40 Tons of Delight: The Great Gray Whale, Part 2
2020-04-09 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
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Cetacean specialists Annie Van Dinther and Sofia Merino love taking Nat Hab guests for close encounters with huge, gentle gray whales in the lagoons of Baja’s Pacific coast each winter. This second installment of their three-part series looks at the gray whale’s time in Mexico, where they migrate annually to warm, sheltered bays to breed and birth their calves. Learn about whale mating and infant care as Annie and Sofia share stories from San Ignacio Lagoon accompanied by extraordinary photos that show just how near we sometimes get to inquisitive mothers and babies.

Madagascar: A Journey to the Eighth Continent
2020-04-10 15:00 - 16:00
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You thought Earth had just seven continents? Madagascar is often referred to as the “eighth,” given its utterly unique biodiversity, with species that developed wholly in isolation once Madagascar broke away some 100 millions years ago from what would become Africa and India. Expedition Leader Matt Meyer and Richard de Gouveia introduce the unusual animals and plants of the world’s fourth largest island, more than 80% of which are found nowhere else. Most famous are lemurs, with more than 100 different varieties of this charming, primitive primate found throughout the country’s diverse habitats. Conservation travel is crucial to preserving the dwindling forests that shelter so many of Madagascar’s critically endangered species, and you’ll learn about the difference that responsible tourism makes in protecting these essential landscapes.

Madagascar: The Wonders of the Eighth Continent
2020-04-13 12:00 - 14:00
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We’ve created an exclusive opportunity – just for our trusted travel advisors – to learn more about the world’s most enticing nature destinations. Join us each Monday at 10 AM Mountain Time for The Nature Advisor, our new weekly webinar program. In each 30-minute session, one of our Nat Hab Expedition Leaders, drawn from our team of 150 naturalist guides worldwide, will take you on a virtual journey to a favorite wild destination, sharing riveting images and personal stories, with time for your questions at the end. In the process, you’ll learn about the important role of conservation travel in protecting at-risk habitats and wildlife, as we explore the importance of our impact as travelers on supporting local communities.
On April 13, join us for Madagascar: Wonders of the Eighth Continent, hosted by naturalist guide Court Whelan, Ph.D. With his own gallery of stunning images, Court will share firsthand stories from Madagascar – a biological treasure trove in the Indian Ocean where more than 85% of species are found nowhere else.
And if you can’t join us live, we’ll post the webinars online for you to view any time.

Crossing Africa’s Okavango Delta on Foot
2020-04-13 15:00 - 16:00
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Join Anthony Bennett for engrossing tales from his 80-mile walking safari in the Botswana wilderness. Anthony and three fellow safari guides made this self-supported trek over six days, carrying heavy packs and rifles, and wild-camping at impromptu locations each night. Their cross-country journey took them across private wildlife concessions in northern Botswana’s Linyanti ecosystem, filled with lions, hippos, elephant, rhino and Cape buffalo. The 2006 walk was a fundraiser for Children in the Wilderness, an environmental education program to bring children from rural communities into wilderness areas to meet and learn about wildlife. Anthony and his colleagues reprised the walk in 2007 and 2008, both times with guests. You’ll revel in Anthony’s stories – but the lasting importance of this dramatic undertaking is what it accomplished for local kids: by coming to know and appreciate wild creatures in one’s natural surroundings, the seeds of caring and conservation take hold in a future generation.

Why I Love Recoveries
2020-04-14 13:00 - 14:00
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As intimidating as a crisis can be, it is inevitably followed by recovery. And in that recovery, we look for two things: the new road and the heroes who paved the way. The heroes today are travel advisors; and the path forward that now more than ever goes through sustainable tourism and Artificial Intelligence.
Join Ashish Sanghrajka, for this timely webinar about our changing landscape and the new tools such as Big Five’s GIB 5.0 available to you.

Southern Porches – Tour of the Low Country
2020-04-14 14:00 - 14:30
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Sunset, seafood and sunshine are center stage during the new ‘Southern Porches’ tour of the Low Country with visits to Charleston and Beaufort, SC and Savannah, GA. Each evening, enjoy sunsets from “porches” overlooking the unique waterways and marshes of the Low Country! Experience Antebellum mansions, unique Gullah Geechee cultures, conquistadors, carriage rides, beach combing, bird watching, boating and more during this truly unique, carefree and unhurried tour.

