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We actively engage in policy and conservation plans through participation in local, national, and international groups.
We provide the best available science to governments, institutions, and policy makers, as well as to the general public, empowering them to act in the best interests of polar bears and their threatened sea ice habitat.
Because of our team’s long history with polar bear research, our staff scientists are uniquely positioned to provide expert testimony on policies that impact polar bear survival. A good example of this is our recent analysis of the risks posed to denning families by proposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a key polar bear denning area. Our staff scientists prepared expert commentary on the threats to polar bear moms and cubs and our chief scientist, Dr. Steven Amstrup, testified before Congress.
In addition, research spearheaded by Dr. Amstrup, then with the U.S. Geological Survey, led to the polar bears’ listing as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act — the first species listed under the act due to habitat loss as a direct result of human-caused climate change.
Finally, we know that people around the world have extraordinary power to influence climate policy, at all levels of government. Through awareness day campaigns and distributing climate action tools, we empower communities to call for and enact climate solutions.
We also engage in high-level outreach with local, regional, and national government agencies whose work impacts polar bears, including contributing to conservation plans and supporting coexistence efforts to help communities live safely with their bears. In addition, we take part in the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) Climate Talks, working to address the overarching threat to polar bears: climate change.
We were invited to take part in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Polar Bear Conservation Management Plan.
Every year, we participate in the U.N. Climate Talks, speaking up for polar bears, a healthy Arctic ecosystem, and a livable planet for all of us.
With partners, we’re supporting the efforts of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, to become the world’s first bear smart community.
Because polar bears roam across five nations and are unaware of national boundaries, our staff scientists and policy experts regularly participate in circumpolar conservation and management groups, including:
Serving as observers to the Polar Bear Range States, composed of representatives from the five polar bear nations (Canada, Greenland, Norway, the U.S. and Russia). This includes taking part in its Conflict Working Group and Climate Communications Working Group, which focus on promoting human - bear coexistence and sharing how climate change impacts polar bears.
Serving on the IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group, which includes top scientists studying polar bears. This group meets every three to four years and serves as the Scientific Advisory Board to the Polar Bear Range States.
Conducting research to support the Polar Bear Range States’ implementation of its conservation action plan.
We focus on projects with the greatest impact on polar bear conservation.
We work with partners on projects related to conflict-reduction, with a goal of helping polar bears and people live safely with each other.
The Power of Youth
Recently, Hayden Moran, Polar Bears International’s programs coordinator, traveled to Washington, D.C., to take part in the 2026 Upwell Conference.
Read more
Article | 5 min | Jun 15, 2026
Why is polar bear trade and sport hunting legal?
And what is Polar Bears International’s position?
Article | 7 min | Apr 14, 2026
The Impact of Government Polar Bear Programs: United States
At a time when too many in power refuse to acknowledge the reality of climate change and question the value of government-supported scientific research, some of those who have been intimately involved in the program express concern about what is at stake
Article | 8 min | Dec 9, 2025