Friday, October 17, 2008

6:49 PM

October 16, 2008

It is very difficult to explain to someone what EXACTLY happened in my experience in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. All I really can say to them is that it was a life changing experience that I will never forget. I was so inspired by everyone there and seeing the arctic wildlife was breathtaking. I loved everything about my trip. (Well, maybe not the honey bucket or when I got sick.) Saving the polar bears is so important. It has become one of my top priorities. I learned on my trip that global warming really affects the arctic wildlife. I have experienced the truth of this world. Global warming exists and arctic wildlife is dying, starving, and drowning, due to our choices. People aren't bad; we just make bad decisions. However, we can change our ways. We can buy recycled products at the local Wal-Mart, plant trees in our communities, or re-use water bottles. It really adds up and makes a difference. I am adjusting my carbon footprint, and now it is up to you to adjust yours. So, act now and join me. Become a part of this new generation of wildlife warriors and conserve these bears.
I now would really like to thank some very special people that have made my trip amazing.

-Robert Buchanan (Polar Bears International President): is the most amazing man I have EVER met. He has made so many differences in this world that I think he should just become president. He was like a grandfather to us all. What is even more amazing is that he can create arctic ambassadors each year and he continues to do it because he cares so passionately and so much about the polar bear that he is educating us and sharing with us on what we can do. I owe everything to him. Thank you so much Robert, and thank you for your lovely wake up calls. I miss them dearly.

-Carolyn Buchanan (Robert's lovely wife): Oh, Carolyn is such a sweetheart. I just broke down when I gave her a hug on my way off to the plane. Like I have said, the Buchanans are such wonderful people that I just never quite wanted to say goodbye. And still I don't consider it a goodbye. I consider it a, 'See you soon.' These people are so wonderful and they have made such a difference. Thank you Carolyn.

-Gypsy's: Thank you so much for your wonderful service. You have the BEST food ever!!!! I love you guys so much and your food! Thank you for your kind hospitality.

-Hudson Bay Helicopters (especially Darryl our pilot): Thank you for letting PBI ambassadors use your helicopters for a tour. It was SO much fun and I have never quite had an experience like that ever in my life. You could ask just about any other ambassador and they could easily say the helicopter ride was their favorite event.

-Tundra buggy lodge and gift shop- what can I say? YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING. THANK YOU. Thank you for a wonderful place to stay, thank you for warmth and shelter. Thank you for letting us be able to buy some wonderful gifts for family and friends

-Calm Air: Thank you for your wonderful safe airplanes that gave us great service. We love you.

-Canada Goose: Thank you for your wonderful jackets. Without them we would have froze. They were the most beautiful warmest coats I have ever seen. Many thanks

- 4 Points Hotel: Thank you for your wonderful service. Everyone that works there is blessed. They have quite a lovely job because they work in the best hotel I have ever been in.

-Jim, Betty, and Parker (Fur Trappers): Thank you for sharing your fur trapping with us. I really loved touching the different coats. It is really amazing what you do. Thank you so much for such a learning experience. And good luck with your next season.

-Michael Goodyear (Seal Specialist): Thank you so much for coming and sharing with all us ambassadors about the seals. I really liked your presentation and I thought your seal vest was really cool.

-Thank you Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society) for this amazing opportunity to study and learn and love these polar bears. This is an experience I will never forget. Thank you so very much for all that you have done for me.

-WWF-Canada: Thank you for sending Lenore over with us as an arctic ambassador facilitator! She was our group leader (GO GROUP BEAR!) And she was wonderful to have. Thanks for the hats and the books and the scarves. We all loved them. Lenore was such a joy to have on the trip she really gave a great presentation on what WWF does for the world.

- Thank you Tim Foresman for your inspiration and your presentation on global earth! It has been really helpful.

-I would like to thank Kathy and Matt Myers for being great and inspiring leaders, Kathy for being and amazing representative from San Diego Zoo, and Matt for being really funny from TREK bikes.

-Thank you Julie Christie, You are a great bear keeper. I can tell you have love and passion through seeing you each day here in the tundra. I think your zoo is very lucky to have a great keeper like you.

