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Adopt a Bear
for
Valentine's Day
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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.
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2012 Calendars:
Now Half Off!
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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!
And for a limited time, purchase any book or the Norbert Rosing calendar and receive a FREE Bela Baliko
polar bear calendar!
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FEATURED SPONSOR
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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.
 This year's offering? An exclusive jacket designed by singer and PBI spokesperson Chantal Kreviazuk.
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SCIENTIST PROFILE
Dr. Andrew Derocher
Professor of
Biological Sciences
University of Alberta | |
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.
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VIDEO OF THE MONTH
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.
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FLICKR PHOTO
OF THE MONTH
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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.
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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.
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
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Bear Tracker Map
In the dark of an arctic winter, as snow sweeps over the
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
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Guest Post:
Other Challenges to Polar Bears
By Dr. Andrew Derocher
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
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Arctic Species of the Month:
Willow Ptarmigan
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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.
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.
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Power-generating sidewalks--fueled by passersby!
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.
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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.
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.
   
We thank you for your continued support.
Conservation through research, education, and stewardship
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PHOTO CREDITS
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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
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© 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.
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