Polar Bear Pass Research Facility
Permanent, insulated, oil-heated building capable of housing 4-5 persons comfortably. Basic supply of standard equipment required for day-to-day living including kitchen gear, tools, etc. In the summer, drinking water must be hauled from a stream approximately 500 m to the north. Note that building may have difficulty maintaining a normal room temperature in the coldest part of winter.
Cabin. Photo credit: Tyler Kydd, Environment Canada
Name Email Phone Number
Primary Contact Amie Black [email protected] (613) 998-8523
Secondary Contact Jennie Rausch [email protected] (867) 669-4709
Owner Environment and Climate Change Canada
Membership Regular Member
Latitude 75.666667
Longitude -98.5
Location Polar Bear Pass National Wildlife Area, Bathurst Island
Nearest Community Resolute Bay
Territory/ Province Nunavut
Aboriginal Government/ Homeland Nunavut Land Claim Agreement Facility Type Seasonally-Operated Research Station, Site for Observing/Monitoring
Research Hinterland Continuous Permafrost, Ponds, Terrestrial, Tundra, Wetland
Main Research Disciplines Terrestrial Biology/Ecology
Research History Wetland hydrology and snow research by York University; vegetation and muskox research; bird research.
Current Projects Arctic Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (Arctic PRISM) Tier II Site Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network Site
Power Generator
Communications N/A
Local Transportation To Resolute Bay by scheduled commercial airline service. Access to Polar Bear Pass is by charter Twin Otter or by charter helicopter, although snow machines access from Resolute (130 km) is possible in winter.
Equipment Storage N/A
Dormitory/Sleeping Facilities Two bedrooms with mattresses.
Dining/Kitchen Facilities Open concept cabin with basic kitchen supplies.
Laboratory Facilities N/A
Fuel Availability Recommend supplying own fuel. Some is available on site, but you need to check with Canadian Wildlife Service prior to using fuel and replace what is used.
Research Requirements Persons interested in using the facility must apply to the Canadian Wildlife Service for a permit to enter the National Wildlife Area, and to carry a firearm in the National Wildlife Area. Other licenses may be required.
Special Rules and Regulations There is a honey bucket style outhouse on site for human waste. All waste (human and garbage) must be bagged and flown out from the site. Local External Resources Polar Continental Shelf Program; RCMP (if not a PCSP supported project); Resolute Bay Hunters and Trappers Organization
Nearest Medical Service Resolute Bay (130 km) and Iqaluit (1700 km)
Safety Considerations This facility is located in polar bear country.
Cost N/A
Other Information Cabin is full/in use mid-June to early-August on a 5 year on, 5 year off cycle. Site is currently in use until August 2019. Local hunters use the site sporadically during the winter.
Last Updated 2016-05-03