Northern Lights and the Wildlife of Northern Manitoba
Highlights
Itinerary
Journey
Host
– Experience true Canadian hospitality at Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge in Northern Manitoba—an exclusive property renowned for its extraordinary service that is situated approximately 200 miles from the nearest road and accessible only by air. This stretch of untouched water and wilderness—spanning over 7,200 square miles—features 12 river systems that merge to form more than 100 lakes as well as the North Seal River. – Set out on a full-day wildlife spotting excursion (by air and by land) during the annual caribou migration—where wolves, bears, bald and golden eagles, wolverines, and scavengers follow this traveling ecosystem. – Admire the geologically rare landscape sculpted thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers that left meandrous formations of gravel and sand called eskers. – Enjoy guided tours and lectures led by local naturalists, specializing in the region’s geology, geography, flora and fauna, and indigenous communities. – Participate in workshops directed by a local professional nature photographer to learn techniques for optimum aurora, wildlife, and landscape photography. – Relish pristine viewing of the northern lights in September that will leave you breathless.
NOTE: The itinerary is a general listing of activities and excursions that may happen during any part of the program. Daily activities will be determined by weather, opportunities to view wildlife, and other various elements that make up the incredibly diverse landscape. While chosen locations are favorable for witnessing the magic of the Northern Lights, we cannot guarantee their appearance. Many factors affect the visibility of this naturally occurring phenomenon.
Day 1: Arrive Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Leisure time, take advantage of the hotel’s many amenities.
Overnight: The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel
Day 2: Winnipeg/Flight to Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge/Eskers Tour/Northern Lights Viewing
Early morning charter flight
Private airstrip at Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge.
Meet your Orbridge Expedition Leader during a welcome lunch at the lodge
Brief introduction to the property and available activities
Rejoin the group for a tour of the surrounding area by all-terrain vehicle
Visit a trapper’s cabin, and view various glacial erratics
Return to the lodge for time to unpack and unwind
Hors d’oeuvres and dinner
Presentation on ideal photography techniques to best capture the northern lights
Head out with hopes to view the aurora borealis when darkness falls. (Peak viewing may occur as early as 9:30 pm this time of year.)
If the northern lights become visible overnight, guests can request a wake-up call to join the viewing.
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Wildlife Excursion/Northern Lights Viewing
Wildlife spotting expedition and scenic tour
Travel by boat to a pristine esker
Explore the topography with an easy walking tour, and track and spot wildlife with a local guide
Lunch is a special treat—Shore Lunch, a real Canadian wilderness tradition.
After hors d’oeuvres and dinner, watch the sunset over the river
Venture back outdoors to view and photograph the northern lights alongside a professional nature photographer and lodge guides
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Caribou Spotting/Northern Lights Viewing
Floatplane excursion north to the Barren Lands
Landing on the tundra (if conditions allow) to stroll the area on foot
Back to the lodge for hors d’oeuvres and dinner
Presentation on Manitoba’s ecosystems and the North Seal River’s unique characteristics
Another opportunity to view the northern lights.
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Optional Activities/Northern Lights Viewing
Choose from a variety of activities for the day
Depending on demand and availability, following options may be chosen as individual, group, or guided activities. Options with additional fees are noted accordingly:
Kayaking
Canoeing
Lake exploration by motor boat
Mountain biking
Hiking
Birding
Fishing (guided or not, experienced or not, from the shore or a boat—Gangler’s will provide the equipment, instruction, and license)
North Seal River float trip ($625 per person)
Blackfish Lake flyout to Roberston Esker plus archaeological tour ($350 per person; limited to six guests)
Revisit previously explored ground to delve deeper into a particular place of interest to you
Additional discussions, lectures, and presentations by local guides and naturalists
Hors d’oeuvres with fellow travelers
Farewell dinner
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Flight to Winnipeg/Depart for U.S.
Board the return charter flight to Winnipeg to connect to flights home.
Guests joining the post-tour will transfer to Inn at the Forks hotel for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
George A. Fulton, PhD
I am a research professor emeritus at the University of Michigan, and a director emeritus of both the forecasting and policy analysis unit in the Department of Economics, and the Center for Labor Market Research in the Economic Growth Institute. I also am a past Board Chair of the U-M Children’s Centers.
