JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY SHACKLETON NEWS

HERITAGE

Heritage Expeditions, New Zealand’s award winning Expedition Company, was established in 1985 by NZ Wildlife Officer Rodney Russ. The company runs Expeditions to the the Ross Sea including Franklin Island, McMurdo Bay and visit to Shackleton's Hut) and to the New Zealand Galapagos (embracing the sub-Antarctic islands south and east of New Zealand's South Island).

Heritage Expeditions aims to introduce more people so that more people can see and experience these remote, isolated environments and the birds and animals that breed there.

Rodney Russ, the company founder, worked for the New Zealand Wildlife Service (now Department of Conservation) as a biologist responsible for the management and conservation of rare and endangered bird species. His work took him the length and breadth of New Zealand and the Sub Antarctic Islands. He left the Wildlife Service after 12 years to further his studies at the University of Otago.

He has always been passionate about the urgency and importance of sharing the natural world with people, emphasising the need for advocacy in a successful conservation strategy. Heritage Expeditions was formed in 1985 to co-ordinate an increasing number of guiding and lecturing assignments.

Today the company regularly organises expeditions throughout New Zealand, the Sub Antarctic Islands and Antarctica. It is a family run business: eldest son Aaron works as zodiac driver/lecturer while completing his PhD studies in zoology; younger son Nathan, who is studying to be a chef at the Christchurch Institute of Food Technology, works on the ship as a chef.

The company has been at the forefront of developing what is now called “Ecotourism” or responsible tourism. It has been awarded the Air New Zealand Ecotourism Award, the New Zealand Tourism Board – Best Natural History Operator and highly commended in the British Airways – “Tourism for Tomorrow” Awards. Rodney has presented papers at international and domestic conferences on Ecotourism.

The company has put a lot of energy and money back into Conservation work in New Zealand. It funded a major research project into the distribution and abundance of the Fiordland Crested Penguin. It donated money for the purchase of some of the first radio tracking devices for Wandering Albatross work in the New Zealand Sub Antarctic Islands. They provide transport for researchers and equipment to the Sub Antarctic Islands for the Dept of Conservation and Universities and recently undertook to deploy a number of weather bouys in the southern ocean on behalf of the University of Washington and the New Zealand Metrological Service.

Recent Heritage Expeditions included In the Footsteps of Scott and Shackleton (2003); South to Antarctica - the Ross Sea (Jan-Feb 03) and two expeditions to the Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia (Nov-Dec03 and Feb-Mar 04).

'The Ross Sea region is the "Heart of Antarctica". It was the backdrop to the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and will always be the most historically interesting part of Antarctica. Borchgrevink's, Shackleton's and Scott’s huts stand as a monument to these and other great Antarctic Explorers. Visitors to Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds say they can feel the presence of "The Boss" when they enter his hut.

'The region is also a place of unparalleled opportunities:- A voyage to this part of Antarctica takes you across the Antarctic Circle and to within 780 miles of the South Pole, as far south as any ship can penetrate. Other highlights include the huge Adelie Penguin Colony (arguably the largest in the world) at Cape Adare, spectacular Cape Hallet, beautiful Coulman Island, the vast Ross Ice Shelf, Mount Erebus volcano, the scientific bases of McMurdo, Scott and Terra Nova. The wildlife includes emperor penguins, whales and seals.'

'By contrast, from South America Antarctica is much more accessible than from the Ross Sea, everything is much closer, meaning less time at sea and more time ashore with the wildlife. Because the Antarctic Peninsula is further north winter pack ice clears earlier allowing shipping access from November till March, giving you much greater flexibility with your travel plans.

'All departures feature the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Icy peaks fall straight to the sea, humpback whales feed among icebergs and countless penguins bustle about. With so much to see there are numerous opportunities for landings in the sheltered waters, in just a few days you experience a disproportionately large amount.'

The company has also organised and led expeditions to the Pacific, Asia, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula and the Arctic. Their goal in everything they do is to provide opportunities which enhance the travellers experience and understanding of the natural world.

Heritage Expeditions are led by experienced Southern Ocean naturalists who have devoted a lifetime to research in this region.