We sailed south through the night, crossing the border between Alaska and Canada, and woke up next to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. After brunch, we headed ashore to visit the town and surrounding area. Guests explored the temperate rainforest on foot, getting to know some of the local vegetation and a few of the animal inhabitants. We used hand lenses to look at small lichens and mosses, and enjoyed the view out into the surrounding harbor. At the end of the hike we found a salt marsh, which hosts some unique biodiversity and provides crucial habitat for many intertidal and marine species. Some of the guests also traveled to a nearby cannery museum to learn about the region’s industrial history. We learned about fishing practices from the early 1900s and got a first-hand look at the equipment used to package local salmon for shipping around the world. Other guests explored the many shops, cafes, and museums in town. After a full day, we returned to the ship for dinner, drinks, and the wonderful company on board.
9/24/2023
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National Geographic Venture
Union Passage
This is Erin and Alison (Grosvenor Teacher Fellows) taking over the daily expedition report one last time before we head home. Today on National Geographic Venture , we cruised an inlet along the coastal shores of British Columbia. The morning was spent on Zodiacs. We explored the islands and took a nice, casual walk along the coastal beach. With informative talks by our naturalist throughout our journey, we were excited to implement our new learning in this ecosystem. On Zodiacs, we stopped by one coast and spotted a nurse tree with a Sitka spruce growing from it. A kingfisher perched on top of the spruce and then flew past us with its unique musical call. A harbor seal popped over to say hi as well. As we hiked the shoreline, we found ourselves stepping over fallen driftwood. Taking a closer look, we discovered turkey tail fungus and slime mold growing on the fallen trees. Barnacles and remnants of bull kelp were scattered along the shore. Continuing to walk along the beach, we observed interesting rock formations. We are enthusiastic about science and nature. During our time aboard National Geographic Venture , we found ourselves more informed, more engaged, and more passionate about this beautiful ecosystem. We loved the discoveries we made while immersed in this space, and we incorporated the information provided by naturalists who shared their passion and work with us. We know that visiting this land is a special gift, and we look forward to sharing our newfound knowledge, experience, and connections with our school communities. Text and photographs by Grosvenor Teacher Fellows, Alison Katzko and Erin Schmidt