I am joined by my wife, Mary Townsend, who spent her career in the U-M library system as a professional librarian in the schools of Public Health and Information, as well as holding the position of librarian for rare medical books. We have two adult daughters, both of whom share in the five degrees earned by our family from the University. We also are lifetime members of the U-M Alumni Association.
I have forecast economic and fiscal activity at the national, state, and local levels for over 40 years. Until recently, I served as a principal advisor on the economy to the State of Michigan, providing testimonies on the economic and revenue outlooks to the Michigan legislature and administration twice a year since 1992. I delivered the keynote presentation at the Governor’s Economic Outlook Briefing annually from 1984 to 2016, for which I received the Distinguished Speaker Award. In 2015, I was appointed by the governor and state treasurer to a three-person panel to evaluate and approve the City of Detroit’s revenue forecasts that form the basis for the City’s yearly budgets. I continue to serve in that role as Chair of the panel.
I have received numerous recognitions for my work, including: the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic and Demographic Analysis—since named in my honor—from REMI, the nation’s most prominent regional forecasting and economic analysis organization; special tributes from both former Governor Snyder and the State of Michigan legislature; a letter of commendation from former U-M President Schlissel; and proclamations from regional leaders. A goal of mine has been to portray the economy in user-friendly language to non-economists, including to alumni at Michigania’s faculty forum, to the U-M Retirees Association, to the Wolverine Caucus (alumni working in and around the State Capitol), and during the Road Scholars Tour, which connects faculty with residents in communities throughout Michigan.
I speak fluent Canadian, having been born and raised in Vancouver. During my undergraduate summers I worked on the train, traveling weekly between Vancouver and Winnipeg. Mary and I are passionate about travel, having visited all seven continents, with our favorite being Antarctica. We both enjoy gardening. And I am an avid sports fan: a season ticket holder for U-M football, and formerly a playing manager for a very successful softball team. We are really looking forward to this fascinating journey to Northern Manitoba.
Highlights
– Experience true Canadian hospitality at Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge in Northern Manitoba—an exclusive property renowned for its extraordinary service that is situated approximately 200 miles from the nearest road and accessible only by air. This stretch of untouched water and wilderness—spanning over 7,200 square miles—features 12 river systems that merge to form more than 100 lakes as well as the North Seal River. – Set out on a full-day wildlife spotting excursion (by air and by land) during the annual caribou migration—where wolves, bears, bald and golden eagles, wolverines, and scavengers follow this traveling ecosystem. – Admire the geologically rare landscape sculpted thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers that left meandrous formations of gravel and sand called eskers. – Enjoy guided tours and lectures led by local naturalists, specializing in the region’s geology, geography, flora and fauna, and indigenous communities. – Participate in workshops directed by a local professional nature photographer to learn techniques for optimum aurora, wildlife, and landscape photography. – Relish pristine viewing of the northern lights in September that will leave you breathless.
Itinerary
NOTE: The itinerary is a general listing of activities and excursions that may happen during any part of the program. Daily activities will be determined by weather, opportunities to view wildlife, and other various elements that make up the incredibly diverse landscape. While chosen locations are favorable for witnessing the magic of the Northern Lights, we cannot guarantee their appearance. Many factors affect the visibility of this naturally occurring phenomenon.
Day 1: Arrive Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Leisure time, take advantage of the hotel’s many amenities.
Overnight: The Grand Winnipeg Airport Hotel
Day 2: Winnipeg/Flight to Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge/Eskers Tour/Northern Lights Viewing
Early morning charter flight
Private airstrip at Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge.
Meet your Orbridge Expedition Leader during a welcome lunch at the lodge
Brief introduction to the property and available activities
Rejoin the group for a tour of the surrounding area by all-terrain vehicle
Visit a trapper’s cabin, and view various glacial erratics
Return to the lodge for time to unpack and unwind
Hors d’oeuvres and dinner
Presentation on ideal photography techniques to best capture the northern lights
Head out with hopes to view the aurora borealis when darkness falls. (Peak viewing may occur as early as 9:30 pm this time of year.)
If the northern lights become visible overnight, guests can request a wake-up call to join the viewing.