-Thanks for everything you do Bill Watkins or should I say Wild Bill. You are a wildlife warrior and save wildlife all the time. Your love for nature shines through you and you have inspired me so much. I hope I can grow up to be someone like you and follow my passion and be able to work in the government or something possibly like that.

-Krista Wright, you are the kindest woman in the world! You are a great representative and you really were too kind to me when I was sick. Thank you for all those cups of hot chocolate!

Those are my thank yous for the Adults and Businesses that made this trip possible. I would now like to thank those who accompanied me on the trip: my fellow Arctic Ambassadors whom I love so very much and hope they all can change their communities.

-Thank you Buffalo Zoo in New York for sending Molly Mariea to participate in PBI, she was a great friend and had a very spunky attitude. I had so much fun with her and she can definitely reach for the stars.

-Thank you Columbus Zoo in Ohio, for sending Elaina Wahl on this expedition. Elaina was the first person I met, and we met in the airport. We couldn't part since then; she even became my bunkmate. Elaina is so fun and amazing. I really think she can make a difference in this world

-Thank you Future Farmers of America! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to meet a farmer, Trisha Collins! She really knows about farming and will do anything to save the polar bears and conserve farm energy.

-Thank you Gault Inc for joining forces with Polar Bears International because I got to meet an amazing kid just like me. Katya Strange was so much fun. She was always joking around and enjoying the bears. Katya will definitely be able to touch people and inspire them to start to act and save polar bears.

-Thank you Manitoba Conservation for Ritika Khatkar. It was really nice to meet someone from Canada that knows what's going on. She helped us all so much and I know she is going to cause some big changes.

-Thank you Maryland Zoo for Alex Van Dusen who has a great sense of humor and the heart of a lion where she can persuade anyone to love nature.

-Thank you Memphis Zoo for Elizabeth Bailey! Elizabeth may be sometimes quiet but she has a heart of gold. It really shone through in our videoconferences; more people need to be like her.

-Thank you Oregon Zoo for Erica Wills, you will never find a better leader. I hope she is in you zoo teen program because she would rock at it. She is so fun to be with.

-Thank you Philadelphia Zoo for Abhishek Patel. Abhishek knows how to talk to people. He is very good with words and he knows how to get personal when it comes to persuading someone to save polar bears. He would make a great spokes person. Abishek is a great kid.

-Roger Williams Park Zoo Thanks so much for Molly Alves. Molly is so funny and upbeat. Her smiles light up the room. Her passion for polar bears is great and she really is going to make a difference in this world.

-San Diego Zoo, not only can I say thank you for Kathy but I also need to thank you for Alicia Valencia. She is a great person and she really can influence people about her inspiration. I looked up to her on this trip and I hope she can bring some of that inspiration back home to you.

-Seneca Park Zoo, Thank you for Rachel Zoyhofski. She made a great presentation with me when we had to teach our fellow ambassadors about methane. I have never seen Rachel without a smile on her face; you are a blessed zoo to have such a wonderful person working there.

-Thank you Smithsonian's National Zoo for Josue Saul Cardenas, he created a lot of laughs and memories on this trip. He really has the ability to inspire and create moods in people to get them excited about polar bears. He's ready to make a difference.

-Toledo Zoo- Thank you for Kasey Rahn who was AMAZING on this trip, our literal super star (THANK YOU MICHAEL FROM NBC 24 FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID!!!!) Kasey WILL make a difference and will change this world's future generation. SO watch out! Kasey is amazing I am very privileged to say that I am her friend.

-Toronto Zoo thank you for Emily Hawling. Emily was so funny and nice and I had tons of fun with her. She was in my cleaning and cooking group, as well as my presentation group. She really works hard and can lift anyone's dreary mood. She is a great person and will reach for the stars and land on the moon.

Lastly. I would like to thank all of you blog readers, for reading what I have been doing on this experience. I hope you understand the importance of polar bears in this world and that it will make you want to make a difference. The impacts of a warming arctic are harsh but people like you and I really can change our future. I hope you will plant trees and buy recycled products and CHANGE THIS WORLD because right now with the way things are these bears WILL DIE. So please, please stand up for the truth and save the polar bears. Thank you. ~Katie Billing.

