Lindsay Pierce

PBI Journal #5

Yesterday was a day worthy of pictures, but today I feel as though words will accomplish my thoughts and feelings more thoroughly. Last night was full of discussion as we wrote down our forward action plans. These action plans will help us go back to our separate communities and use our new-found knowledge to make a difference. Part of my action plan is to try to observe and limit the resources I use that may be harmful to the environment. I would also like to begin using eco-friendly materials, such as make-up and clothes. We also talked about the "Story of Stuff" in our discussion, and it really made me think about the number of products I use that go to waste within six months. If I can change my own ways and help the environment, it will be easier to show others that they can make a difference in their environment as well.
Today is our last day on the tundra. I woke up today with a knot in my stomach, knowing that we will have to leave the Tundra Buggy. The closer we get to Winnipeg, the fewer moments I have to cherish with these Ambassadors. I am looking right now at one of our Australian students, Amy Sutton. She is sitting across the room from me, tears pooling in her eyes. Her breathing is ragged and you can see the grief she feels about leaving us. It makes my heart drop. I feel like I have known these people for seven years, not seven days. We have been through so much together; we have crossed so many barriers of knowledge. However, I know that my new friends and I will keep in touch. I would trust them to make the most important decisions for me, and I respect these people that much.
The minutes tick by and the moments become more intense. I can hear the wind howling outside; it cries as if feeling our pain. The fog has settled in densely, but you can still make out the golden sun. I just finished packing my bags and I practically had to sit on it to get it closed. Why do dirty clothes take up more room than clean ones? Around noon, we will head back into the town of Churchill, and from there we will travel to Winnipeg by plane. I will probably spend most of my time reflecting upon the polar bears we saw, or thinking about the ways I can spread the word in my community. The more people I can tell about the polar bears of the Arctic, the better chance they have to survive. One last thing we have to check off on our "to-do list" is to drive the Tundra Buggy. I was contemplating whether or not the Arctic Ambassadors should be given the reigns like this, and I found myself comparing it to our work for the polar bears. As the next generation, it is important that we take charge of our environment and drive our own buggies. We must stand up for our beliefs and speak through our hearts, no matter how bumpy the road may be.

Lindsay Pierce

PBI Journal #4



We began the morning on the Tundra Buggy Lodge by observing the polar bear mother and cubs. It was amazing to see the bears exploring and wandering around the outside of the Lodge.



An hour later, our group took off in the "Hudson Bay Heli" helicopters. We observed the tundra from an aerial view, and it was breathtaking. It gave me a chance to see the "big picture" of the tundra.



As we have been on the tundra buggies for five days, our feet have not touched real, earthen ground. It is too dangerous to step out of the safety of the buggy, and into the danger of the tundra. After stepping off the helicopter, the earth we felt was soft and buoyant. It was full of lichens and moss that felt soft against my feet.



The main point of the helicopter ride was to see a bear den. The den had collapsed because the permafrost it was built on had completely melted. This poses as extreme danger for polar bears. It was special to see this figure, however, and we all got to take pictures in front of it.



After scavenging around the bear dens for the morning, some of the Arctic Ambassadors laid down on the soft earth. We took several pictures, and laughed quite a bit.

We also had two videoconferences this afternoon, and we presented very well. The polar bears came back to our buggy and pictures were taken all around. I doubt that any of us will forget the week we had with these bears. They are simply fascinating.

Thanks for reading!
Saving the planet,
Lindsay

Lindsay Pierce
Amy Sutton

PBI Journal #3

“The Canary in the Coal Mine”

We slaved away throughout the night,
Recruiting more people to join our fight,
Against the melting of the ice,
A warming earth will not suffice.

Last night we cried and shed our sorrow,
We learned so much about tomorrow.
The future, we learned, is in our hands,
To spread the word across the lands.

When we get nervous for presentations,
We make the “butterflies fly in formations.”
Our stomachs can be put to ease,
Knowing our words will come out like a breeze.

Arctic Ambassadors are the best,
We speak through our heart when put to the test.
The blue coats represent our honor and pride,
We stand up for polar bears, soon to have died.

We saw the mother and cubs today,
And people watched closely with nothing to say.
Although we have seen them in three separate trips,
These bears give us chills, and tremble our lips.

