PBiNews Banner 2011

January 2012
New Year's Resolution
Bear Tracker
Guest Post: Dr. Andrew Derocher
Arctic Species of the Month
Take Action!

Adopt a Bear

for 

Valentine's DayAdopt Valentine

How sweet it is: Our symbolic adoptions represent a heartfelt way to sayI love you. Each adoption helps support our conservation efforts on behalf of the bears.

2012 Calendars:

Now Half Off!

Can't figure out where January has gone? Now's your chance to retrace your steps and plan for the future with 50% off Norbert Rosing calendars.  But hurry up, they're going fast!

2012 Calendar

And for a limited time, purchase any book or the Norbert Rosing calendar and receive a FREE Bela Baliko

polar bear calendar!

FEATURED SPONSOR

 For the second year in a row, Holt Renfrew has supported our efforts by donating a portion of the profits from a limited edition Canada Goose product during the holiday season.

Chantal CG Jacket This year's offering? An exclusive jacket designed by singer and PBI spokesperson Chantal Kreviazuk

SCIENTIST PROFILE
Dr. Andrew Derocher
Professor of
Biological Sciences
University of Alberta
Derocher 2

 Dr. Derocher's extensive field

research focuses on two polar bear populations in Canada: Western Hudson Bay and the Beaufort Sea. His current research includes studying the effects of climate change and

toxic chemicals on polar bears.

 

An active member of PBI's

Scientific Advisory Council,

Derocher volunteers his time with

our Tundra Connections broadcasts and media outreach and is a

frequent contributor to our

Scientists & Explorers Blog.

VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Nutrition for Mothers and Cubs

 Learn about the polar bear's complex reproductive cycle--and the critical role fat reserves play--in this short video interview with Dr. Tom Smith, who studies denning families in Alaska. 

FLICKR PHOTO 

OF THE MONTH

Jan 2012 Flickr Photo

 Young polar bear cubs stay snug

in maternity dens at this time

of year under a deep blanket of

snow. Come springtime, they'll

emerge with their moms to learn

to hunt seals on the sea ice. 

 

In this image by photographer

Richard Sidey in PBI's Flickr group,

a female polar bear leaps between

ice floes in Svalbard with her

two cubs in tow.

Give A Gift Icon

Adopt Icon
Honor Icon
   BBB VerticalBest of america 

A New Year's Resolution for Polar Bears

 

A new year. New cubs. Fresh, untracked snow. As 2012 begins, take a moment to think about your habits and find ways to increase your commitment to a low-carbon lifestyle. 

 

Two Cubs

 

Will this be the year you switch to reusable bags? Conduct a home energy audit--and follow the suggestions? Stop idling your car and walk inside?

 

We all have good intentions, but how do you turn a resolution a habit? Recent behavioral studies offer insights into how to make your goals stick.   |more  
Bear Tracker Map

 

In the dark of an arctic winter, as snow sweeps over the 

Bear Tracker Icon

tundra and northern lights dance across the sky, polar bears sniff out seal breathing holes on a platform of ice. 

  

Our new Bear Tracker map lets you follow the bears as they wander across the ice in search of prey on Hudson Bay and the Beaufort Sea. The interactive map lets you:

  • Apply ice layers that show the depth of the sea ice and how this affects the bears' movement patterns
  • See the variability between individual polar bears
    --some champion wanderers and others more stay-at-home types
  • Understand the connection between polar bears and sea ice and why we must each do our part to save arctic ice by lowering CO2
Guest Post: 
Other Challenges to Polar Bears
 
By Dr. Andrew Derocher 
Bear on Three Feet

 

It's easy to lose sight of other threats to polar bears when global warming keeps reminding us how badly we need to act. Climate change is the main threat to polar bears in the coming decades. Over-harvesting, shipping, development, and pollution, however, all impact polar bears and will be important in years to come as they interact with a warming climate.   |more 

Arctic Species of the Month:

Willow Ptarmigan

White in winter, brown in summer, flocks of plump ptarmigan blend perfectly with the landscape, hiding them from predators like the arctic fox and snowy owl.  

Ptarmigans

Their feathered feet act like snowshoes, helping them navigate deep snowdrifts. In winter, they survive on willow buds and willow twigs. In summer, their diet expands to other tundra vegetation as well as seeds, berries, and insects.

 

This flock was photographed near Churchill by Daniel J. Cox as part of the Arctic Documentary Project.

 

Fun fact: Ptarmigan often fly straight into snowbanks when ready to sleep. That way, they don't leave tracks for predators to follow.


Power-generating sidewalks--fueled by passersby!


Take Action

Innovative ideas like this give us hope that we can transition from a carbon-based economy. As our chief scientist Steve Amstrup says, the answers are out there--we just need the will. It's up to us to let our political leaders and corporations know we support investment in green technology.  

Pledge to make a resolution for polar bears by becoming a monthly donor.
Your consistent support will help
provide a stable flow of income
in support of our projects.
 

Donate Icon

Your tax-deductible DONATION helps
us do our work. Give as a GIFT or in
HONOR or MEMORY of someone special. Or, add us to your monthly budget with an ENDURING PLEDGE.

You can also join us on your favorite
community sites and share PBI with
your friends and family.

Facebook Icon  Twitter Icon  Flickr Icon  YouTube Icon  
Take Action
We thank you for your continued support.

 

Conservation through research, education, and stewardship 

 

PHOTO CREDITS

Two Cubs, Ptarmigans, Bear on Three Feet,
Daniel J. Cox NaturalExposures.com;

Dr. Andrew Derocher by Andrew Derocher

Flickr Photo of the Month, Richard Sidey

© 2011 Polar Bears International. All Rights Reserved.

  

Marks and text appearing in this newsletter including, but not limited to,  

Polar Bears International name, logo, and programs are trademarks,

registered trademarks, or service marks of Polar Bears International.

divider bar
Polar Bears
Partnerships
About PBI Arctic Allies 

  Organization
  
Research  
Programs
Arctic Ambassador Centers
PBI Project Polar Bear
Education  
Gift Shop
Adopt a Polar Bear
Books
About Us 
Values Statements