Photography Lessons for African Safaris
2020-04-14 15:00 - 16:00
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Africa offers exciting photography opportunities, with big skies, big animals and big adventure. Getting stunning images on safari is a bucket-list dream for any nature photographer. Join Court Whelan for a primer on the specialized photography knowledge you need to capture safari images you’ll be thrilled with. Explore techniques for perfecting wildlife focus and portraiture, understand the elements of African landscape photography, learn about challenges you can expect, such as how to stabilize your camera, and get tips on camera gear that will maximize the quality of your images.

Who’s the Best Bear in the World?
2020-04-15 15:00 - 16:00
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These Expedition Leaders are passionate about bears – and each will make the case for why the bear species they represent should win our Best Bear in the World contest! The four contenders are the polar bear, brown bear, panda bear and sun bear. Enjoy learning fascinating facts about each bear species as our team of naturalist guides makes the case for their intelligence, strength, adaptability and environmental value. And you, our webinar watchers, will determine which bear comes out on top! By the way, these are four of eight bear species worldwide – props if you can name the other four! (You can always ask our presenters during the Q&A.)

40 Tons of Delight: The Great Gray Whale, Part 3
2020-04-16 15:00 - 16:00
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In the third and final installment of this series on gray whales, Annie and Sofia follow the whales’ spring journey north to Alaska, where they spend the summer feeding in the Bering Sea. Males are the first to leave the sheltered lagoons of Baja’s Pacific coast, followed by the mothers and babies who spend a few extra weeks getting ready for the 5,000-mile-plus journey. Learn about the whales’ feeding ecology, how their food supply is being impacted by climate change, and hear the results of current research that offers insight into the behavior and well-being of different gray whale populations. And to pique your interest further: Annie and Sofia will also discuss what coronavirus has to do with gray whales. Tune in to find out!

Antarctica vs. the Arctic: A Tale of Two Poles
2020-04-17 15:00 - 16:00
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Expedition Leader Colby Brokvist has been to the ends of the earth – or just about – multiple times, and there’s no one better placed to contrast the unique elements of the planet’s most northerly and southerly climes. Weaving in tales of his polar exploits with Nat Hab, Colby will explore questions like these: How are the world’s polar regions similar and different? What are the unique, charismatic wildlife species of each, and how are these animals able to thrive in such daunting environs? Why are polar regions important to the rest of the world? What sort of conservation efforts are helping to protect polar ecosystems? So come north…come south! And come away not just with a whole bunch of new knowledge, but with an enhanced sense of wonder, too.

Churchill, Manitoba: Borealis, Belugas and Bears
2020-04-20 12:00 - 13:00
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Join us to learn more about the natural wonders of Churchill during three distinct seasons. Veteran Expedition Leader Annie Van Dinther will share nature and wildlife images and firsthand stories from Churchill— a frontier town of a thousand people on the edge of Hudson Bay. Churchill is best known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” But few know it’s also one of the best places to see the aurora borealis in winter, or that hundreds of amiable beluga whales swim up the Churchill River each summer. Annie will also talk about some of Churchill’s intriguing residents, from dog mushers to indigenous storytellers. And if you can’t join us live, we’ll post the webinars online for you to view any time.

Nature Photography in Polar Regions
2020-04-20 15:00 - 16:00
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Whether you’re headed to the Arctic or Antarctica, Earth’s polar realms offer some of the world’s most expansive and exhilarating photo opportunities. Polar photography includes unique considerations and challenges, and Court Whelan is here to guide you through them. While these austere landscapes can yield incredibly alluring images, lighting can be tricky. Yet at the same time, the polar regions have some of the best light conditions in the world, if you know how to harness it properly. In the Arctic, shooting white animals (think polar bears, Arctic fox and ptarmigan) against white snow also requires particular know-how. Come away with all sorts of tips and tricks from Court, which will set you up to come home from the ends of the Earth with world-class photos.

Passion Play Update and Planning for the Future
2020-04-21 14:00 - 14:30
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Find out latest news from Oberammergau and what Ed-Ventures is doing to plan for the FUTURE.
We’ve been busy working hard for you and your groups to Germany and we have great news to share. Challenges are ongoing, but we are working the problem and there will be a future in which travel will again be a dream you CAN achieve! Join us and learn more about the Passion Play and what lies ahead.