Friday, October 17, 2008

6:48 PM

October 15, 2008

My last day in Churchill was a sad, yet amazing one. You could say it ended with a bang. That final day on the buggy I saw 2 male bears sparring in the distance. They were up on their hind legs and it was really cool even though it was far away. Well, lucky for us we saw it AGAIN! The second time was RIGHT by our lodge. Our lovely bear that had been watching over us was just chilling in his snowy bed when the young skinny male bear approached him. The bears circled each other and opened their mouths and sized each other up. It was quite an amusement. It seemed more than entertainment; it was like a dance or a play where the bad guy is giving his lines before a sword fight. Sadly though they decided to pause and take their distances and fight later. (Maybe it was because our bear was bigger and better.) The bears lay down on opposite sides and fell asleep. I was really appreciative about the fact that I got the chance to see that. We ate and cleaned up our lodge and headed out on the buggy. I got to drive the buggy! It was fun because it goes really slow and you are going all over the rocks. It was definitely an experience I will never forget. We got to the dock and had to unload our stuff and get ready to get to the Churchill airport for the way home. But amongst all this sadness of getting ready to go home, it started to snow! The magic flakes danced all around us and I just looked up to the sky and caught them on my tongue and eyelashes! I was so caught up in the moment that I can't quite recall much else except that we went back to Winnipeg at the Four Points Hotel. Saying goodbye seemed impossible but we all managed to do it. Our flights were all booked at different times so we had to say goodbye late at night. We had a party up in Katya's room. It was great because we watched some TV and talked about the good times, rode the elevator, and got our lovely room service to bring us food. It was funny walking into the room because everyone was just lying on the beds relaxing and not feeling like moving. Half of us were soaking wet too because we were all so excited for real showers. But the time came for us to go to bed so we wouldn't miss our flights. Many of us cried ourselves to sleep. ~Katie Billing

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

8:35 AM

October 14, 2008
Today we went on a wilderness helitour with Hudson Bay Helicopters! To get to the helicopters we had to walk out on the tundra it was a dangerous move because a polar bear could come at any moment! Thankfully we had wilderness Bill (Facilitator: Bill Watkins) who had a gun filled with cracker shells to scare any away if they came near. The helicopter ride I thought would be scary because I am afraid of heights! But, surprisingly I had a ton of fun! I loved talking in the radio set that we had to wear on our heads. Our pilot was amazing, his name was Darrell we ended up calling him daring Darrell because he was swooping and taking mini nosedives. He also kept checking up on me to make sure that I was ok. 'I will not make this ride scary, I will make it fun!' Darrell kept telling us that to keep us calm. On our flight I could see the whole tundra, all the bodies of water and I even saw the boreal forest! Some other cool things we spotted were seals, a rocket, and the Fort Prince of Whales. Once we got to our location we got to climb in a bear maternity den! It was really cool! I also saw a bald eagle while we were up there! You wouldn't believe how squishy the tundra is! The ground is basically made up of lichen! There were also a bunch of bearberries and some of my fellow ambassadors were eating them! Molly Mariea had such a funny look on her face when she ate the berries. Apparently the berries are really sweet! Well all in all, this whole trip has been sweet. We had a poetry bash at dinner and I would like to share my poem with you.

A Poem for You, A Poem for the Future.
By: Katie Billing

I've been having fun in the arctic cold.
My future story is about to unfold.
Polar bears are wonderful and nice
But in order to survive they need the ice.
Changing the world is what we plan to do
We just need to involve you
How can we cause change?
By talking to people and expanding the range
Nature is taking care of us
Why do we have to fuss?
Listen to me, and listen good
I will explain what you can do, and should
YOU CAN BUY RECYCLE
Or listen to NBC 24 with Michael
You can listen to the people who live here
Talk and share a beer
Talking to trappers change your views
Go home and talk on the news
YOU CAN PLANT A TREE
Or become a part of PBI like me
You can listen to Carolyn and Robert talk
Hear their passion on a bear walk
Riding the tundra buggy and using the honey pot
The bears are vanishing to a dot
Thank you BJ and wonderful staff
We all are family and have a good laugh
PBI I have become a fan
I will stand up and fight man
PBI can unite
Will you come and join our fight?
Save these bears for years to come
Please don't be stupid or dumb
The greatest year of conservation will birth
Let us save our EARTH!

