We believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. By working together with employees, guests, local communities, and other organizations that work in the polar regions, we strive to create a positive impact that goes beyond what we could do alone. From supporting community development projects to engaging with polar science and conservation, our collective efforts help us ensure that our operations are beneficial for all involved.

Goal: By 2025, Quark Expeditions will continue to lead change through community engagement and by supporting scientific, conservation and sustainable development in polar communities.

Why this matters

Addressing social issues such as diversity and inclusion, human rights, community engagement, and employee well-being ensures we foster a positive, ethical, and supportive environment. A strong social commitment promotes innovation through diverse perspectives and strengthens community relations, ultimately contributing to a more enriching experience.

Tundra to Table

Developed in partnership with Igapall, a non-profit Inuit food and cultural group, Quark Expeditions offers a unique Inuit culinary program, the only one of its kind globally. This initiative aims to deepen cultural appreciation and understanding of Inuit foods and traditions for our international guests. Rooted in the fundamental connection between food, culture, and the land in Inuit society, this program provides a rich and meaningful experience. Through meaningful interaction with the Inuit chefs, guests gain insight into the profound relationship between the Inuit people and their environment, fostering respect for nature and its preservation.

Our Arctic voyages are enriched by these culturally immersive experiences, made possible through collaboration with local partners. Leveraging the onboard facilities of Ultramarine, we provide regionally relevant programming that educates and connects guests with the areas they visit. These programs are offered to smaller groups to ensure high-quality delivery and facilitate lasting memories and friendships among participants and local guides.

The Tundra to Table program, led by Inuit Chefs Peter and Miki, has been particularly acclaimed by guests, with many citing it as a highlight of their voyage. This intimate dining experience allows for meaningful interaction with the chefs, and a majority of guests have the opportunity to participate in multiple seatings. This recognition underscores the success of our efforts to provide authentic and enriching experiences while supporting local communities and sustainable tourism initiatives.

Tundra to Table

 

Supporting Scientists and Researchers

Quark Expeditions actively supports researchers and conservationists by inviting them onboard our vessels and facilitating their access to remote areas of the Arctic and Antarctic. This enables them to conduct crucial fieldwork and gather invaluable data. These collaborations not only advance scientific understanding but also enrich the experience of our guests, making them active participants in the preservation of the polar ecosystems.

Our Partners

Penguin Watch Tom Hart working with camera

Penguin Watch

Our partnership with Penguin Watch arose 14 years ago from the fact that many of the Quark naturalists had more local knowledge on the timing of penguin breeding and success than was being captured by science programs. The goal is to understand penguins and their ecology in a changing world and use this knowledge to propose practical solutions for penguin conservation.  

During the 2023/24 season, members of the Penguin Watch team traveled onboard World Explorer to conduct a wealth of science, including collecting camera memory cards, sampling guano, and capturing drone surveys.  

Seabird Watch

Seabird Watch

Seabird Watch was born out of the success of Penguin Watch – seeing if the success from the Antarctic could be replicated for the flying seabirds of the Palearctic. Seabird Watch now boasts a comprehensive monitoring network of researchers covering kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, and terns.  

During the 2024 season, members of the Seabird Watch team traveled onboard Ocean Adventurer to change cameras and capture drone surveys.

UK Antarctic Heritage Trust

UK Antarctic Heritage Trust

The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) is a not-for-profit that cares for six heritage sites on the Antarctic Peninsula and has most recently led the conservation management plan for the shipwreck of Shackleton’s Endurance. The organization’s flagship site, Port Lockroy, is a museum and post office. Each year, a conservation field team is deployed there to repair and care for the buildings, which hold incredible stories of scientific discovery and life in the extremes and are increasingly vulnerable to the weather and climate.  

During the 2022/23 season, Quark Expeditions collected the UKAHT team from their Antarctic base, Port Lockroy, at the end of the season in challenging and changeable conditions, with two Quark ships on standby to give them a lift home after a successful but tiring five-month season. This logistical help enables the UKAHT team to be on base to welcome visitors to the museum, shop, and post office, sharing the history of the base and their enthusiasm for all the historic sites.  

Our Guests’ Impact

During 2023, guests who traveled with Quark Expeditions contributed nearly $200,000 during onboard charitable auctions to polar conservation, science, and community development. By leveraging our guests’ deep connection with the polar regions, we build support for vital conservation projects that align with our vision for preserving these extraordinary environments.

Investing in Polar Research and Conservation

Dog from Working Dogs for Conservation

South Georgia Heritage Trust

The South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) has been instrumental in protecting the unique wildlife of South Georgia Island through its innovative rodent eradication program. Quark Expeditions proudly supported the initial project, which began with the goal of eliminating rodents, which had decimated populations of native birds like the South Georgia pipit and the South Georgia pintail. By 2018, the SGHT successfully declared the island rodent-free after a meticulous baiting campaign.

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) Biosecurity Dog Program was established to maintain this rodent-free status. Based in the Falkland Islands, the specially trained dogs and their handlers conduct searches on vessels and cargo bound for South Georgia. The program is vital in ensuring that bird populations on South Georgia can continue to recover in the absence of rodents.  

