The future. With mom. At Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. ArcticWild.net photo. Click image for more.
February 27th marks International Polar Bear Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of polar bears and the urgent need to address climate change for the future survival of these majestic creatures — and the planet as a whole.
Why Polar Bears Matter
As symbols of the Arctic’s wild and pristine nature, polar bears play a crucial role in the ecosystem, and their survival is intimately linked to the health of our planet’s environment. Polar bears are more than just iconic symbols of the Arctic; they are key indicators of environmental health and play a vital role in the marine food web.
The rapid decline of sea ice due to climate change poses an immense threat to the polar bears’ habitat. This loss of habitat not only results in less ice and reduced time on their traditional hunting grounds, but also forces polar bears to travel greater distances for food, and leads to decreased survival rates, especially for young cubs.
As apex predators, polar bears help maintain the balance of the Arctic ecosystem, affecting the populations of their prey and influencing the overall health of the environment. Their survival and well-being are closely tied to the condition of sea ice, making them important indicators of the impacts of climate change on the Arctic ecosystem.
The Importance of International Polar Bear Day
International Polar Bear Day is not just a day to admire the beauty and strength of polar bears; it’s a day to reflect on our relationship with the environment and the steps we can take to ensure a sustainable future for all of our planet’s inhabitants. It reminds us of the urgent need to address climate change, to protect and preserve the natural habitats of polar bears and other wildlife, and to work together towards a healthier planet.
As we celebrate International Polar Bear Day, let us commit to making informed choices, supporting conservation efforts, and raising awareness about the importance of polar bears and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit. By taking action we can help ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the sight of a polar bear roaming the Arctic ice.
On International Polar Bear Day, individuals, organizations and communities worldwide come together to spread the message about protecting polar bears and their home. Through educational initiatives, fundraising campaigns, community clean-ups and symbolic adoption programs, people celebrate the day and contribute to conservation solutions in their own way.
How You Can Help
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Simple actions like reducing energy consumption, choosing sustainable transportation options, and supporting renewable energy sources can have a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a key factor in combating climate change.
Reduce Waste and Recycle: Cutting down on plastics and responsibly disposing of trash minimizes the human footprint. Recycling, reusing and repurposing materials allows us to extract less from nature and leave a cleaner world for wildlife.
Educate Yourself and Others: Awareness is the first step toward action. Educate yourself about polar bears, the challenges they face, and the broader issues of climate change and environmental conservation. Share this knowledge with friends, family, and your community to spread awareness.
Support Conservation Efforts: Donate to organizations dedicated to polar bear conservation, such as Polar Bears International, World Wildlife Fund, and Defenders of Wildlife. Your support can help fund critical research, conservation projects, and education programs. Donations aid vital on-the-ground efforts. Symbolic polar bear adoptions also contribute.
Adopt a Polar Bear: Symbolically adopting a polar bear through a wildlife conservation organization is a great way to contribute financially to the preservation efforts, and it can also be a meaningful gift that raises awareness among recipients.
Sustainable Tourism at Churchill Wild
Churchill Wild operates with a profound commitment to preserving the natural environment. We have implemented eco-friendly practices at all our lodges to ensure our polar bear tours and safaris minimize our impact on the wildlife and ecosystems. We allow guests to experience the beauty of the natural world while also actively contributing to its preservation.
For over 30 years Churchill Wild has practiced responsible and sustainable tourism through:
- Using solar power as the primary energy source and energy-efficient appliances to reduce fossil fuel dependence
- Instituting strict recycling and composting policies to avoid waste
- Sourcing food locally through their own regenerative farm, Prairie Wild, and foraging in the Arctic to provide guests with a fresh culinary experience
- Minimizing motorized vehicles for excursions to lower emissions
- Designing lodge buildings to use lumber sustainably and maximize natural light
- Filtering and reusing water for consumption to decrease wastage
Churchill Wild offers unique experiences that bring people face-to-face with polar bears, fostering a deep appreciation for the bears, the surrounding wildlife, and the importance of conservation efforts. Our polar bear tours and safaris allow visitors to view the bears up-close in their natural environment, primarily through walking excursions.