(I love you all- I just had to let you know, I hope you enjoyed my poem and show.)

~Katie Billing

Monday, October 13, 2008

6:39 PM

Happy Thanksgiving Canada! Life on this lodge has been splendid. Everyone on here has become family to me. It may only be a week that I am here with these people, but our bonds and our interests are strong. Sometimes we have some different opinions but the cool thing about it is that we all respect each other. We all have a passion for wildlife and conservation. We all come from different backgrounds and have different opinions but we all love and respect each other. Today we had a presentation today by Parker, Betty and Jim who are trappers that live in the northern community. It really changed my outlook on fur trapping. I used to be negative toward fur trapping because it is taking animals' lives and I figured they were all inhumane and cruel. But hearing from Betty, Jim, and Parker, I have realized it is a part of life. It is the way we used to live. All of our ancestors used to hunt and fish to get their food and they would use the furs as protection and clothing. I got to pet various furs that they have trapped from wolf to fox. The thing that really got me interested was the fact that these people have a love and respect for animals. They kill these animals and use every bit of them. They are connected to the earth and they live off of the wildlife. Our guests also talked to us about how the seasons have changed and how it is harder to cross the ice and trap. Also how the weather affects the animals. Seeing them talk and hearing what they had to say created a different mind in me. I now really appreciate the skills and talents they have to skin and trap these creatures. At the end of the presentation Betty told us she wished we could walk in the woods like she did, and respect the wild. We are not alone in this world
~Katie Billing

Monday, October 13, 2008

6:38 PM

October 12, 2008

Today was simply amazing! We woke up and a polar bear was right outside our window, an adult male who looked really healthy. It was such a neat experience. It was. He was HUGE! I never really realized how big they were till this white magnificent animal approached the buggy; he was only a foot away! It was so breathtaking and blood rushing. I didn't quite notice the threat of extinction for these animals until this visit to the Churchill area. I love our polar bears at the zoo very dearly, but my newfound love for these wild creatures has been burning in the deepest pit of my heart. My passion and outlook on life have definitely changed. I also haven't noticed the effects people have on the earth. Our every move, our every decision can affect the tundra. I may be from Chicago, Illinois, but the litter we throw out the window of our cars, and the one water bottle we forgot to recycle, or the one less tree we could have planted, affects all the wildlife and particularly the ecosystem of our world. We truly are all are connected in a tangled and twisted web of life. When we don't recycle more CO2 goes into the atmosphere, and when we don't turn off our lights we waste energy. All of the pollution goes into the atmosphere and wildlife, eventually killing lots of indigenous species of the environment. If the polar bears die, then we also somewhat are killing ourselves. We need the trees and plants and wildlife for survival. They are the air we breathe and the food we eat. We need them to survive. If we don't take care of the earth, then we are neglecting care for ourselves. The polar bear sitting outside the window was playing with a piece of trash. That trash represents the stupidity and ignorance of humans in this world. The playfulness of the bear resembles the wildlife that has to cope with our ways. Bears can't change the world so we have to change it for them. We need to stand up and fight and save ourselves, save our ecosystems, and save these bears. The point of the matter is that all we need to do is buy recycled products, plant a tree, and buy CFL light bulbs. It REALLY and TRULY makes the biggest difference. The littlest things cause big impacts in this world.

Besides seeing the magnificent white bear that hung around our lodge, I also got to experience nature's wonders at its best. I saw the Northern Lights. Green swirls and pigments of red and purple shone as well. They danced among the stars. Right behind them was the big dipper also known as the great bear. The Northern Lights seemed to accent the bear. Like Mother Nature watching over her child, the lights and the bear hit home in my heart. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I will cherish that memory till the day I die. I love nature, I love the earth, call me a hippy or a romanticist. I am thankful for what I have and you should be too. If YOU care you will take action, and make a difference in this world like I have and plan to continue on doing so. I will hold nature and wildlife in a special place my heart till my last and dying breath where I can be joined with it and become a part of it all.

