Western Arctic Research Centre, CA
Western Arctic Research Centre, CA
The Western Arctic Research Centre (WARC) is located in the town of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. WARC is operated by the Aurora Research Institute, the research division of Aurora College. The building is owned by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT).
Contribution to POLARIN key research challenges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Contact:
Website
WARC is located in the Beaufort Delta region of the Northwest Territories, in the western Canadian Arctic. WARC provides logistical support for research projects taking place throughout the northern NWT (including the archipelago) and along the northern Yukon coast. There are many protected areas in the vicinity of WARC, including bird sanctuaries, marine protected areas, and national and territorial parks.
Location
https://www.interact-gis.org/Home/Station/56
Facilities
The WARC facility includes a small and large conference room, three laboratories, a research library, a staging area/loading bay, a workshop, a walk-in fridge, and a walk-in freezer. In Fall 2025, WARC will open a new field operation facility. Located next to the main building, the field operation facility will include a garage, a workshop, a classroom, and warm and cold storage.
WARC accommodations are located a 10-minute walk from the main building, in a residential neighbourhood. The accommodations consist of four houses, each containing six beds, a living room, a kitchen, a full bathroom, and laundry facilities. During the summer seasons, additional dormitory-style accommodations are available at Aurora College. WARC can accommodate up to 38 people in the residential accommodations and up to 75 in the main facility at any given time.
Services offered
Visiting researchers have access to the large conference room, three state-of-the-art laboratories, the research library, the staging area/loading bay, cold and warm storage, workshop space, walk-in fridge and freezer space, and a wide variety of field equipment. WARC also has two research technicians that are fully trained in a wide variety of scientific equipment, including the operation of unmanned aerial systems. A complete list of the services WARC provides can be found here.
What is included in the Access
Unit of access: User/day
Modalities of Access: in-person access
Users will have full access to WARC. The typical duration of work is around 8 days. In advance of their work, users will submit a Logistical Support Request indicating what type of support they require and when. WARC will then integrate them into the schedule.
Availability for Access
See the table in the dedicated Transnational Access call page.
Time frame for access preparations
Logistical support is provided on a first come first serve basis. After access is granted, the station recommends submitting a Logistical Support Request form as soon as possible (at least 2 months before the fieldwork commences). The users should consult the station contact for the required access preparations.
Permits, licenses and training
Research that does not fall under the Wildlife or Archaeologist legislation requires a Scientific Research License in the NWT. The licensing process is administered by the Scientific Services Office at the GNWT ‘s Department of Education Culture and Employment. Applications for Scientific Research Licenses can be submitted through an online system. Additional permitting may be required, depending on where and what you are planning to study. GNWT’s “Doing Research in the Northwest Territories: A Guide for Researchers” can be found here.
Researchers must receive an orientation from a technician before using laboratory equipment. In order to access snowmobiles, outboard motors, and boat/motor sets, the users must have a valid operator’s license. Evidence of completion of a snowmobile safety course, or a Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card must be presented at the front desk before the equipment can be signed out. In order to rent, handle or store firearms at WARC, users must have a valid Possession and Acquisition License. This must be presented at the front desk before firearms will be signed out.
Medical guidelines
No medical examinations/health checks are required from the users.