They gracefully stride across the plains,
The blood begins rushing through our veins.
These creatures have a claim to make,
That we take action against our mistakes.

Goodnight,
Amy and Lindsay

Lindsay Pierce

PBI Journal #2

This morning, I had my first taste of the Australian delicacy called “Vegemite.” It is a breakfast spread eaten on buttered toast. I have never tasted anything more disgusting (no offense to those who actually enjoy it). After breakfast, our cohort had a wonderful discussion about the actions we will be taking to make a difference in our separate communities. We made it our mission to take from this experience stories and lessons to share with the world. We also agreed to become better public speakers while attending the Arctic Ambassador Leadership Camp so that the task of sharing our stories could be made easier.
Next, we headed out on the Tundra Buggy in search of polar bears! In the tundra, it is difficult to determine the difference between a “white rock” and a polar bear. We are constantly making jokes about seeing these “so-called white specks” in the distance. After about one hour of looking for bears, we came upon a mother and her two cubs. People kept asking me how I felt after seeing my first wild polar bear. The only logical explanation I came up with was that I “would have screamed if I could.” The feeling one has after coming upon a bear is magnificent. I have the utmost respect for these bears; seeing one for the first time in the tundra was inspiring. As a kid, I grew up with the phrase that “a picture paints a thousand words.” However, as I was standing in the buggy with my camera at the ready, I realized that I did not need it. Sure, I took a few pictures to remember my experience by, but the reverence one feels when watching these creatures is mind-boggling. A picture could not even begin to capture the way I felt after seeing a bear. The idea that these polar bears might be extinct in a few short years is something I cannot imagine. It has inspired me to make a difference for the lives of the bears, as well as the lives of people.

Thanks for reading!
Still in awe,
Lindsay

Lindsay Pierce

PBI Journal #1

Hello everyone! Yesterday was a flustering day for many of the Arctic Ambassadors. It was my first time to fly out of the country, and I had to tackle the wonderful people in “Customs.” Then, I met up with the rest of the Arctic Ambassadors at the Winnipeg Airport Hotel. There are people from across the globe! Getting to know everyone really made me appreciate the culture and diversity found in our cohort. After getting settled into our hotel rooms, we went to bed early only to wake up at 4:00 A.M. this morning to catch our flight to Churchill, Manitoba. Churchill is the Polar Bear Capital of the World and has a population of about 800 people. As Arctic Ambassadors, we will be spending the upcoming week observing the beautiful polar bears. After touching down at the Churchill airport, our group was led by native “Churchillians” to the Parks Canada Interpretive Center to learn a little more about the town. Then, we walked to “Gypsies,” a restaurant and bakery in the middle of Churchill. It was cold today, and I was glad to have my Canada Goose down coat given to us by Canada Goose. After eating, we made our way to the post office where our passports were checked and stamped. We also visited the community center, where several things are located such as the school. From the community center we walked outside and focused on the Hudson Bay! It was amazing to feel the chill of the water that could only come from the Arctic Ocean.
Lastly, our cohort and facilitators boarded a bus, which took us around the tundra to look for polar bears! We saw two very historical sights in Churchill: the Polar Bear Jail, as well as, an old science lab where oil was tested on polar bears in the 1970s. After about three hours of touring Churchill, we had not yet seen any bears, but were amazed at the vastness of the tundra. Finally, our bus reached the Tundra Buggy Lodge! The lodge consists of fours “cars,” all about the size of RVs. Two cars are used for housing and sleeping, while the other two are used for dining and lounging. My favorite part about staying in the tundra buggy lodge is being close to people that have the same passion as I do for the polar bears of the arctic.
According to Strengths Quest Strengths Finder, one of my top five strengths includes “strategic.” This means that I enjoy being organized and maximizing my time. However, I have only been in the tundra for one day, and it feels like time has stopped. I no longer have the urge to maximize my time. I am living under a new cloud, called the present. I can look out the window at this moment, and see the barren tundra land for miles on end. Someone commented the other day that you can “see your dog running away for at least three days in the tundra.” It is an odd feeling, almost as if you can see the edge of the world. The snow has not yet fallen, but it is a clear night. I have heard rumors that the Northern Lights might be visible tonight! However, one thing we have not seen is a polar bear. It upsets me a little, but I know that good things come to those who wait.

Lindsay