*Much love from the girl with a Chicago accent!*~Katie Billing

Saturday, October 11, 2008

6:56 PM

Oh what a beautiful morning oh what a beautiful day I've got a beautiful feeling everything's going my way! We woke up today that that wonderful song sung by Robert Buchanan (The president of PBI). That song left a lasting impression in everyone's minds because it was quite the wake up call. Indeed it was a beautiful morning. Out my window I saw the dark sky and tundra and the sun had yet to rise. I got really excited because I woke up and I was still in my bunk and not at home in my bed. All of this is real and today I will have spent my first full day on the buggies and in the lodge.

During the middle of our hard work I looked out the window of the lodge and saw a young arctic fox scampering across the arctic. I freaked out and told everyone to look out the window. My fellow Arctic Ambassadors snapped a bunch of photos of this animal. The fox was so cute and adorable and we were lucky because he stayed around for awhile and kept us amused. We also saw a bunting bird hopping around the lodge. I got a few cute photos of him as well.

Then it was off to the tundra buggy! We all fit into our wonderful white whale and were off. (The tundra buggy was so huge it could have been a whale.) Once we were out on the tundra I got really excited because I could finally see all the wildlife at work. The sky was also clearer from the first time on the buggy. We saw two arctic hares and took a few photos. They looked so fuzzy and warm but they really stuck out from the tundra because there wasn't any snow yet. I also learned from Bill Watkins, who is a wildlife biologist accompanying, us on our trip, that there is a difference between hares and rabbits. Hares have their young out on the ice and rabbits have their young underground in burrows. Hare's young also are born with their eyes open vs. the rabbit young who are born with their eyes closed.

Its really nice to be on a trip with young adults my age as well as adults that are scientists and biologists and WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) representatives. I like the diversity because I can learn from the others and carry on their information into my future. The buggies rolled along and all of a sudden BJ the buggy driver spotted a bald eagle swooping in the sky! It was amazing! I have never seen a wild bald eagle ever in my life so this was a real treat, especially because I am an American and the eagle is the symbol of U.S.A. Some various species of duck were spotted as well. We continued our bumpy and jiggly journey 'til we reached the mother and the two cubs again! They were all snuggled together sleeping upon the sub-arctic surface. It was REALLY cute. I think I took about a dozen photos.

The bears were not even afraid as the tundra buggy approached because I assume they are used to us by now. We watched and gawked for about an hour and then the mother rose up and her cubs followed they walked along our trail and we couldn't move because they were crossing back and fourth across our rough, dirt road. One of the cubs was adventurous and the other stayed close to mom. Seeing this was really cool because the cubs all had their own personalities. One of the bears found a piece of trash and began to play with it. The curious one kept looking back at the buggy and at one point he sat on his bottom and had his torso in the air. It was one of the most memorable moments I have ever experienced with these bears. At one point even the mom got up on her legs and had her paws in the air.

BJ our faithful driver told us that most females don't stand on their back haunches, it is mostly the males that do that therefore it was really rare and special that we got to see her do that. Time is precious so we had to head back to our lodge.

Seeing all of this wildlife in its natural habitat has been breathtaking, shocking, fantastic, amazing wonderful and enthralling for me. I did not expect to see this amount of animals, large and small in this barren land.

I'm glad I have made some new friends and saw those bears again. I can't wait till my group gets to present tomorrow. Much love and bear hugs from the Arctic.

~Katie Billing

Friday, October 10, 2008

9:44 PM

Today was a reality to my wildest dreams. We got up super early for our flight to Churchill. We all took a cool little plane up there (Thanks to Calm Air). I sat next to another leadership camp member, Elaina and she is from Ohio. It was fun to talk to her about our backgrounds of the zoo and things. Arriving in Churchill was WAY different from what I imagined. I made sure to wave goodbye to myself as I left the plane, because I know that PBI Leadership Camp will change my life. My first experience of Churchill was the weather. I thought Chicago was cold, Churchill isn't cold it is FREEZING! The wind was nipping at my nose and the rain was felt like sprays of ice in my face. I got off the plane and was so shocked. We took some pictures with the plane and the staff; Heather our flight attendant was too kind. Thank you Calm Air for everything you do for Polar Bears International, we love you!

When then got on our white bus. First we went to the D-20 compound, which is also known as the polar bear jail, it was really neat to see. We didn't go inside it because two bears were already occupying its space and waiting for relocation. We did however see bear traps and I peeked inside one too see what it looks like from the polar bear's point of view! They bait the traps with seal meat to catch the problem bears.

