Kids help the Zoo and "Our Bears Belong in Buffalo"

The fundraising for our planned Arctic Edge exhibit isn't done, but we are making progress and getting some terrific help from Western New York. The exhibit is slated to be the permanent home for Luna as well as future polar bears, arctic fox, canadian lynx and bald eagle. 

Kindergarten students, as well as first, second, and third graders along with children in the "Life Skills" from Big Tree Elementary raised $1000.00 for the campaign. They presented the money and two birdhouses decorated for Luna and Kali to Zoo Marketing Manager, Michael Powers, on a recent visit to the Zoo.

Students over at the Frederick Law Olmsted School, (School 64) had a variety of fundraisers and faculty came by the Zoo to present a $1500.00 donation to the campaign.

You don't need an entire class to help build a home for Luna. Jacob Frederiksen, a fourth grader at St. Francis of Assisi school in Tonawanda, ran a "Lemonade for Luna" stand on his own and was able to bring $40.00 to contribute to the campaign. 

If you want to help out in getting a permanent home built for Luna with a fundraiser of your own, just let us know. If you would like to donate to the campaign, text "Zoobear" to 56512 or visit the Zoo online at http://www.buffalozoo.org/bear_campaign.html.

Reflections

Reflections (Monday, October 17, 2011)

I’ve barely been back in Buffalo, NY for 24 hours. Already, I miss the sounds of the waves rolling along the rocky shores of the Hudson Bay, the Arctic winds blowing across my face and the delight of catching glimpses of some of the most uniquely beautiful wildlife species I have ever seen. 

I have been asked about my experiences, and for the most part, I’ve received positive reactions. I have also already heard someone say he doesn’t know what good it will be to reduce his carbon footprint when it will result in forcing a bear to be held in captivity when it should be in the wild. 

I realize that the length of my postings may have possibly overwhelmed people, especially since all of us have busy lives and can’t always dedicate as much time as we would like to reading about this issue. For what it’s worth, this was just a chance to share what I experienced and what I learned. It gave me the opportunity to further delve into detail about the issues facing the Arctic.  

To make it simple, these are the points that stuck out most to me throughout this experience:

-          It is incorrect to discredit climate change on the basis that there is a random cold snap in a normally warm area. Climate change isn’t measured in rare occurrences. The definition of climate change is that it is an AVERAGE of climate fluctuations that occur over LONG PERIODS OF TIME. (The term “weather” refers to conditions in short periods of time.)

-          The controversy over climate change isn’t really a scientific debate—it has become more of a political issue in recent years in terms of how to address it.

-          The Canadian government is turning to accredited U.S. zoos that meet the required Manitoba Standards for help in saving their polar bears.

-          The natural habitat for polar bears (sea ice) is disappearing or forming late. It is becoming harder for polar bears to have enough time to hunt seals. If they are unable to bulk up enough, the polar bears are not surviving throughout the months during which they’re forced to fast.

-          There are ways that we, as individuals, can help make a difference. Also, by working TOGETHER (instead of against each other), we’ll have a bigger impact.

Here are some simple things that I have either already done or am planning to do to help reduce my carbon footprint:

-          Recycle in any way I can (plastics, glass, reuse items when possible, etc.)

-          Purchase recycled products (to complete the circle and help increase the demand for these products)

-          Purchase local products (food, etc.)

-          Shop with recyclable/reusable totes (instead of acquiring more plastic bags)

-          Purchase Energy Star appliances

-          Install eco-friendly showerheads

-          Use energy efficient lightbulbs such as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)

-          No idling in cars, trucks, etc.

-          Wash laundry in cold water

-          Adjust my thermostat accordingly to the season—when possible, I won’t blast the air conditioner in the summer or the heat in the winter

-          Unplug electronics not in use—this includes unplugging my cell phone cord from the wall when my phone isn’t charging

I will do my best to help share these ideas with others, and I will be sure to continue to add more actions to my list. This is just a start! Please be sure to continue to visit the Buffalo Zoo to see what we’re doing to be more eco-friendly. We’re continuing to build on our efforts as we move forward, too!

From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for reading my postings. While I don’t expect everyone to agree with everything I stated, I hope this at least serves as a new beginning for ALL of us. I learned so much from this experience, and you know what? I still have a long way to go. Right now, there doesn’t seem to be a perfect solution. I view our earth as a precious gift, and I’m only trying my best as an individual to do what I can to help make a difference. 

I hope you will join me in some of these actions, and I certainly encourage you to come up with your own ideas that may better suit you and your family. 

On behalf of my fellow Arctic Ambassadors, we thank you for your support!

The 2011 Paw of Approval Award

The 2011 Paw of Approval Award

If you know of a local business that has significantly reduced its energy consumption, then we want to hear about it!

The Buffalo Zoo, in conjunction with Polar Bears International (PBI), is looking to recognize businesses that are reducing their carbon footprint by advancing in electricity and heating conservation.

Lowering the amount of greenhouse emissions can slow or reverse the climate changes which cause sea ice to melt. This is important for polar bears as they need the sea ice for hunting.

On April 27, the Buffalo Zoo and the Polar Bears International President, Robert Buchanan, will present the 2011 Paw of Approval Award to the first prize winner. Second and third prizes will also be awarded.

In order to apply for this award, businesses must be able to show that they have reduced their energy consumption over the past 12 to 36 months. (See application for details.)

All nominations must be received no later than April 1, 2011 for consideration.

For more information, please contact Tiffany Vanderwerf, the Buffalo Zoo’s Curator of Education, at (716) 995-6138 or tvanderwerf@buffalozoo.org. You may also contact Jennifer Fields, the Zoo’s Public Relations Coordinator, at (716) 995-6129 or jfields@buffalozoo.org.

To nominate your company or another business, please click here.

Bundle Up for the Polar Bears

	Calling all school administrators, faculty and students! Wear your favorite sweater, hoodie or jacket to school on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, and help save polar bears! The Buffalo Zoo, in conjunction with Polar Bears International (PBI), is launching the “Bundle Up For Polar Bears” initiative to encourage local action on a worldwide conservation issue. We are requesting that schools lower their thermostats by two degrees on this date to lower carbon emissions. Reducing our carbon footprint can slow and even reverse the climate changes which are causing sea ice to melt. Sea ice is a necessity for polar bears as they use it for hunting. By bundling up in your favorite warm clothing, you’ll “bearly” notice the cooler temperature in your school…AND you’ll raise awareness on what we can all do to make a difference in preserving the future of polar bears! For more information, please call (716) 995-6128. To register your school so we can track participation and count up the carbon emissions you save, please complete our Online Registration Form. Once you are registered, you will receive follow-up information, including a Bundle Up poster, as well as a link to the Flickr photo site. After March 1, you can upload your school’s Bundle Up photos to this site so others across the country can see the involvement of Western New York students in this program!