Saving polar bear habitat – The role of zoo keepers R. Buchanan President, Polar Bears International Polar Bears International is a non-profit organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the polar bear and its habitat through research and education. PBI provides scientific resources and information on polar bears and their habitat to all interested parties. Through its Scientific Advisory Council, a goal of PBI is to empower zoo keepers as leaders in their institutions and communities as ambassadors of the arctic ecosystem by providing educational resources. The presentation will outline how zookeepers can inspire and motivate people and communities with the knowledge that reducing our carbon footprint saves polar bear habitat, and habitat for all other species, for future generations. Keepers will learn how to create a vision and motivate others to follow their conservation and educational initiatives. Finally, the resources available to zoo keepers through PBI will be highlighted by showcasing two important programs offered by PBI and AAZK, Zookeeper Leadership Camp and Project Polar Bear. |