Wilderness Resource Library

"Learning is not compulsory...neither is survival."
— W. Edwards Deming

BWI's Resource Library is designed to point you in the direction of various information resources on wilderness survival, wilderness navigation, GPS, and wilderness travel in the northern hemisphere. The web is an information based media and finding the right trustable resources can be hard. Quality of information can be of more importance than quantity. These wilderness related resources are broken down into various categories and contain resources both within and outside boreal.net. BWI hopes these resources lead you to the information about the Wilderness that you are seeking. This interest we hope will also spark within you the want to travel more often and deeper into the northern wilderness.

Survival Resources

Survival and Cold Weather Research Articles

The Boreal Wilderness Institute is please to offer you a large library of current Wilderness Survival Research Articles, Survival Stories, and Cold Weather Survival Research Articles. We are continually looking for better ways to share information and skills with our clients. We hope these articles will help keep people alive in the wilderness…Survival and Cold Weather Research Articles.

Wilderness Survival Training

Modern Wilderness Survival Training is basic simple wilderness survival training designed to keep you alive when temporarily trapped in the wilderness. It is a solid component of a proper Wilderness Travel Safety Programme and can help to eliminate most potentially life threatening wilderness survival situations. These resources are related to Wilderness Living and Modern Wilderness Survival Training…Wilderness Survival Training Resource Page.

Wilderness Instructor Development

The Boreal Wilderness Institutes Instructor Development Programme points you in the right direction to become a Professional Wilderness Instructor. To become a professional instructor you need to take the best training possible. These resources are related to Wilderness Instructor Development Resources and BWI's Instructor Development Programme…Instructor Development Resource Page.

Primitive Living Survival Training

Primitive Living, Bushcraft and Primitive Survival Techniques are often mixed together by many potential survival students. All three areas of study are different. Primitive Living is nearly impossible to practice in North America. These resources are related to primitive wilderness living skills, techniques, and primitive living survival training schools…Primitive Living Survival Training Resource Page.

Arctic & Antarctic Research

Arctic and Antarctic research is fundamental to cold weather travel research. The Arctic is a harsh survival environment requiring thorough research, planning, and preparation. High winds, cold temperatures, and low humidity are just some of the challenges of living in these regions. These resources are related to arctic research, antarctic research, sub-arctic survival training, and arctic survival training…Arctic & Antarctic Research Resource Page.

Cold Weather Research

Those who travel in the cold should have an excellent knowledge of cold weather injuries. Everyone should have a basis knowledge of cold weather injury prevention and any guide, instructor, or group leader excellent Wilderness First Aid Training. These resources are related to cold weather research, cold injuries, and safe winter travel…Cold Weather Research Resource Page.

Wilderness First Aid Training

Wilderness First Aid Training is a fundamental wilderness trekking and survival skill. Any type of first aid training can be a life saving skill, but Wilderness First Aid Training teaches you what to do when you are beyond the one hour to hospital tether. These resources are related to wilderness first aid training and safe wilderness travel…Wilderness First Aid Training Resource Page.

Navigation & Wilderness Travel Resources

Wilderness Navigation & Orienteering

Resources related to Wilderness Navigation Training and Orienteering. Included here are our Romers and Routecards which are available for download at no charge. Wilderness Navigation is an important part of any Wilderness Travel Safety Programme and is a core Outdoor Education skill…Wilderness Navigation & Orienteering Resource Page.

Global Positioning System

GPS Receivers are an excellent navigation tool. These excellent navigation tools help us to quickly find our position, avoid backtracking, and help to stop us from becoming lost. Many corporations produced GPS devices and receivers for many purposes. These resources are related to the Global Positioning System, GPS Receivers, and GPS Training…Global Positioning System Resource Page.

Backpacking & Day Hiking

Backpacking and Day Hiking is a great way to get the skills and confidence necessary to start traveling farther into the backcountry. Before your go; research what gear you need, break in your boots by hiking around your community. These resources will help you on your journey and are related to backpacking, trekking, day hiking, and safe wilderness travel…Backpacking & Day Hiking Resource Page.

Canoeing & Watersports

Travel by Canoe is part of the Canadian Heritage. To travel safely upon the vast waterways of Canada you will need a knowledge of trip planning, route selection, menu building, nutrition, and equipment. You will need to understand and practice the basic canoe tripping travel skills before you begin your journey. These resources are related to canoeing, canoe tripping, watersports, and safe wilderness travel…Canoeing & Watersport Resource Page.

Avalanche Awareness

Avalanche Awareness is a must for safe travel in the any mountain range. Backcountry winter travel requires Avalanche Awareness training, diligence, and practice. These resources are related to avalanche awareness and safe mountain travel during winter. To travel through avalanche country you need an understanding of the snowpack along with basic route finding…Avalanche Awareness Resource Page.

Outdoor Training & Trek

Dozens of outdoor training and trekking companies exist in Canada and the USA. This is a small list of some of the most notable companies. Each has there own philosophy and specialities. These resources are related to the numerous Outdoor Training Companies, Outdoor Education Institutes, and Wilderness Trekking opportunities…Outdoor Training & Trek Resource Page.

Expedition Planning

In the past decade travel to increasingly remote areas of Canada's Wilderness has become common. Long term wilderness travel requires preparation. The chance of an extended stay should be considered during all phases of planning your trip. These resources are related to expedition planning, remote wilderness travel, and long term wilderness travel…Expedition Planning Resource Page.

Related Outdoor Research

Search and Rescue

Canadian SAR efforts are coordinated through the National Search and Rescue Secretariat. Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) is conducted under the authority of the individual provinces and territories within Canada. Resources related to Search and Rescue, SAR Organizations, SAR Teams, and SAR Training…Search and Rescue Resource Page.

Outdoor Club & Trail Organizations

Outdoor Clubs and Volunteer Trail Organizations are one of the few strong areas in the outdoor community. In spite of Boom, Bust, and Echo most clubs remain stable or have grown over the last few years. It takes dedicated individual to make a club grow. These resources are related to Outdoor Clubs and Volunteer Trail Organizations…Outdoor Club & Trail Organization Resource Page.

Outdoor Equipment Suppliers

The outdoor retail industry is a very tough business and small independent outdoor equipment suppliers come and go at an alarming rate. Margins on most items except clothing are very small. Please do your best to support North American producers of quality outdoor clothing, sleeping bags, backpacks, stoves, and equipment…Outdoor Equipment Supplier Resource Page.

Environmental Organizations & Groups

Environmental Organization both protect and nurture protection of our wilderness. They may also love an area to death. Over the last 25 years I have seen our wilderness in Alberta shrinking and been ripped apart by cutlines and roads. These resources are related to Environmental Organization and Environmental Groups…Environmental Organization & Group Resource Page.

Museum & Research Center

Canada's true heritage is our vast wilderness forests and waterways. Many Museums and Research Centers have displays related to Training conducted by BWI…Museum & Research Center Resource Page.