Giving Back
Giving back
Supporting the Communities That Support Us
We couldn’t do what we do without the support of the people, communities and organizations that share our love for the polar regions, and the many partners that are committed to keeping these pristine environments healthy and flourishing. So, we are committed to giving back, whenever and wherever our adventures take us. Our initiatives range from local clean-up events to youth education, scholarship, and intern programs; from a commitment to supporting regional businesses, local guides, and cultural exchange partners to providing financial support to at-risk community members through donations and fund-raising.
Here are some of the local programs we initiated or actively participate in:
Cultural Exchange With Inuit Communities
With a goal of increased understanding between cultures, we often coordinate with communities and their members, who organize intimate cultural events, demonstrations, and home visits, where tea, sweets, and a bit of local lore are shared.
Career Studies With Universidad de Tierra del Fuego
In this post-degree program in development with Polar Latitudes Expeditions, students will have an opportunity to apprentice aboard our ships, where they’ll learn about career opportunities in the polar cruise industry.
Beach Clean-Up in Ushuaia
Our ground team works with civic organizations in regularly scheduled clean-up efforts on local beaches, one of the many ways we participate in local efforts to serve the community.
Ship Visits
We organize ship visits for a number of local groups, ranging from primary and secondary school students to local authorities, with presentations tailored to their educational needs, career aspirations, and political support.
Supporting Rinconcito del Fin de Mundo de Ayuda y Contención
We offer support to local women in need, through a range of initiatives, including local events and onboard auctions and raffles to raise money for clothing, food and school supplies for kids.
Middle School Challenge With Escuela Julio Verne
In this year-long competition, students competing in teams of two are tasked with creating a presentation that is Antarctica-themed, and judged for both its creativity and scientific insight. The winning team receives an internship on a voyage to Antarctica.
Ensuring a Brighter Future for Students and the Polar Regions
SOI (Students on Ice) is a Canadian nonprofit founded in 1999 that inspires young people through educational expeditions to Antarctica. These transformative journeys empower students to become informed leaders and advocates for a more sustainable future.
More than 4,500 students have participated to date, and many alumni now lead initiatives in business, science, education, and sustainability around the world.
Polar Latitudes Expeditions provides travel and logistical support to SOI students, and we encourage everyone interested in supporting this important cause to learn more at soifoundation.org.
Organizations we support
Nonprofits Protecting the Polar Regions
Learn more about the many non-profit organizations we support throughout the Antarctic and Arctic regions, and if one of them touches your heart, consider supporting their efforts.
The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust exists to preserve, enhance and promote British Antarctic heritage to engage, inform and inspire a global audience by caring for and conserving historic buildings and artifacts in Antarctica.
Learn more at ukaht.org.
Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) is the leading global charity dedicated to the protection of whales and dolphins. Their goals are to end captivity, stop whaling, create healthy seas, and prevent deaths in fishing gear.
Learn more at uk.whales.org.
Through research and conservation projects, campaigns, environmental education, and involvement in a range of important international committees, OceanCare undertakes concrete steps to improve the situation for wildlife in the world’s oceans.
Learn more at oceancare.org.
The South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) was established to support two primary purposes, to conserve and protect indigenous fauna and flora, and to assist efforts to preserve the historical heritage of South Georgia.
Learn more at sght.org.
Scott Polar Research Institute’s mission is to enhance the understanding of the polar regions through research, education, caring for and making accessible its collections, and projecting the history and environmental significance of the polar regions to the wider community.
Learn more at spri.cam.ac.uk.
Better Blue’s mission is to solve problems in marine ecosystems by combining the efforts of private, public and third sectors. Its projects range from protecting dolphins and whales in aquariums, to reducing plastic waste in the oceans
Learn more at betterblue.net.
Since 2007, Blue Ribbon has been one of China’s leading marine conservation nonprofit organizations devoted to marine conservation education, litter management, resource protection and ecological restoration.
Plastic Change is an environmental organization that focuses on the effects of plastic pollution and consumption of single-use plastics. They have contributed greatly in getting this on the political and public agenda, partly through their accreditation to the UN Environment Assembly.
Learn more at plasticchange.dk.
One of the biggest threats faced by the albatross and other sea birds are longline fishing hooks, set into the water with fishing bait which they try to grab, getting dragged under and drowned. The solution provided by Hookpod covers reusable baited hooks and stops birds from getting caught in them. An effective, economic, and easy-to-use way to protect seabirds and sea turtles.
Learn more about Hookpod at hookpod.com
Ocean Youth Academy’s mission is to provide a sustainable model of education that connects youth with the ocean and the wonders of our natural world. Our ocean science curriculum incorporates nationwide science standards to give students the opportunity to learn about, connect with, and conserve our planet’s oceans.
Learn more at oceanyouthacademy.org.
The Foundation exists to conserve the historic huts in Antarctica of the first truly Scientific mission to Antarctica by Sir Douglas Mawson. In addition the aim is to inspire and educate children and young adults about the Antarctic sciences.
Learn more at mawsons-huts.org.au.
To overcome the growing problem of sea transported garbage in the Arctic, which has a significant negative impact on the wildlife, we are part of the joint initiative ‘Clean Up Svalbard’, together with other AECO members and local organizations. It is an initiative that aims to remove the waste from the beaches in Svalbard every summer through dedicated cleanup trips.
Learn more at aeco.no/guideline/guidelines-for-guests/cleanup-guidelines.
We support and collaborate with AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators), an international association for cruise ship expeditions in the Arctic. AECO is committed to strengthening responsible, environmentally friendly, and safe tourism in the Arctic and strives to set the highest possible operational standards. In addition to the membership fee, our support to AECO extends to each guest we send to the Arctic. See AECO’s film about responsible tourism in the Arctic by visiting their website.
Learn more at aeco.no/.
Join Us!
Ready to join us on board in supporting these amazing organizations working to protect the polar regions?