Selling Safaris in the Time of Staying Home
2020-04-22 13:00 - 14:00
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You are invited to join Liz Crookston of Bush and Beyond to learn why she believes African safaris will be the “vacation of choice” after our time of self isolation & social distancing.
We are living in challenging times and particularly for the travel industry, however, Liz chooses to view this as an opportunity & during this presentation she will show you how to capitalize on it.
During our webinar you’ll learn about:
— Unique ways to sell safaris & engage your clients during this time of Covid 19
— Free & relevant marketing content that you can use to excite & inspire your clients
— Opportunities to educate yourself and learn more about Africa & safaris
This webinar will be jam packed with tips, ideas and ways to sell African safaris and to engage & captivate your clients. Plus, Liz will make sure you have some fun and learn a few things along the way.

Meet Borneo’s Sun Bears & the Hero Saving Them from Extinction
2020-04-22 15:00 - 16:00
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Native only to the island of Borneo, the cute, fuzzy sun bear is the smallest of the world’s eight bear species. It’s facing big struggles from tropical forest loss, illegal hunting for bear parts, and poaching to obtain cubs for pet trade. But one man — Dr. Wong Siew Te – has almost single-handedly kept the sun bear from going extinct in the wild, dedicating his life to their protection…and he joins us for today’s webinar live from Borneo! Expedition Leader Brad Josephs introduces Wong, a personal hero and friend whom he calls “perhaps the world’s most dedicated and passionate conservationist.” We’ll hear the story of how Wong established the Borean Sun Bear Conservation Center, which has helped realize his dream of releasing rehabilitated sun bears into the wild. While you may never even have heard of a sun bear before, after hearing from Wong, you’ll never forget them.

Ultra-Luxe Journeys to the Adriatic Coast - Croatia and Montenegro with Blue Parallel
2020-04-23 13:00 - 13:30
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We invite you to join Blue Parallel’s Croatia & Montenegro experts for a journey along the Adriatic Coast. Our custom-made experiences in the Mediterranean focus on cultural heritage, outdoor adventures and exclusive insider-access.
In Split, Croatia’s second largest city, witness the captivating blend of Roman, Gothic and Renaissance styles at Diocletian’s Palace. Later, explore the spectacular Blue Grotto, Modra Špilja, continuing along the Dalmatian Islands to stop near hidden coves and idyllic beaches before spending the evening in Hvar. From Korčula, venture on to Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, where you’ll have the opportunity to kayak near its medieval walls. Lastly, we’ll take you through the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro where you will be pampered at the unparalleled Aman Sveti Stefan.
We look forward to having you with us on this 20-minute webinar. There will be a live Q&A session after the presentation.
If you can’t make it at the scheduled time, please register to receive a recording of the webinar for future reference.

Bears, Belugas & Bright Nights: Churchill Through the Seasons
2020-04-23 15:00 - 16:00
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For a tiny little frontier town inaccessible by road on the edge of Canada’s Hudson Bay, Churchill sure has a lot to offer nature lovers through the year. Join veteran Churchill guide Annie Van Dinther for a virtual journey over the tundra, into the taiga, and to the mouth of the Churchill River as we discover Churchill in the fall, winter and summer. (We take a hiatus from April to June…mud season!). Renowned as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, Churchill is best known for its autumn polar bear encounters. Once the bay freezes and the bears head onto the ice to hunt, we return in winter to search for the northern lights—Churchill offers some of the best aurora-viewing on the planet! And when the summer sun warms the coastal plain, the tundra bursts with wildflowers, beluga whales congregate by the hundreds, and polar bears and other Arctic wildlife roam freely.

Mexico’s Gentle Giants: Protecting Humpback Whales
2020-04-24 15:00 - 16:00
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Mexican Expedition Leader team Astrid and Karel call Puerto Vallarta home…and they’re here to introduce you to their offshore neighbors, the humpback whales of Banderas Bay. These energetic whales often feed in large groups and are among the most vocal cetaceans, known for their exuberant “singing.” Fifty feet long and weighing up to 40 tons, they put on quite a show when they breach — leaping completely out of the water and landing with a mighty crash. But despite their size, they aren’t impervious to threats, including entanglement in fishing gear. Learn all about Mexico’s humpbacks with Astrid and Karel, who fill us in on efforts to protect them in Banderas Bay, as well as current research and conservation work on the humpbacks’ behalf.

