AZA collaborates with Polar Bear International (PBI) to address polar bear and arctic habitat conservation through support for scientific research and educational outreach programs. PBI offers Leadership Camps to help people become inspired by
polar bears and gain the knowledge and skills needed to reduce CO2 in their
home communities.
As an AZA member, you can meet and talk with some
of the world’s foremost authorities on polar bears and climate change as part
of a webcast from the tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, during the famous polar
bear migration. The webcast is a joint effort between Polar Bears International
and AZA and is part of PBI’s Tundra Connections program.
Polar Bears and Sea Ice: Interact LIVE with Leading Polar Bear
Scientists (and a Climate Expert) from the Polar Bear Capital of the World
November 8th, 2 p.m. CST
As arctic winds shake the buggy and polar bears prowl
outside, you’ll have an exclusive opportunity to talk with Dr. Steven C.
Amstrup, Dr. Andrew Derocher, and other panelists. Amstrup and Derocher are known worldwide for
their groundbreaking research on the effects of climate change on polar
bears—work that spans three decades and includes field research in Alaska,
Norway, and Canada.
Over the course their careers, they’ve worked in the numbing
cold, in subzero temperatures, to study the great white bears—weighing powerful
males, putting satellite collars on females, and evaluating the health and
condition of polar bear cubs. They’ve
also witnessed profound—and deeply disturbing—changes in the arctic landscape.
They’ll be joined by Dr. Michael Mann, a world-renowned
climate expert. Other panelists include:
- Julene Reed (Director of Academic Technology, St.
George’s Independent School, PBI Advisory Council, Apple Distinguished
Educator, Dr. Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Advisory Council, and Discovery
Education STAR DEN Leadership Council)
- Evan Richardson (Wildlife Biologist, Environment Canada)
- Kassie Siegel (Climate Law Institute Director, Center of
Biological Diversity)
To join the webcast, visit the PBI Tundra
Connections log-in page on November 8th at 2 p.m. CST.____________________________________________________
In Fall 2010, PBI offered three camps that include professionals
and teens affiliated with AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums:
Zoo Keeper Leadership Camp (27 September) is open zoo
keepers affiliated with Arctic Ambassador Centers and is designed to inform,
inspire, and empower keepers with information and tools to motivate their
constituents. The camp focuses on communication and presentation skills,
creative planning, and program execution especially with regard to global
warming and its effects on polar bears.
NEW this year! Communicators Leadership Camp (4 October) targets zoo-based educators and public
relations and marketing staff. The camp focuses on what is going on in the
field along with climate change and polar bear science, interpretation
strategies and how people learn, and builds tools that focus on the best ways
to share the message.
Teen Leadership Camp (11 October) is open to
outstanding students selected by participating Arctic Ambassador Centers around
the world. The camp is designed to inform, inspire, and empower students to
motivate change within their communities especially with regard to the effects
of climate change on polar bears and promotes communication and presentation
skills, confidence, teamwork, and creativity.
To read more about PBI and these camps, please visit their camp blogs.
Shelly's Updates from Churchill
AZA’s
Conservation Biologist, Shelly Grow attended the Communicators Leadership
Camp and posted her impressions and photos from her stay in The Polar Bear
Capital of the World.