The intrepid explorations of wildlife journalists and photographers captive the imagination and inspire many of us to consider an adventure of our own. Want to experience nature and wildlife up close, immerse yourself in the raw energy and amazing beauty of unspoilt lands?

For those National Geographic fans and creature seekers Vital Ground are hosting two tours to beautiful Knight Inlet, British Columbia in 2010. One of the premier viewing areas in North America for bears and other wildlife—all set amidst the dramatic snow-capped peaks of Canada’s rugged western coastline.

The eco-tour includes guided field trips with nature experts that are passionate about preservation and who are happy to pass on their knowledge for an ‘exciting educational experience’ you won’t forget.

Good for Grizzlies: best of all this tour benefits the bears as proceeds are put towards the preservation efforts of Vital Ground, learn more here.

Knight Inlet Lodge, a founding member of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia, will provide accommodations.

The lodge is unique in that it is a floating complex located in Knight Inlet’s Glendale Cove. The remote location means that beautiful scenery and spectacular wildlife viewing are right outside your door.

Learn about itineraries, view photos, read past participant reviews, watch a promotional video, and secure your reservation online now by clicking below!

Spring trip: May 15-21, 2010
Fall trip: October 13-17, 2010

Our trips sell out very quickly, so we encourage you to book today online or phone us directly at 406-549-8650.

Watch a new Wild Bear Adventure promotional video on YouTube here.
Watch a video provided by Knight Inlet Lodge here.
Read accounts from previous Wild Bear Adventures here.

Explore new worlds and journey deep into the jungle on the adventure of a lifetime!

In this issue of Bare Essentials ‘OUT NOW’ our sports spy gets muddy on a marathon in Costa Rica, we talk tribal sports with the athletes of Last Woman Standing and serve up some Ice Age Appetizers for a Prehistoric Party!

Click below for a sneak peak….

Bare Essentials unleashes the wild side in people inspiring an adventurous appetite for life and a reconnection with nature. Diverse in topic we delight in the daring and different like learning how to paraglide in Peru or carve a castle out of a carrot!

All you need for a Life of Action can be found in Bare Essentials…

I am excited to announce a tremendous conservation opportunity and the launch of Vital Ground’s new Strength of Connections Campaign. This will be Vital Ground’s largest, most ambitious conservation fund raising effort since its founding in 1990. The $2 million campaign will run from now through our 20th anniversary year of 2010.

As we embark on this momentous challenge, I am pleased to report that we have already secured contributions or pledges of nearly $430,000, or close to 22% of our campaign goal. This includes a very generous pledge of support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

This provisional grant up to $196,000 via the Northwest Wildlife Conservation Initiative is specifically to help us secure additional grizzly bear habitat at one of Vital Ground’s premier project areas, Bismark Meadows, located in the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. The grant requires a 5:1 match and must be met by October 2010.

Vital Ground has already acquired two critical parcels of grizzly bear spring habitat in Bismark Meadows. We have a third parcel under option agreement and a fourth is actively for sale. Your contribution today will help Vital Ground bring these two additional properties under conservation ownership, and allow us to continue working to protect other vitally important core habitat and linkages in Grizzly Country.

The online brochure located here describes how the Vital Ground’s Strength of Connections Campaign will address the issue of habitat fragmentation in the northern Rockies head-on by permanently protecting crucial habitat on private lands for the benefit of grizzly bears and other wildlife.

Please help us respond to this urgent conservation challenge and matching grant opportunity by making a secure online donation today.

Thank you!

Who gets your Vote?

EPA’s Aging Initiative, Generations United and the Rachel Carson Council, Inc., are pleased to present the finalists for the second annual intergenerational photo, essay, and poetry Sense of Wonder contest. From a Sense of Wonder for the sea, the night sky, forests, birds, wildlife, and all that is beautiful to your eyes this years finalists express a love of nature that will inspire you!

“When we teach our eyes and ears and senses to focus on the wonders of nature, we open ourselves to the wonders around us.”

Register your vote to help decide this years winner!

Legendary Nature Documentarians National Geographic unite technology with the Wonders of a Wild World in one very insightful, ‘to the minute’ news widget!

Exploring nature with a positive curiosity helps create a generation of wildlife warriors who care for and understand how vital it is to protect our planet. In this months mission we introduce Operation Wild Child offering parents an opportunity to encourage their children to appreciate wildlife and feel empowered to take action, knowing their efforts are essential to the future of this earth.

The Mission: Integrate elements of the natural world into everyday family life. Embracing a new action attitude and the wildlife warrior way!

Objective: To help children find their voice and believe in their ability to influence change.

Important Information:
Guide to Teaching Young Children about Wildlife
Educating Kids About Wildlife

Resources: Curious Children make excellent students and information that is interactive offers an engaging platform to study the wonders of nature.  The following list includes quality resources that make learning about wildlife fun!

Websites
ARKhive: A visually rich treasury of natural history for your little ones to explore.
Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures: “Jungle Jack” Hanna takes television viewers around the world, teaching them about animals and having exciting adventures.
CBBC Children’s Animal Zone: Games, wallpapers, lessons in pet care and more.
Wildlife Watch:An environmental action club for kids.

Wildlife Activities for Kids: After site surfing has established a virtual interest in wildlife, its time to take the troops outside for a real life experience in nature.
Wildlife Gardner: explore the backyard and have an adventure at home.
Lets Go Outside: Neighborhood explorers creating memories outside.
Children and Nature: Building a movement to reconnect children and nature.

Become a Fresh Air Family: Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend Fresh Air Fund camps.The Fresh Air Fund Fact Sheet

Join Operation Wild Child and help raise funds and awareness for wildlife.

“Children are natures first and best defense but it is only through Action that they can make a difference”

OWC Fact Sheet