Yellowstone: 25 Years after the Return of the Gray Wolf
2020-04-27 12:00 - 13:00
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In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park after decades of absence, having been eradicated from the park in 1926. In the years since their return, they’ve grown to flourish in their native habitat, restoring balance to local ecosystems and captivating visitors who come to view them in the wild. Aaron will fill us in on a quarter-century of conservation success, highlighting what’s been achieved and the challenges that remain. Join us to learn more about the wolves of Yellowstone, and why the park offers the world’s best chance to spot this icon of wilderness in its native ecosystem And if you can’t join us live, we’ll post the webinars online for you to view any time.

Mountain Gorillas on the Rise: A Conservation Success Story
2020-04-27 15:00 - 16:00
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The world’s mountain gorilla population has increased from approximately 250 to more than 1,000 in the last 50 years due to heroic conservation efforts largely funded by tourism. The mountain gorilla, which lives in the forested mountains of East Africa, is the only great ape species with a growing population— a true sign of conservation success. However, has mountain gorilla conservation been too successful? What does their increasing population mean in such a restricted range? Do we have to worry about inbreeding? Expedition Leader Mark Jordahl will discuss these important questions and more during this webinar on the still-endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda. He will also talk about the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these close cousins of ours, and why conservation efforts need to be intimately tied to public health and economic development in the communities surrounding the gorilla parks, in order to ensure their future survival.

Our Own Stimulus Program for Travel Advisors
2020-04-28 13:00 - 14:00
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Join Dan Austin, founder of active travel company Austin Adventures, as he shares a quick overview of Austin Adventures and how they are taking aggressive steps to help you, the Travel Professional, NOW!
After seeing how hard agents have been working through the current “situation” Austin Adventures is determined to make a difference and help those that continue to support Austin Adventures. There will be a bounce in travel (Domestic) and we want to be ready to work side by side with our agent partners.
In this short webinar learn firsthand from CEO/Founder Dan Austin:
• Overview of Austin Adventures
• Top Ten Domestic Adventures
• Agent Stimulus Program (immediate relief)
• Hosted Departures for you and your followers
• Robust Q&A (everything on the table)
We want you to know that we are in this together.

Rebuilding and Re-Branding - The Road to Recovery for Group Travel
2020-04-28 14:00 - 14:30
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The dust will slowly settle following the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scars will linger for quite some time. The tourism industry will undoubtedly resume, but the metric has changed. What will the face of group tourism look like in 2021? How can we minimize the financial devastation of 2020? What will travelers be comfortable in participating? How do you market and sell to the fearful consumer?
MARS has a plan in anticipation of this new reality of group travel and how we will play a supporting role in facilitating our partners’ future success. This webinar will focus on breaking the isolation and capturing the community’s inevitable desire to re-connect, experience, and engage, in order to rebuild and re-brand the group travel industry.

Nature Photography in Tropical Destinations
2020-04-28 15:00 - 16:00
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Tropical environments hold extraordinary biodiversity, with a plethora of diverse and spectacular wildlife subjects from towering elephants to agile orangutans to tiny yet highly photogenic insects like monarch butterflies and leaf-cutter ants. To capture this astounding range requires a diversity of shot settings and techniques to maximize your photography capabilities. The diversity of wildlife in the tropics is matched by the diversity of landscapes, and you’ll learn how to deal with everything from lighting challenges in shadowy rain forest to intense overhead sun. Join Court Whelan for an engaging tutorial on how to capture some of the planet’s most captivating wild spaces and their intriguing animal inhabitants.

LIVE with Sven and Ben
2020-04-29 15:00 - 16:00
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Please join us for a live chat with Sven Lindblad, founder and CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, and Ben Bressler, founder and president of Natural Habitat Adventures. These two adventure travel pioneers will discuss the companies they have built, the impact of Covid-19 on their operations, their thoughts on the future of exploring nature through travel, and how travel can be a force for good in the world. Plenty of time will be allotted for a lively Q&A session, too, so plan to ask anything you’re wondering about.

