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Share What
You're Doing!
 | | Photo courtesy of Brookfield Zoo |
We want to hear from you! Please send reports of your CO2 reductions and community programs as they occur or in batches.
Access the report system here or on the PBI website.
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New Tools & Resources
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Dr. Steven C. Amstrup explains his use of four ice eco-regions to help communicate the effect of different types of arctic sea ice on polar bears.
Subscribe to YouTube and stay informed when we launch new material!
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Conferences
In an effort to mange our own carbon footprint in 2012,
PBI will be cutting way back on conference travel . . .
But we hope you'll check in with us at the May 2012 European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Conservation Forum in Austria and with our Leadership Camp graduates at the September AAZK conference in Syracuse.
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Please help spread awareness
about PBI and our programs by asking others to sign up for our electronic newsletter!
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Links
Check out this site for
climate change information
on research, observations, modeling, societal implications,
and much more from this
group formerly known as
the U.S. Climate Change
Science Program.
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Stay Connected
 | | Photo Courtesy of Columbus Zoo |
| Join our Facebook group and share your inspiring photos and stories. Or send them to
bnielsen@pbears.org--we'd love to spotlight you and your accomplishments in our Ambassador Highlights! |
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Ambassador
Highlights
| Denver Zoo
Arctic Ambassador Center, June 2011  | |
Denver Zoo's AAC liaison Sue Peters, all bundled up at Leadership Camp
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As one of our newest Arctic Ambassador Centers, the Denver Zoo sets a strong example in climate change action and awareness with model programs such as ECO-Wheels and their Green Res"Zoo"lutions! |
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International Polar Bear Day
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Photo courtesy of Memphis Zoo
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Thank you for all you did to help honor polar bears on their special day in a fun and meaningful way!
Our goal was to help raise awareness of how our daily actions impact polar bear habitat, and your enthusiasm for helping us accomplish that goal wowed us!
The next step is to make our conservation behaviors habits, reminding ourselves and others that every decision you make can make it Polar Bear Day!
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You Asked for It!
What does it mean to be an AAC?
Many of you have requested a short description of what it means to be an Arctic Ambassador Center network member to post on your websites and to include in other communication tools. Try this:
 PBI's network of Arctic Ambassador Centers includes over 50 aquariums, zoos, and museums around the world. These centers help educate the public about the need to take action on climate change and play a leadership role in carbon reduction efforts in their communities
And don't forget about the logo we designed just for you! Go to https://public.me.com/kathrynfoat, open the Arctic Ambassador Center Toolkit folder; and look for Arctic Amb Ctr Member Badges. We hope you'll use the logo on your website and other signage.
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Be Cool for Polar Bears
Alias: Spring Tour 2012
 Be Cool 2012 is officially underway! Our focus this year is on more than just providing information about what climate change is and how it impacts plant and animal species throughout the world. We'll also be reaching out to you for your ideas about supporting innovation for action at the societal level, learning from the proven programs within your own communities, and continuing to share resources with the AAC network. |
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Tundra Connections
Save The Date: April 18, 2012
A Window into the Polar Bear's World
To learn more about the world of polar bear mothers and cubs, we invite you to join us for a special Tundra Connections® broadcast. 
During the broadcast, you'll have the opportunity to meet scientists from the den study team, learn about the challenges moms and cubs face in a warming Arctic, view footage and photos of polar bear families, and ask questions and receive answers in real time. Please register here and tune in at the following times:
Grades K-5, 11-11:30 a.m. CT
General Audience and Grades 6-12, Noon-12:45 p.m. CT
We also have educational resources available for advance preparation.
And while the 2011 season is over, we're in the process of archiving the best of the series. We welcome your ideas on how you would like the selection to be archived--by theme? By audience? Length of time? Let us know what you think!
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Challenge Based Learning
PBI Volunteer Julene Reed recently launched a new website that supports Challenge Based Learning, and Polar Bears International is their featured challenge!
Many educators in schools are focusing on the concept of challenge-based learning, guiding students in "an engaging multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to leverage the technology they use in their daily lives to solve real-world problems through efforts in their homes, schools, and communities." While some of the support materials on this website are structured for a school setting, the overall concept and ideas can easily be adapted for zoo and aquarium communities.
Check out the CBL website and watch the video of Dr. Andrew Derocher on the PBI challenge page. Or become a challenge participant and engage with other organizations. In addition to forming collaborative partnerships, groups can also post comments and share ideas through the forum.
Julene Reed is Director of Academic Technology at St. George's Independent School, a member of PBI's Advisory Council, an Apple Distinguished Educator, Advisory Council forJane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, and sits on the Discovery Education Leadership Council. We're lucky to have her on our side!
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Leadership Camp
Invitations are out and many of the slots are already filled for this year's camps! Camp dates are as follows:
September 30-October 6, 2012
Teen and Project Polar Bear Camp
October 7-13, 2012
Keeper and Communicator Camp
We will be sending out the first information packet soon; please wait to book flights until after reading the materials.
Questions? Please contact Kathryn at kfoat@pbears.org.
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Project Polar Bear
Judging is complete for this year's contest, with 36 teams participating and half of those submitting final reports. Wow!
We'll be making the official announcement of the high-scoring teams around Earth Day, with the highest earning a trip to Churchill
with Teen Leadership Camp and second- and third-place teams traveling to San Diego.
A big thank you to volunteers Kindra Maples and Kathy Donahue, who are responsible for making this year's contest such a great success, and to all of our judges--they may remain nameless, but they know who they are!
PBI is also honored to have actor Andrew Jackson volunteer his time to help with the Project Polar Bear initiative. Mr. Jackson is passionate about the Far North and polar bears and has a long history of community service in this area.
Spring is a great time to recruit for the fall competition! Registration is September 15-October 31, 2012.
Kindra Maples is a perfect example of a volunteer who contributes many hours to PBI despite also working for a zoo! If you have questions about the current year's contest, please contact Kindra at ProjectPolarBear@pbears.org or Kathryn Foat at kfoat@pbears.org.
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www.polarbearsinternational.org
Conservation through research, education, and stewardship
Join us on your favorite community sites and share
PBI with your friends and family!
    
We thank you for your continued support.
©2012 Polar Bears International. All Rights Reserved.
Marks and texts appearing in this resource guide including, but not limited to, Polar Bears International name, logo, and programs are trademarks, registrered trademarks, or service marks of Polar Bears International.
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