Seattle, Washington (July 9, 2024) – Nationwide Audubon Society, a pacesetter in fowl conservation throughout the Americas, and HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), famend for its dedication to sustainable expedition cruising, are proud to announce an unique partnership that gives unparalleled journey experiences aligned with each entities’ conservation objectives. The collaboration launches with ten Audubon Voyages, chosen from HX’s in depth world choices, to counterpoint the understanding and appreciation of the locations birds want right now and tomorrow. With a historical past of main conscious expeditions to probably the most awe-inspiring locations on earth since 1896, HX is now the only real cruise journey supplier partnered with Audubon.
“Audubon’s conservation mission aligns properly with the hands-on and science-enriched operations of HX,” stated Dr. Chad Wilsey, chief scientist for the Nationwide Audubon Society. “HX employs industry-leading efforts in ecofriendly practices and a dedication to conservation throughout all their itineraries, together with necessary assist for group science actions onboard. By our partnership, we hope to interact extra individuals within the pressing combat to guard birds and the locations they want.”
HX’s Science & Education workforce partnered with Audubon to curate the inaugural Audubon Voyages from HX’s portfolio of expeditions in additional than 30 nations, all of which happen on small, custom-built ships. Whereas all HX adventures emphasize defending the locations they discover, all Audubon Voyages meet the next standards:
- Professional Steering: Every journey hosts a educated ornithologist or a workforce of native naturalist guides, making certain that vacationers achieve unmatched insights into fowl species and their behaviors.
- Numerous Habitats: The routes discover quite a lot of ecosystems, maximizing bird-watching alternatives of quite a few species.
- Alternatives to Encounter Uncommon Species: The itineraries supply distinctive probabilities to look at uncommon or endemic fowl species.
“At HX, we’re deeply dedicated to creating a constructive influence on the surroundings,” stated Dr. Verena Meraldi, HX’s Chief Scientist. “This partnership expands on our dedication to defending the wildlife and habitats we discover, using science, advocacy, training, and hands-on conservation.”
As a part of the settlement, Audubon members save an additional 10% on Audubon Voyages with HX and an additional 5% on all different cruises.
Audubon Voyages: 5 Itineraries, Ten Crusing
Kicking off the partnership, HX has unveiled the primary Audubon Voyages:
Antarctica
HX has led sustainable tourism in Antarctica since 2002. With its award-winning Science & Schooling program, HX forges partnerships with the scientific group. For the 2024/2025 season, HX plans to donate over 1,100 cabin nights to scientists and assist over 30 third-party analysis tasks.
In-Depth Antarctica & Patagonia Expedition Southbound
- Date: Oct. 20, 2024
- Highlight species: Andean Condor, Austral Pygmy Owl, Black-browed Albatross, Humboldt Penguin, Flying Steamer-Duck, Magellanic Penguin, Magellanic Diving-Petrel, Magellanic Woodpecker, Southern Large-Petrel
Antarctica & Falkland Expedition
- Date(s): Nov. 6 and Dec. 14, 2024
- Highlight species: Black-browed Albatross, Dolphin Gull, Falkland Steamer-Duck, Kelp Goose, King Penguin, Southern Rockhopper Penguin, Striated Caracara (“Johnny Rook”), Variable Hawk
Galápagos Islands
Leveraging unique permits, HX provides optimum wildlife and birdwatching alternatives – with probabilities to see the long-lasting Galápagos Big 15 – on this UNESCO World Heritage web site.
Nine of the Best Isles (Western and Northern Route)
- Date(s): Oct. 15 and Dec. 10, 2024
- Highlight species: American Flamingo, Blue-footed Booby, Pink-footed Booby, Nazca Booby, Brujo Flycatcher, Finch species (numerous), Flightless Cormorant, Galápagos Hawk, Galápagos Dove, Galápagos Mockingbird, Galápagos Penguin, Nice Frigatebird, Magnificent Frigatebird, Pink-footed Booby, Swallow-tailed Gull
In Darwin’s Footsteps (Eastern Route)
- Date: Nov. 6, 2024, Jan. 15 2025 and Feb. 12, 2025
- Highlight species: Blue-footed Booby, Brujo Flycatcher, Nice Frigatebird, Finch species (numerous), Galápagos Hawk, Galápagos Dove, Galápagos Mockingbird, Magnificent Frigatebird, Pink-footed Booby, Swallow-tailed Gull, Waved Albatross
Alaska
HX provides the explorer’s Alaska, crusing the place others don’t. Expeditions embody alternatives to see McKay’s Bunting, one of many world’s rarest birds, breeding solely on St. Matthew Island within the Bering Sea.
Alaska and British Columbia Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands (Southbound)
- Date(s): July 7, 2025 and Sept. 8, 2025
- Highlight species: Black-footed Albatross, Crested Auklet, Laysan Albatross, McKay’s Bunting, Pink-legged Kittiwake, Rhinoceros Auklet, Tufted Puffin, Diversified Thrush, Whiskered Auklet, Kittlitz’s Murrelet, Quick-tailed Albatross (uncommon). If in Nome for lengthy sufficient: Aleutian Tern, Japanese Yellow Wagtail, Rufous Hummingbird (Inside Passage portion/Glacier Bay).
HX will unveil further Audubon Voyages for 2025, constructing on the preliminary launch. Moreover, HX will announce a sequence of Audubon-hosted sailings, guided by high ornithologists chosen by Audubon. Trying forward, HX and Audubon plan to collaborate on joint conservation initiatives geared toward creating thriving environments for fowl populations worldwide.
Audubon Voyages can solely be booked by cellphone at +1888-645-7424.
To benefit from this particular supply, fowl lovers can join or renew their Audubon membership for $20 or extra. Each Audubon membership helps the Nationwide Audubon Society’s mission and important conservation work to guard birds.
To be taught extra about Audubon Voyages, please visit.
About HX
In 1896, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) set out on a journey of exploration from its homeland in Norway. Pushed by a ardour to find what lies past the horizon, they sailed within the wake of the pioneering seafarers who have been redrawing the world’s boundaries.
In the present day, HX is the main expedition cruise firm, taking friends to over 250 locations in additional than 30 nations worldwide. With onboard lectures and science facilities, HX is dedicated to making sure friends return house with a deep understanding and love of the locations they discover.
HX is on a mission to be the world’s most sustainable expedition firm. They led the {industry} by being the primary to ban heavy gasoline oil and single-use plastics. In 2019, HX unveiled the world’s first battery hybrid-powered cruise ship.
About Nationwide Audubon Society
The Nationwide Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation group that protects birds and the locations they want right now and tomorrow.
Birds act as early warning programs concerning the well being of our surroundings, and they’re telling us that our planet is in hassle. As a long-time chief within the conservation motion, Audubon is rising to satisfy the urgency of this second. Just like the birds we love, Audubon’s work spans the Americas – from Boreal Canada to coastal Chile.
In communities throughout the hemisphere, Audubon is tackling local weather change, defending and restoring necessary locations for birds and folks, and fostering a group the place the enjoyment of birds sparks motion for our planet.
Media Contacts:
Audubon – media@audubon.org
HX – Becca Singelenberg, becca.singelenberg@hurtigruten.com