Take a Food Journey to Greece
2020-04-30 13:00 - 14:00
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Celestyal Cruises proudly presents: “Take a Food Journey to Greece” with our special guest speaker, Diane Kochilas.
Food and travel go hand in hand, as we know. Experiencing a region’s cuisine is often one of the key reasons why we travel and explore. Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean are no exception to this rule as this region is blessed with an abundance of mouth-watering delicacies. The Mediterranean diet and Greek food in particular are known to be extremely healthy and tasty. During this live webinar we will explore why this is as well as how important of a role food plays in the Greek culture and society overall. We will also make a virtual voyage to Ikaria, the Blue Zone island Diane hails from. Is the local diet the reason why Ikaria has such a disproportionately large number of centenarians? Join us and you may just find out the secret to a long and healthy life.
Diane Kochilas is one of the world’s foremost experts on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. She is the host, creator and co-producer of My Greek Table, the award-winning cooking-travel show about Greece that airs nationally on Public Television. The show is in its third season, with the newest series airing in May. Diane is an award-winning author of more than 18 books and runs the Glorious Greek Kitchen on Ikaria Cooking School every spring and fall on the island. She has been on the forefront of bringing healthy Greek and Mediterranean cuisine to an American audience for more than 25 years. As we call Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean our home, Celestyal Cruises and our kitchen crew are proud and excited to be working with Diane in a collaboration that will further enhance the all- inclusive experience we deliver.
Prize Give Away: One lucky attendee will win a 7 Night Greek Island Cruise and two other’s will win a copy of of Diane’s Cookbook!

Snow Leopards & Wildlife of the Himalayas
2020-04-30 15:00 - 16:00
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In the austere heights of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, an elusive feline thrives among the rocks and snowfields. Local people call the snow leopard the “ghost of the mountains,” an apt moniker for this large cat that moves stealthily through the barren terrain, camouflaged by its thick silver coat marked with black rosettes. Brad Josephs highlights the crucial role of conservation-focused tourism in sustaining the snow leopard population in northern India. He also introduces us to other charismatic Himalayan wildlife including the Tibetan wolf, Pallas cat, chiru (Tibetan antelope), wild yak and lammergeier (an Old World vulture with a 10-foot wingspan).

The Grizzlies of Yellowstone: A Conservation Triumph
2020-05-01 15:00 - 16:00
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Rocky Mountain naturalist guide Aaron Bott shares the inspiring story of the grizzly bear’s revival in Yellowstone. Exterminated throughout most of the American West in the 19th and early 20th centuries, grizzlies had nearly vanished from their native range. By the mid-1900s, only a couple of small populations remained in Yellowstone and Glacier national parks. In 1975, however, grizzlies received protection under the Endangered Species Act and their fate began to reverse. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts since, grizzly bear populations have been expanding, and the ongoing grizzly recovery program is now considered one of the world’s great conservation stories. Aaron shares this riveting narrative, with insight into all that’s been accomplished and what is still at stake for grizzlies in the Lower 48.

Uganda: More Than Just Mountain Gorillas
2020-05-04 12:00 - 13:00
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I’m excited to introduce you to Mark, who has guided many safari guests into the rain forest-cloaked mountains of Uganda for face-to-face visits with mountain gorillas. The gorillas are a powerful draw for visitors to Uganda, there’s no question that spending an hour with these close cousins of ours can be a life-changing encounter.
But there’s so much more to see inside this small country! Within Uganda’s borders we find the source of the Nile River, the glacier-capped Mountains of the Moon, the world’s most powerful waterfall, abundant savanna wildlife, tree-climbing lions, one-tenth of all Africa bird species, and more ethnic diversity than any other country on the planet. Join Mark for a virtual visit with the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, plus four more Ugandan national parks that deserve much more recognition. You’ll learn why Uganda offers safari-goers a microcosm of the best of East Africa!

Riding for Rhinos: Where the Rubber Meets the Road for Rhino Conservation
2020-05-04 15:00 - 16:00
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How far will a South African conservationist go to help protect endangered rhinos? In 2017, over the course of 63 days and 2,008 miles, Expedition Leader Matt Meyer rode his bicycle through Washington, Oregon and California with a rhino statue in tow to raise awareness of the plight of these imperiled animals in Southern Africa. Along the way, he raised over $150,000 to support Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia, and Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary in South Africa. The large rhino he was towing drew attention everywhere he went, and he had many opportunities to educate people about rhino conservation at schools, in communities and through live interviews on TV, radio and podcasts. In addition to sharing the story of his ride, Matt offers insight into the biology, behaviors and family dynamics of black and white rhinos in Africa.

TAP into Balloon Fiesta and Pueblo Cultural Tour
2020-05-05 14:00 - 14:30
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Enjoy the rich, diverse and vibrant cultures of New Mexico as you experience one of the greatest visual spectacles on earth. During this 6 day journey, you will not only be thrilled by the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, you will also be touched by the enduring Pueblo Cultures that have existed for centuries and continue to thrive today. It is truly a Land of Enchantment!
