Photo by Peter Barrett
Photo by David McMaster
Photo by David McMaster
Photo by Cam Byrnes
Whale ID by Flip Nicklin
Photo by Cam Byrnes
Photo by Libby Sterling
Photo by Jeremy Gieser
Photo by Libby Sterling
Photo by George Boe
Photo by Cam Byrnes
Photo by Cam Byrnes
Photo by Flip Nicklin
Photo by Brandon Droeger
Photo by Liz Stahl
Photo by Brandon Droeger
Photo by Brandon Droeger
Photo by Jeremy Gieser
Photo by Bob Janes
Plankton Photo by Liz Stahl
Plankton Photo by Liz Stahl
Photo by John Schnell
Photo by Flip Nicklin
Photo by Cam Byrnes
Guide lines
Whales & Glaciers: Citizen Science Adventure
Get more from your cruise and tour experience. You will play a significant role in providing ongoing documentation and data collection as a part of a monitored citizen science program. Hands on experiences include collecting water samples, trawling for plankton, identifying whales, and recording marine mammal observations. Your completed observational data-logging will improve scientists` understanding of the local food chain and other environmental variables that effect local marine wildlife populations.
Your trip begins with a citizen science project debriefing from your trip leader en route to the Mendenhall Glacier. Here you will document the recession of the world's most visited glacier. The day is yours to capture as you participate in a time-lapse photo project that will detail the gradual movement of the glacier as it eventually recedes out of Mendenhall Lake. The glacier has calved in this lake for over a 100 years, dating back to a time when Juneau became the territorial capital.
Next a short drive brings you to a quaint harbor where you will board a safari vessel on your quest for gathering scientific research & wildlife observations. Our custom built watercraft provides a comfortable cabin, a low to the water vantage and an open bow perfect for wildlife observations. As a citizen science observer, you will work to track and record the behaviors and environs pertaining to various marine mammals including humpback whales. The time spent on the water will not only provide an opportunity for scientific discovery, but natural interpretation will also be provided by your trip leader. In addition to an amazing tour experience, you will also have the satisfaction of knowing your efforts made a contribution towards safeguarding and deepening our understanding of the delicate marine environment of Southeast Alaska.
| Tour Time: | 4.25 hours |
|---|---|
| Hike Time: | Easy 30 min walk |
| Elevation: | N/A |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
| Includes: | Bottled water and a granola snack are provided |
| Adult Price: | $179.00 |
| Child Price: | 129.00 |
| Notes: | Wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking on uneven and wet surfaces. Layers of warm clothing and rain gear are recommended. A restroom is available on the research vessel. Our vessels are all equipped with a hydrophone, so when conditions permit, you can listen to the underwater sounds of area whales. Binoculars, maps and a microscope are provided on the vessel as well. Group size is limited. |