The result is exhilarating and immersive experiences with the great white bears, inspiring a personal stake in protecting the landscape and its iconic inhabitants. International Polar Bear Day serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty of our natural world and the collective action required to protect it.
Through education, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices, we can make a difference in the lives of polar bears and the health of our planet. Which is not just good for the polar bears…
It’s good for all of us.
International Polar Bear Day in Photos
1. No list would be complete without one of Dennis Fast’s famous fireweed photos. We call this one “Fireweed Frolic” for good reason!
Fireweed Frolic. Dennis Fast.
2. This is one of our very first Nanuk Emergence Quest photos. Chosen for its obvious “awwww!” factor.
Awww. Virginia Huang.
3. There is something satisfyingly clean about this bear. A polar bear’s fur is often muddy or covered with berry stains, but this guy (or gal) is oh-so-pristine.
Sitting pretty. Richard Voliva.
4. Oh Scarbrow! This bear has been visiting Dymond Lake Ecolodge for the last 15 years or so. He’s a guest favourite and loves to pose for photos.
Scarbow on the move at Dymond Lake Ecolodge. Jianguo Xie.
5. There’s nothing quite like the sun rising over Hudson Bay, partially shrouded by the mist coming off the water. We love this photo so much we made it the cover for our 25th anniversary book!
25th Anniversary Book Cover. Seal River Heritage Lodge. Sean Crane.
6. You can almost hear a gentle summer breeze moving through the tall grass that this bear is lounging in while the warm Arctic summer sun washes over him. No wonder he looks so relaxed.
Summer zen at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Robert Postma.
7. This photo was submitted by @thelementofnature on Instagram to our 2017 guest photo contest and ended up winning first place in the polar bear category. It’s not every day you catch a polar bear making a phone call.
Polar bear making a phone call at Seal River. Scott Dere.
8. Bears don’t normally spar in the summertime, so this is a rare sight. They don’t eat much while on land during the ice-out season, so they typically avoid expending a lot of energy.
Polar bears sparring at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Jad Davenport photo.
9. Sparring in late fall is a much more common occurrence, but every bit as spectacular.
Play fighting at Seal River. Dennis Fast.
10. This bear should be wearing a crown, don’t you think? “Regal” is the word that came to mind the first time we saw this photo.
Does it get any more regal than this? Sheree Jensen.
11. As if polar bears aren’t amazing enough, when the late afternoon sun hits them, it’s pure magic.
A walk in the late afternoon sun at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Jad Davenport.
12. We call this ‘Monday mood’. Calmly and quietly, easing into the week.
Monday mood. Ian Johnson.
13. We love the way this photo was composed, almost as if Christopher Scully was giving them a bit of space for their sweet moment.
Tender moment on the rocks at Seal River. Christopher Scully.
14. These colours! That bear! This definitely isn’t a scene we see every day.
Cotton candy bear. Fabrizio Moglia.
15. Another one of the cutest moments we’ve seen captured, this mom and cub sure make a statement against the beautiful fall foliage at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Autumn snuggle. Ramona Boone.
16. Polar bears have a lot of personality, and this one is no exception. We’re not sure what this bear is doing, but it sure made us chuckle when we first saw the photo.
Polar bear sign language. Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Teresa McDaniel.
17. Does anyone have questions about why we chose to include this photo?
Fireweed bear. Michael Poliza.
18. The wisdom and maturity in the eyes of this bear make this portrait one of the best we’ve ever seen.
Wisdom and emotion. Andrew Lasken.
19. Yes, this photo is similar to #5, but equally amazing! That magical time when winter is just settling in at Seal River Heritage Lodge, and the bears are still around, makes for beautiful images.
Sunrise mist. Rick Beldegreen.
20. Handsome on the prowl at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge.
Handsome on the prowl at Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge. Charles Glatzer photo.
21. We call this ‘Portrait of a Lady’. A photographer who can make you think the words “graceful” and “ethereal” really knows what she’s doing.
Portrait of a Lady. Ruth Elwell-Steck.
22. Dreaming of sustainable future.
A nap in the flowers. Sharon Hirsch.
Sustainability at Churchill Wild
