** Project Summary ** The Arctic is warming faster than other parts of the world, causing sea ice to melt earlier each year. This affects wildlife, the climate, and the way people in Nunavut travel and hunt. One cause of this melting is that darker ocean water absorbs more heat than bright white ice. When sea ice disappears, the ocean warms even faster. To help reduce this warming, our team from Arctic Reflections is testing a method called Arctic Ice Thickening. The idea is simple: in winter, we pump seawater onto the ice surface, just like the way ice roads are constructed. The cold air freezes the water and makes the ice thicker. Thicker ice may last longer in the spring and summer, helping to prolong the sea ice cover.Our research will take place near Qikiqtarjuaq in winter 2026 and 2027. We want to find out:•Does the method work in Nunavut conditions?•How much does the ice actually thicken?•How long does the thicker ice last?•Does it affect local wildlife or the environment? ** Justification for the Study ** If Arctic Ice Thickening works, it could help keep sea ice in place longer—supporting local travel routes, hunting, and wildlife and preventing the ocean from warming even faster. It’s a low-tech idea based on traditional ice road building, but we’re testing it for a new purpose: slowing down sea ice loss. With the results of this field test, we hope to better understand if this could be part of a solution to Arctic climate challenges. ** Where, When, and How Long ** The field test will happen on the sea ice to the west of Broughton Island, north of Qikiqtarjuaq. The exact spot will be chosen in collaboration with the Hunters & Trappers Organization, staying away from areas where animals are known to gather.We plan to do most of the work in February 2026 and 2027, when there is enough daylight and the ice is thick and safe. The work will take about 4–5 weeks each year, including setup, pumping, and cleanup. Monitoring of the ice will continue until summer, using equipment that can float and be tracked by GPS. ** Research Methods ** Our team (6-8 people) will:•Use snowmobiles and sleds to carry pumps and equipment•Drill holes in the ice and pump seawater onto the surface•Repeat this over an area of about 1 km²•Monitor ice thickness using smart sensors, weather stations, and visual checks, both of the thickened area as for non-thickened ice for comparison reasons•We will work only during the day, to avoid disturbing wildlife. All travel to and from the site will use the same marked path. Waste will be brought back each day. Refueling of snowmobiles will only happen in Qikiqtarjuaq, not on the ice. For the pumps we will only have to replace jerrycans to refuel to avoid spills. ** Sharing Results in Nunavut ** We are committed to working closely with the Qikiqtarjuaq community. Wildlife monitors/guides and field ice observers will be hired during the project. We plan to:•Share our results with the Qikiqtarjuaq Hunters & Trappers Organization•Provide summaries in plain language and visual formats•Visit Qikiqtarjuaq before the start of the field test for further community consultation and afterwards to present findings and hear community feedback•Make our data available to Nunavut researchers and decision-makers and investigate if we can make all ice thickness data available via the Siku platform to the local community.