Snow HIll Island - Passenger & Penguins

Penguin Watch

Penguin Watch, an initiative dedicated to understanding penguin ecology in our rapidly changing world and developing practical conservation strategies. Their work has been pivotal in providing essential scientific data to support conservation efforts around the Antarctic Peninsula, Scotia Arc, the Falklands/Malvinas, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.

Penguin Watch’s research offers invaluable insights for policy-makers on areas sensitive to climate change, fishing, and human disturbance. The project also provides crucial advice to the Antarctic Treaty, IAATO, the UK, and the South Georgia Government. Thanks to the support of funds raised through guest auctions, Penguin Watch is making a significant impact on penguin conservation, protected areas, and visitor guidelines.

A guanaco, which is an animal closely related to the llama, stands on the grass in front of mountain peaks at Torres del Paine National Park.

Centro ICEA

Centro ICEA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the conservation of austral ecosystems’ biodiversity. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the organization generates knowledge and understanding of southern ecosystem by leading research projects, technological innovations, and educational outreach to protect these vital environments. Centro ICEA focuses on four key programs: education and transfer to tourism, research on southern ecosystems, management and governance of protected areas, and socio-ecological studies to support strategic decision-making.

Puffin leaning over rock ledge

Seabird Watch

Seabird Watch aims to overcome the significant technical challenges of studying seabird colonies on a large scale. Its comprehensive network allows it to monitor numerous colonies simultaneously. Combining this with rapid data analysis allows them to identify which threats are important and encourage policy makers to act. They were instrumental in starting the Gannet network to bring together monitoring of seabirds most affected by Avian Flu. Monitoring is vital for identifying long-term trends, and having baseline data is especially critical when threats like Avian Flu hit northern Europe.

Outreach and education for seabird conservation are top priorities for Seabird Watch. Their new zoom cameras monitoring seabird cliffs from further away are seeing some success, with five sites around Svalbard now with cameras. Guest’s generous support Seabird Watch team members’ travel to the Arctic and new timelapse cameras not just for Seabird Watch but for partners in Iceland, Kalaalliit Nunaat (Greenland), the Faroe Islands, and Canada.  

Ittoqqortooriit

Ittoqortoormiit Museum Refurbishment

Nestled along the breathtaking fjords of Scoresbysund, Ittoqqortoormiit holds a treasure trove of history and tradition dating back to ancient times. The museum, established by Ejnar Mikkelsen in 1924, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and discovery that defines this remote Arctic community.

Through immersive storytelling and modernized exhibitions, the refurbished museum will serve as a beacon of inspiration and knowledge for future generations. It will be a place where local kindergarten students and public school children can explore their roots, connect with their ancestors, and envision a future deeply rooted in their cultural identity.

Grise Fiord

Ilisaqsivik

Ilisaqsivik is an Inuit-led community-based organization located in Clyde River, Nunavut, dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Inuit communities. Established in 1997, Ilisaqsivik provides a range of culturally grounded programs and services in Inuktitut aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by Inuit people. Their initiatives are wide-ranging but have a common thread: increasing the well-being and personal potential of Nunavummiat.

One of Ilisaqsivik’s core offerings is its health and wellness programs, which are based on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) and Innuqatigiittiarniq (the healthy interconnection of mind, body, spirit, and the environment) as a path to healing. By integrating traditional Inuit knowledge and practices, Ilisaqsivik ensures that their services are both relevant and effective.

Nalunaiqsijiit Inuit Cruise Training Initiative

Nalunaiqsijiit, the Inuit Cruise Training Initiative, is a pioneering program designed to provide Inuit communities in Nunavut with skills and opportunities in the cruise tourism industry. This initiative aims to foster sustainable economic development by equipping local Inuit with the training necessary to participate in and benefit from the growing expedition cruise industry in their region. By focusing on culturally relevant training and practical skills, the program helps Inuit participants gain expertise in areas such as hospitality, guiding, and natural interpretation, ensuring that they can take on meaningful roles within the cruise sector.

Through partnerships with local communities, government agencies, and industry stakeholders, Nalunaiqsijiit supports the development of a robust, locally driven tourism workforce. This not only enhances the visitor experience by providing authentic cultural interactions but also ensures that economic benefits are retained within the community. The program emphasizes the importance of preserving and sharing Inuit culture, knowledge, and traditions with visitors, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Inuit way of life.

Quark Expeditions is an active participant in this program and hires interns to work and learn on voyages to Nunavut during the Arctic seasons. Many of those interns have been employed as expedition guides during subsequent seasons, both in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Community Engagement

To allow staff and passengers to come together with Northerners, Quark has organized friendly sporting events in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) and Nunavut.  

In Kalaallit Nunaat, soccer is the national sport, and it is popular with people of all ages in the communities we visit. During visits to Itilleq, Kalaallit Nunaat, soccer matches are held to promote friendly competition and cultural exchange. This event is beloved by locals, passengers, and staff alike, and we hope to hold similar events more frequently and in more communities in the future.

hockey in greenland

 

In Nunavut, hockey is the sport of choice. To replicate the success of our soccer matches, a ball hockey match was held in Arctic Bay, Nunavut, during the Arctic 2023 season. The event was well-attended by locals and particularly enjoyed by kids. As with our soccer events, we hope to grow this event and expand to new communities.  

Nunavut