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Wildlife Excursion/Northern Lights Viewing
Wildlife spotting expedition and scenic tour
Travel by boat to a pristine esker
Explore the topography with an easy walking tour, and track and spot wildlife with a local guide
Lunch is a special treat—Shore Lunch, a real Canadian wilderness tradition.
After hors d’oeuvres and dinner, watch the sunset over the river
Venture back outdoors to view and photograph the northern lights alongside a professional nature photographer and lodge guides
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Caribou Spotting/Northern Lights Viewing
Floatplane excursion north to the Barren Lands
Landing on the tundra (if conditions allow) to stroll the area on foot
Back to the lodge for hors d’oeuvres and dinner
Presentation on Manitoba’s ecosystems and the North Seal River’s unique characteristics
Another opportunity to view the northern lights.
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Optional Activities/Northern Lights Viewing
Choose from a variety of activities for the day
Depending on demand and availability, following options may be chosen as individual, group, or guided activities. Options with additional fees are noted accordingly:
Kayaking
Canoeing
Lake exploration by motor boat
Mountain biking
Hiking
Birding
Fishing (guided or not, experienced or not, from the shore or a boat—Gangler’s will provide the equipment, instruction, and license)
North Seal River float trip ($625 per person)
Blackfish Lake flyout to Roberston Esker plus archaeological tour ($350 per person; limited to six guests)
Revisit previously explored ground to delve deeper into a particular place of interest to you
Additional discussions, lectures, and presentations by local guides and naturalists
Hors d’oeuvres with fellow travelers
Farewell dinner
Overnight: Gangler’s North Seal River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Flight to Winnipeg/Depart for U.S.
Board the return charter flight to Winnipeg to connect to flights home.
Guests joining the post-tour will transfer to Inn at the Forks hotel for check-in.
Meals: Breakfast
Journey
Host
George A. Fulton, PhD
I am a research professor emeritus at the University of Michigan, and a director emeritus of both the forecasting and policy analysis unit in the Department of Economics, and the Center for Labor Market Research in the Economic Growth Institute. I also am a past Board Chair of the U-M Children’s Centers.
I am joined by my wife, Mary Townsend, who spent her career in the U-M library system as a professional librarian in the schools of Public Health and Information, as well as holding the position of librarian for rare medical books. We have two adult daughters, both of whom share in the five degrees earned by our family from the University. We also are lifetime members of the U-M Alumni Association.
I have forecast economic and fiscal activity at the national, state, and local levels for over 40 years. Until recently, I served as a principal advisor on the economy to the State of Michigan, providing testimonies on the economic and revenue outlooks to the Michigan legislature and administration twice a year since 1992. I delivered the keynote presentation at the Governor’s Economic Outlook Briefing annually from 1984 to 2016, for which I received the Distinguished Speaker Award. In 2015, I was appointed by the governor and state treasurer to a three-person panel to evaluate and approve the City of Detroit’s revenue forecasts that form the basis for the City’s yearly budgets. I continue to serve in that role as Chair of the panel.
I have received numerous recognitions for my work, including: the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Economic and Demographic Analysis—since named in my honor—from REMI, the nation’s most prominent regional forecasting and economic analysis organization; special tributes from both former Governor Snyder and the State of Michigan legislature; a letter of commendation from former U-M President Schlissel; and proclamations from regional leaders. A goal of mine has been to portray the economy in user-friendly language to non-economists, including to alumni at Michigania’s faculty forum, to the U-M Retirees Association, to the Wolverine Caucus (alumni working in and around the State Capitol), and during the Road Scholars Tour, which connects faculty with residents in communities throughout Michigan.
I speak fluent Canadian, having been born and raised in Vancouver. During my undergraduate summers I worked on the train, traveling weekly between Vancouver and Winnipeg. Mary and I are passionate about travel, having visited all seven continents, with our favorite being Antarctica. We both enjoy gardening. And I am an avid sports fan: a season ticket holder for U-M football, and formerly a playing manager for a very successful softball team. We are really looking forward to this fascinating journey to Northern Manitoba.
By participating in an Alumni Association of the University of Michigan travel trip, you have stated that the Alumni Association has the exclusive right to use video and other visual/audio portrayals of You or Your likeness taken during Your trip in any medium of any nature whatsoever for any purpose, including advertising or promoting the services of the trip without any compensation being paid to You. Any such portrayal or likeness shall be the exclusive property of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan.
