User:ElaineL92/sandbox

Polar Bears International (PBI) is an international non-profit organization founded in 2002. PBI is dedicated to the conservation of polar bears through education and research.

History
In 1992, wildlife photographer Dan Guravich, a Canadian native who was known for his work with polar bears, recruited a group of polar bear enthusiasts into a conservation organization named Polar Bears Alive. Dan served as the first president and remained chairman of the board until his death in 1997. After his death, Robert and Carolyn Buchanan took over the organization and the name was changed to Polar Bears International with a mission focused on saving polar bears by saving their habitat. Robert and his wife, Carolyn, founded PBI in 2002, transforming it from a small organization to a conservation group with a worldwide impact. Robert served as president and CEO of PBI from 2002 until his retirement in 2013. Robert's vision is to help the world understand the importance of the arctic ecosystems and to inspire individuals to take action in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to help save polar bears and countless other species worldwide.

Current conservation approach
The group’s mission is “dedicated to saving polar bears by saving their sea ice habitat." Currently much of its work focuses on research, education, and action. The group considers the preservation of sea ice to be in direct correlation with polar bear survival. Sea ice is important because polar bears depend on it for survival since sea ice is used for movement, reproduction, and hunting. In many parts of the Arctic, warming temperatures and environmental impacts have resulted in significant changes to the extent, duration, and character of annual sea ice. It is interesting to note that polar bears are among the most ice-dependent Arctic marine mammals.

Live webcasts
Daily, starting in the fall, Polar Bears International streams free and live webcasts from Churchill, Manitoba. The webcast take place inside a Tundra Buggy and features discussions with scientists and educators. The Tundra Buggy roams along the landscape and viewers are able to watch as Polar Bears make their migration journey on the coast of the Hudson Bay. The Tundra Buggy is specially-equipped with high-speed internet, cameras and stabilizers to become an outlet to educate and inform its audience. Viewers will “have the chance to learn about polar bears and climate change from leading scientists and educators, and ask questions and receive answers in real time."

Project Polar Bear
Every fall, Polar Bears International challenges students to develop community projects that reduce carbon dioxide in the environment. The contest is open to students aged 11 – 18 in Canadian and US schools. The contest is focused on reducing carbon emissions because the issue of greenhouse gases has contributed to the negative changes in the habitat of polar bears. The Polar Bears International website states that “the Arctic is warmer now and the sea ice is melting. Polar bears need the sea ice to hunt seals. By cutting carbon emissions, we can help save polar bears for future generations."

The winners of the contest are announced on Earth Day, April 22. The contest is split into three divisions based on year of study in school. The prize is a cash award for students to continue their work and make an impact in the community.

International Polar Bear Day
International Polar Bear Day is organized by Polar Bears International every year on February 27. The goal is to raise awareness about the impact of global warming and the effects it subsequently has on sea ice. Individuals are encouraged to lower their thermostat, and take public transit or ride a bike instead of driving.

Logo
The Polar Bears International logo originated in 2002. The symbol depicts a mother bear snuggling her cub. The imagery was chosen because the organization wanted to convey a feeling of protectiveness in people – just like the mother cuddling her cub, so that people feel a love for polar bears, and from that love, become inspired to conserve them. Ultimately, the logo has been modernized over the years but has basically stayed the same.

Canada Goose
Canada Goose, which specializes in extreme weather outerwear, supports Polar Bears International in its dedication to saving polar bears. Every year, the company donates special PBI Expedition Parkas to the scientists, volunteers, and other team members. A portion of the proceeds from the collection goes directly towards saving polar bears and their arctic habitat.

Arctic Ambassador Centers
Zoos around the world recognize the severity of saving polar bears. The goals of the centers is to: educate the public about climate change and how to help, provide leadership for carbon emission reductions in communities, and to to include zoos, museums, science centers, and aquariums. Participating zoos are:
 * Alaska Zoo
 * Aquarium du Québec
 * Brookfield Zoo,
 * Chicago Zoological Society
 * Buffalo Zoo
 * Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
 * Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
 * Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat
 * Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
 * Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
 * Denver Zoo
 * Discovery Place
 * Edmonton Valley Zoo
 * Henry Vilas Zoo
 * Indianapolis Zoo
 * Kansas City Zoo
 * Lincoln Park Zoo
 * Louisville Zoo
 * Memphis Zoo
 * Milwaukee County Zoo
 * North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
 * North Carolina Zoo
 * Oregon Zoo
 * Ouwehands Zoo
 * Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
 * Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
 * Reid Park Zoo
 * Rogers Williams Park Zoo
 * Saint Louis Zoo
 * Scandinavian Wildlife Park
 * SeaWorld San Diego
 * Seneca Park Zoo
 * Toledo Zoo
 * Toronto Zoo
 * Utah's Hogle Zoo
 * Vienna Zoo
 * Zoo Sauvage de St-Felicien