The next big thing was heading into town. The town of Churchill is the cutest little town. Lunch was at Gypsy's, which was this convenient restaurant with wonderful staff. We went by Hudson Bay and it was beautiful. It was an amazing view. It got so cold due to the wind chill that we went into the Complex ' a giant building that houses the school and places for kids to hang out and play. It was really neat because it was a Kinder through high school. There were also indoor playgrounds and a giant bear slide. It never occurred to me that the playgrounds were inside due to the cold.

We also went to the post office and got the Churchill postmark stamp on our passports. Everything in Churchill seemed to revolve around those magnificent white bears. I couldn't wait till I finally could see one in the wild. My first encounter with Churchill wildlife was a Husky pup; he was so adorable frolicking about the street. We then went to the Wapusk National Park Center. I learned a few interesting facts on the history of Churchill.

We then got back on the bus and discussed if it was right to overfeed your sled dogs (who live outside) when the food remnants attract polar bears and it is illegal to feed the bears. It was a very interesting topic. We were right by the place with the sled dogs and the most amazing thing occurred. It happened out of nowhere, a big fat white shape was moving outside the window. We spotted our FIRST polar bear! I was so overjoyed and scrambling to get some good pictures and video footage. We then noticed another bear! So we saw TWO bears and we haven't even reached the tundra buggies! It was the most amazing feeling ever! I felt like God had just planted an amazing blessing right in front of us. We then got into the Tundra Buggy and it was gigantic. I felt like an ant compared to a tree. As we went around in this buggy we spotted even MORE wildlife! We saw a mother polar bear and her cubs! They were so cute! The little bear jumped up on the side of the buggy and his little eyes wandered and met mine. I instantly felt a connection to him and I felt all warm and fuzzy inside. It was definitely an amazing experience. He took his paws down and rejoined his mother and sibling and continued on their way. We continued our journey on the bumpy tundra and saw an arctic hare a snowy owl and some ptarmigans! We even ran into the mother and the cubs again and they were resting by some shrubs and they were snuggled for warmth. I felt like I was watching a movie. It's amazing we haven't even spent a whole day in Churchill! We finally reached the lodge, it was way different from what I imagined. It was huger than I thought, but the sleeping quarters were tight, and it looked really fun.

I can't wait till tomorrow. It will be our first full day in the lodge. We ate some tundra chow for dinner and talked about our amazing experiences of the day. I can't wait till I got to bed so that I can wake up tomorrow in the tundra and realize that this isn't a dream and that I really am here with this amazing group of people who have gathered to make a difference in this world.

Till my next installment ~Katie Billing

Friday, October 10, 2008

9:29 PM

October 9, 2008
My adventure has indeed begun! I rode on the plane to Winnipeg and I had the window seat. I kept pinching myself to make sure that this day was real. It is real, and I can't believe that I am embarking on this adventure of a lifetime. I looked out the window of my plane and I just saw a blanket of clouds beneath us. I felt like the clouds were tufts of white snow and I was almost sure a polar bear would appear. This was my first trip out of the U.S.A so I was really excited. Once we got to Winnipeg airport we met up with more fellow PBI and chatted over lunch. We had a meeting at Four Points Hotel and it was great to meet everyone. It really is wonderful because we all have common interests. Kathy Myers, our fearless leader, then had us do interviews and go around the room with eco- and polar bear related questions. It was a great ice breaker.

We listened to the President of PBI, Robert Buchanan talk and it really inspired me and got me excited about camp. We learned that the most important thing is food. We also met some very special guests who are involved in the PBI family. Lynda and Merv Gunter are the owners of the Tundra Buggy Adventure and they have the buggies so that they can educate the world. I felt very privileged to be able to stay with the PBI family at the Tundra Bugy Lodge. We also met John Pisker who manages the Four Points hotel in which we were staying at, I am very thankful for his wonderful accommodations for us all.

