#thankfulproject | an experience

Today, I'm joining up with Chasing Happy for her November Thankful Project. Each day this month she has come up with a topic, and today's prompt is: an experience. 

Back in October 2011, I was given the incredible opportunity to participate in Polar Bear International's Leadership Camp.  I traveled to Churchill, MB, polar bear capital of the world, to join several other educators from zoos and aquariums across North America and experience polar bears in the wild and learn about the factors threatening their existence.

I am thankful for Ursus maritimus, the stunning iconic Arctic species we call the polar bear. I am thankful that the country I call home proudly supports a large majority of the world's polar bears and that organizations like Polar Bears International and the 5 polar bear nations, including Canada and the US, are committed to protecting the integrity of this species for future generations. Most of all, I am extremely thankful for being given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to have experienced the big white bear in the wild.

If you're interested in reading more about my trip, including photographs I took, look here:

Off to Change the World

Part 1 | The Beginning of an Adventure

Part 2 | Greetings from Churchill!

Part 3 | Looking into the Eyes of a Big White Bear

Part 4 | Tying it All Together

Part 5 | Back to Reality

The Thankful Project recap:

Day 3 | a place

Do you have an experience you're thankful for?