Polar Bears International allies with The Zoological Society of San

Diego to offer guidance



    SEBASTOPOL, Calif., Aug. 6 /EMWNews/ -- Millions of zoo

visitors in North America, Europe, and Australia are learning more about

polar bears and climate change thanks to a network of Arctic Ambassador

Centers established by Polar Bears International (PBI) in alliance with the

Zoological Society of San Diego. To date, there are nearly 30 centers are

up and running, with another 10 scheduled to open their doors this fall. In

addition to offering educational programs, the centers focus on animal

well-being issues and actively support research that will help wild polar

bears. Each center will also play an integral role in PBI's project

thermo-STAT! program, a "turn down the heat" effort that will culminate in

events in Churchill, Manitoba, in November 2008. Detailed information on

each of the programs can be found online at

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/.



    According to PBI President Robert Buchanan, "Each of these conservation

centers will provide leadership in their communities for reducing carbon

emissions -- a scientifically proven, contributing factor to the rising

temperatures on our planet. Scientists believe that we may still have a

10-year window before we reach the tipping point with global climate

change, although it will take 30 to 40 years for significant changes to

show. By working closely with zoos, we can reach millions of people and

inspire change."



    Arctic Ambassador Centers programs include:



    Leadership Camps where selected teens travel to Churchill, Manitoba, to

view, research, and learn about polar bears and become inspired and

confident enough to return to their communities and motivate change in fun

and creative ways.



    Distance Learning Classrooms designed to connect students with

scientists involved in Arctic and polar bear research.



    Project Polar Bear, a contest of sorts to educate, inspire, and empower

youth to make a difference with their own programs and activities to

address carbon emissions and global warming.



    Interpretive Carts for each zoo consisting of a polar bear skull and

claw replica, a polar bear pelt, a sample satellite collar, and images of

polar bears in the wild.



    Photo Galleries of scientists working in the field to educate youth

about scientific research activities involving the Arctic and polar bears.



    Special VIP Tours that offer travelers a chance to see polar bears in

the wild and learn about the Arctic from some of the world's top

zoologists, scientists, and conservationists.



    In-depth Articles on polar bears and the problems they face, published

and available from the top polar bear scientists now working in the field.



    A Scientific Lecture Series featuring top polar bear scientists.



    Committees at zoological institutions to handle animal well-being

issues, research, and educational planning.



    Participation in PBI's Polar Population Project, a far-reaching

research effort to gain information on each of the world's 19 polar bear

subpopulations, to see how they and their habitats are faring.



    Participants include (select list):



    Alaska Zoo; Chicago Zoological Society; Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical

Garden; Cleveland Metroparks Zoo AAZK; Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; The

Maryland Zoo in Baltimore ; Memphis Zoo; Milwaukee County Zoo; Oregon Zoo;

The Philadelphia Zoo; Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium; Roger Williams Park

Zoo; Saint Louis AAZK; San Diego Zoo; Scandinavian Wildlife Park;

Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park; Toledo Zoological

Gardens; Toronto Zoo; Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum; Utah's Hogle Zoo; Vienna

Zoo; Seneca Park Zoo.







    Arctic Ambassador Associates include:



    Frontiers North Adventures; Future Farmers of America; Gault, Inc.;

Manitoba Conservation; National Museum Wildlife Art; Parks Canada/Wapusk

National Park; PBI Australia

    About PBI



    Polar Bears International is a non-profit organization devoted to

worldwide conservation of the polar bear through support of research and

education. World headquarters are in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, at 550-5

Donald Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L-2T4, Canada. U.S. headquarters are

in Sebastopol, California. One hundred percent of donations go to support

PBI initiatives. For more information, visit

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org.