of passionate photographers, inspired by the polar bears they encountered, formed a non-profit originally called Polar Bears Alive. Their mission was to protect polar bears and inspire others to care about their future.
Today, that small organization has grown into Polar Bears International, a leading global voice for polar bear conservation, dedicated to studying, protecting, and advocating for polar bear populations around the world—all inspired by those first powerful moments on the tundra.
Decades later, though much has changed, you’ll still find Polar Bears International team members on Tundra Buggies, continuing their mission and advocating for the future of polar bears right where it all began.
Field Programs
Polar Bear Live Cams
Every autumn, Polar Bears International, Frontiers North Adventures, and Explore.org collaborate to bring the world closer to polar bears through live video broadcasts straight from the tundra.We provide the infrastructure and logistical support for three cameras, including a mobile cam mounted on Tundra Buggy One and two stationary cams located at our Tundra Buggy Lodge. Each year millions of people watch these live cams from around the globe. View Live Cams Here
Field Ambassadors
Throughout polar bear season, Polar Bears International Field Ambassadors join our guests aboard Tundra Buggies to observe wild polar bears. These passionate volunteers—often field researchers, animal caregivers, or educational staff from accredited zoological institutions—complement our guides’ interpretation by sharing in-depth knowledge about polar bear biology and Polar Bears International-supported research projects, enriching the overall experience. Learn More Here
Tundra Connections®
These live webcasts connect scientists in the field with viewers around the world, delivering cutting-edge science education and a call to action on climate change. During the day, Tundra Buggy One functions as the mobile studio for Tundra Connections broadcasts. During the evenings, when Buggy One is docked at the Tundra Buggy Lodge, Tundra Connections panelists dine with Frontiers North guests, share evening presentations, and stay overnight on the tundra with us. In 2023, Tundra Connections reached more than 430,000 people, providing viewers the opportunity to engage with scientists and other experts to ask questions. See Tundra Connections
CLIMATE ALLIANCE
Climate Alliance is a field program for representatives of Arctic Ambassador Centres, designated by Polar Bears International and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The program provides a foundation in climate science, insight into Arctic sea ice and polar bears, and tools to support community-level change.
Participants travel to Churchill to work with Polar Bears International staff, experts, and facilitators, developing actionable plans to take home. We support the program with a Tundra Buggy® classroom, nights at the Tundra Buggy Lodge, and overall touring support. Climate Alliance Program
TUNDRA BUGGY® ONE
Permit and Vehicle
Frontiers North Adventures provides Polar Bears International with one of our Tundra Buggies and one of our permits to operate in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, supporting their vital research and outreach efforts on the tundra.
Live Broadcasts
Tundra Buggy One is a mobile broadcast studio that we developed exclusively with and for Polar Bears International, to use as a platform for delivering polar bear conservation and climate change awareness programming with global audiences.
20+ Years
We’re proud that our Manitoba-based company has invested for over 20 years in Polar Bears International’s field programs that are operated from Tundra Buggy® One, and how our efforts have contributed globally to how we can all better understand polar bears.
Scientific Footprint
As leaders in polar bear research, Polar Bears International is committed to supporting field projects and ground-breaking studies that help to inform conservation efforts. Learn more
- Population studies
- Technology innovations
- Denning research
- Human- bear coexistence
- Indigenous knowledge
- Genetics studies
- Zoo-based studies
Polar Bears International House
Located in Churchill, the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Polar Bears International House is an interpretive centre focused on polar bears and polar bear research with a goal to help visitors learn about polar bears, sea ice loss and the urgent need to take action. Regardless of season, all of our town-based tours include an interpretive presentation from a Polar Bears International representative in this space.
The Polar Bears International House serves as a gathering place for the Churchill community and a hub for visiting scientists, educators, and special guests whose outreach work and support are critical to polar bear conservation.
Adventures With Ambassadors
Tours Featuring Polar Bears International