Dear friends:

The polar regions of our planet are among the least accessible places on the surface of our planet. In recent years there has been a big increase in travel to the Antarctic regions, but the true Arctic of the north remains visited by relatively few.

It’s an area that’s always intrigued me; the three main ecological divisions of earth are the tropic, temperate, and arctic regions.  For a full sense of the earth’s ecology, it’s helpful to visit all three.

I’ve had a few chances to see arctic environments in northern Alaska, but those visits have left me craving to see more. When I met the leaders of Adventure Canada at a travel conference a few years ago and learned of their expedition cruises into the far north, I knew I wanted to travel with them some day. That opportunity is now coming, as Nature Forward plans a trip with them in August 2025. The trip begins in northern Greenland and travels west into Arctic Canada, all the way into the Northwest Passage, an itinerary that I can’t wait to experience.

While our travelers will not be the only ones on the ship, Adventure Canada has planned some special meetings and activities solely for our group, and our meals will all be taken together. And for those of us with an aversion to classical cruising, it’s comforting to know that our ship carries a maximum of 198 passengers plus crew. Big enough to provide a stable, safe ride with a variety of experiences, but no casinos, no stage shows, no hoopla, just a concerted focus on natural history.

I hope you’ll decide to join me on this exciting new travel program for Nature Forward.

With my best wishes,

Mark S. Garland