Journey to the Arctic: Northern Studies Center Tour

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Northern Studies Center Tour

We were able to get a tour of the new Leed certified Northern Studies Center outside of town in the Polar Bear Management Area. It houses arctic researchers, participants in their elderhostel eco-education programs and school eco-programs. It is an incredible building with labs, fitness center, cafeteria, beautiful living quarters, classrooms - all with gorgeous views, a dome to view the northern lights and a deck outside, out of reach of the polar bears which were numerous. What a great place!

Welcome

I’m so happy that you’ve come to share this incredible journey with me. I hope that I can do justice to the experience through my own words and pictures and those of others I meet along the way.

I will be writing a daily blog of my experiences. However, there will be times when I’m out in the field without internet access so posting them may be sporadic so check back frequently for updates.

I encourage you to leave comments and questions by clicking on the word "comments" in red at the end of each posting. Comments will not show up immediately as they are moderated. You can subscribe to posts by clicking on the "Subscribe to: Posts" (in red) just once at the end of any post.

You may also email me at kathy.donahue@mac.com. My goal is to make this blog as interactive as possible. Please feel free to share this information with those who might be interested. I invite both kids and adults to email me.

My name is Kathy Donahue. I am a Michigan environmental educator and have loved sharing the wonder of science and the natural world in our woods and lakes with school groups, summer camps and the local community. However the global effects of climate change are threatening our world today in ways that are unprecedented in human history. I find myself inspired to do more than what I can on a local level.

Working as a volunteer with Polar Bears International (PBI), I have already traveled to Sudbury, Canada as a presenter for the 2010 Roots and Shoots Conference for Canadian youth and have attended a presentation at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago by Dr. Steve Amstrup (senior PBI scientist) and Dr. Ian Stirling (a Canadian scientist with over 40 years experience studying polar bears in the field).

I am so excited to be a part of the PBI team going to the arctic (Churchill, Manitoba, Canada) starting October 13, 2011.It is a privilege to be working with such an exceptional group of people – all experts in their field - who share a common passion and belief that humans can make positive lifestyle changes that will be sustainable for maintaining a healthy planet for generations to come.

Working together as part of an international team of educators and scientists, we will be developing educational materials onsite as well as broadcasting programs via the internet to classrooms and groups throughout the world documenting the rapidly deteriorating conditions in the arctic due to climate change and encouraging people to think in new sustainable ways.

Change can only occur when we take to heart the power of our experiences, intuition, science, a strong dose of common sense and turn that wisdom and knowledge into action through passionate embrace. The greatest gift we can give to our children and all living things on this earth is to empower others to make the changes in their daily lives that will increase sustainability on this planet.

Inspiration From the Field

The greatest danger to our future is apathy.
Jane Goodall

Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children.

Kenyan Proverb

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Jane Goodall

Let the beauty of what you LOVE be what you DO.
Rumi

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
Author Unknown

My mission is to create a world where we can live in harmony with nature.
Jane Goodall

Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved.
Jane Goodall

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Gandhi

Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.
Jane Goodall

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We only love what we understand. We only understand what we are taught.
Babia Dioum (Senegalese Ecologist)

Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of confusion and bamboozle requires intelligence, vigilance, dedication and courage. But if we don't practice these tough habits of thought, we cannot hope to solve the truly serious problems that face us -- and we risk becoming a nation of suckers, up for grabs by the next charlatan who comes along.

Carl Sagan