Bob Williams, a proud community leader in Winnipeg, a PBI Board Member, and a supporter of the Winnipeg Zoo, shared a few stories, enlightening us about updates on Debby, the world's oldest polar bear. I was really glad that PBI alumni were at the dinner because they were really cool and they were great role models for us. Kind of surprisingly, we had a discussion about dead animals and how we had to respect and cherish others opinions and be a flexible team. We then got these AMAZING coats from Canada Goose. It was the most beautiful coat I have ever beheld. Since the coats are filled with down and have a coyote fur hood trim, it made sense why we were talking about using animal products. The coyote fur was really cool because Canada Goose used the idea of the fur rim based on the indigenous people of Canada in which they use the fur as an original protector from the wind and ice.

We ate dinner and it was so good because as we all know, food is most important. We then watched a presentation by Robert Taylor who is a wildlife photographer. I was so mesmerized by his work because I myself am a young photographer in the making. He even shared a few tips. He also taught me a very important lesson and that was you need to be a naturalist first and a photographer second. That way you can continue to respect nature and take amazing photos. It was a really good presentation with breath taking photos. We said our goodnights and were off to bed so we could get some sleep for our early flight the next day.
~Katie Billing
Oh what a beautiful morning oh what a beautiful day I've got a beautiful feeling everything's going my way! We woke up today that that wonderful song sung by Robert Buchanan (The president of PBI). That song left a lasting impression in everyone's minds because it was quite the wake up call. Indeed it was a beautiful morning. Out my window I saw the dark sky and tundra and the sun had yet to rise. I got really excited because I woke up and I was still in my bunk and not at home in my bed. All of this is real and today I will have spent my first full day on the buggies and in the lodge.

During the middle of our hard work I looked out the window of the lodge and saw a young arctic fox scampering across the arctic. I freaked out and told everyone to look out the window. My fellow Arctic Ambassadors snapped a bunch of photos of this animal. The fox was so cute and adorable and we were lucky because he stayed around for awhile and kept us amused. We also saw a bunting bird hopping around the lodge. I got a few cute photos of him as well.

Then it was off to the tundra buggy! We all fit into our wonderful white whale and were off. (The tundra buggy was so huge it could have been a whale.) Once we were out on the tundra I got really excited because I could finally see all the wildlife at work. The sky was also clearer from the first time on the buggy. We saw two arctic hares and took a few photos. They looked so fuzzy and warm but they really stuck out from the tundra because there wasn't any snow yet. I also learned from Bill Watkins, who is a wildlife biologist accompanying, us on our trip, that there is a difference between hares and rabbits. Hares have their young out on the ice and rabbits have their young underground in burrows. Hare's young also are born with their eyes open vs. the rabbit young who are born with their eyes closed.

Its really nice to be on a trip with young adults my age as well as adults that are scientists and biologists and WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) representatives. I like the diversity because I can learn from the others and carry on their information into my future. The buggies rolled along and all of a sudden BJ the buggy driver spotted a bald eagle swooping in the sky! It was amazing! I have never seen a wild bald eagle ever in my life so this was a real treat, especially because I am an American and the eagle is the symbol of U.S.A. Some various species of duck were spotted as well. We continued our bumpy and jiggly journey 'til we reached the mother and the two cubs again! They were all snuggled together sleeping upon the sub-arctic surface. It was REALLY cute. I think I took about a dozen photos.

The bears were not even afraid as the tundra buggy approached because I assume they are used to us by now. We watched and gawked for about an hour and then the mother rose up and her cubs followed they walked along our trail and we couldn't move because they were crossing back and fourth across our rough, dirt road. One of the cubs was adventurous and the other stayed close to mom. Seeing this was really cool because the cubs all had their own personalities. One of the bears found a piece of trash and began to play with it. The curious one kept looking back at the buggy and at one point he sat on his bottom and had his torso in the air. It was one of the most memorable moments I have ever experienced with these bears. At one point even the mom got up on her legs and had her paws in the air.

BJ our faithful driver told us that most females don't stand on their back haunches, it is mostly the males that do that therefore it was really rare and special that we got to see her do that. Time is precious so we had to head back to our lodge.

Seeing all of this wildlife in its natural habitat has been breathtaking, shocking, fantastic, amazing wonderful and enthralling for me. I did not expect to see this amount of animals, large and small in this barren land.

I'm glad I have made some new friends and saw those bears again. I can't wait till my group gets to present tomorrow. Much love and bear hugs from the Arctic.

~Katie Billing