Watch Spirit Bear Youth Coalition founder and chairman, Simon Jackson, discuss the state of the spirit bear and the power of one on Global Toronto’s Morning Show.

Join hundreds of youth leaders from across Toronto and millions of engaged citizens globally this Sunday, November 20th, at 11am for TEDx Youth Toronto – a day of youth empowerment and inspiration, highlighted in part by an address from Spirit Bear Youth Coalition’s Simon Jackson.

TED talks began in California in 1984 with the goal to spread ideas; the upcoming TEDxYouth event on Sunday November 20 will do just that among young people all over the world.

The Toronto event has been chosen as an anchor event, meaning these talks will be broadcast for youth to see across the globe.

Twelve presenters with speak directly to 150 of Toronto’s young people and indirectly to countless others as the event is streamed live.

The 150 young leaders were chosen through a competitive application process and so we are really speaking to the best and brightest young people in Toronto.

All who attend and watch will be encouraged to see beyond constraints of age, inexperience and dependence in order to find their passion, take action and make a difference in areas that interest them.

TEDx Youth Toronto organizers have filmed profiles of each speaker, which are available online, to give people a sense of who we are and the messages we will be sharing.

While seats for the live talks are limited to 150 pre-selected young people, anyone can go online to http://tedxyouthtoronto.ca/ to watch live on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Join us for what will be a great day of hope!

Spirit Bear Youth Coalition founder and chairman Simon Jackson will be delivering the keynote address to this year’s Family Services of Greater Vancouver Annual General Meeting.

Sharing his message of the power of one, Simon will underscore that the campaign to save the spirit bear can be duplicated for any issue facing our world, including family services, with the hope that each organization can learn from each other to become better advocates for the voiceless.

There are two major preventable threats to the spirit bear: an urgent need for a meaningful sanctuary in their last intact ecosystem and the long term concern of oil spills from tanker traffic in the waters within this wilderness.

While the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is helping lead the campaign to establish a sanctuary for the spirit bear that includes conserving the final unprotected third of its critical habitat and ensuring that bears within the region are protected from trophy hunting, partner organizations – Pacific Wild, Dogwood Initiative, and Coastal First Nations – are working hard to address the long term threat to both the spirit bear and the Great Bear Rainforest as a whole: proposed oil tanker traffic.

And we need your help to inform decision makers that the proposed Enbridge pipeline from Alberta’s oil sands to the BC coast is one that can be easily resolved: shift the route.

The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is not against economic growth for Canada.

And the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition doesn’t seek to shut down Canada’s oil sands (this is simply not a debate the Youth Coalition is engaged in; it is one where all parties must work together to find innovative opportunities to improve the oil sands’ environmental impact without taking away from its role in the Canadian economy).

In fact, the Youth Coalition isn’t even against the Enbridge pipeline. We favour an existing oil pipeline-tanker route, one that would not see tanker traffic traverse some of the most dangerous and ecologically important waters on Canada’s west coast.

With an existing pipeline from Alberta to Vancouver and ongoing tanker traffic being routed from the Port of Vancouver to points overseas, there is a safe, economically viable alternative to building a new pipeline to the community of Kitimat, BC. After all, why build new, costly infrastructure when an existing, workable system already exists.

If the Enbridge pipeline in its current form is given the green light, tanker traffic will begin moving oil from Kitimat, past the spirit bear’s key habitat on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island, to China.

There is no question that Enbridge has the best of intentions with its project and will do its utmost to prevent any possible spills from its tanker traffic in this sensitive ecosystem.

But even the best of intentions can fall victim to human error.

If the Exxon Valdez tanker-caused oil spill in Alaska or the BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico taught us anything, it’s that unthinkable accidents happen and, when they do, the consequences can be both devastating and beyond repair.

Two major shipping accidents have happened in recent years in the narrow passages surrounding the spirit bear’s habitat – the same exact waters Enbridge oil tankers will travel.

Given the spirit bear’s dependence on its marine ecosystem – salmon, the region’s lifeblood, especially – any oil spill will almost certainly wipe out the genetically unique subspecies.

And when speaking of the very last opportunity to safeguard a bear worth its weight, both ecologically and economically, in gold, oil tankers in the land of the spirit bear simply are not worth the risk.

As global citizens, we all have a stake in the future of this wilderness that supports not only the spirit bear, but our planet – it is a region with more life per square inch than the tropical rainforest in Brazil, is the last large area of intact temperate rainforest on Earth and is one of the most important carbon sinks in the world.

Your voice must be heard in this debate and we need everyone to work with Canada to find a reasonable balance that creates jobs, increases the nation’s economic potential, and protects a bear far to important to the world to lose.

Help the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition articulate our balanced position. Pipeline and oil exports: YES. Pipeline and oil exports within the land of the spirit bear: NO.

Together, we can create a better economic future for Canada and, together, we can save the spirit bear for generations to come.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Pacific Wild | Dogwood Initiative | Global TV Spirit Bear Series

Dear Friends of the Spirit Bear,

There are two major preventable threats to the spirit bear: an urgent need for a meaningful sanctuary in their last intact ecosystem and the long term concern of oil spills from tanker traffic in the waters within this wilderness.

Today, we need your help on both fronts to save the spirit bear.

1. URGENT REQUEST: Sign the petition to create sanctuary for the spirit bear and be part of a unique book being delivered to BC Premier Clark.

2. URGENT REQUEST: Register by October 6th to have your voice heard by the Canadian government review panel that will decide if tanker traffic will be allowed in spirit bear waters. You don’t have to attend the panel in person and you don’t have to live in Canada, but this will be the best forum to be heard on this issue.

SANCTUARY FOR THE SPIRIT BEAR

The fall coastal bear trophy hunt has begun. With its start, the future of the spirit bear is in jeopardy.

While it is illegal to hunt the white Kermode bear, within 98% of its range – including protected areas – it is legal to hunt the black Kermode bear that carries and produces the unique white gene. A loss of either bear is devastating to the genetic diversity of this subspecies.

Moreover, the excessive trophy hunting of grizzly bears is forcing these bruins into Kermode habitat and creating new predators for the white bear.

Our goal is to create a sanctuary for the spirit bear by conserving the final, unprotected third of its last intact habitat (the Green-Sheep Passage/Tolmie Operating Area) and ensuring this entire wilderness is a true sanctuary, free from trophy hunting.

The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is asking everyone who cares about the future of this remarkable creature to please take a moment to write British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and, if you live in BC, your MLA in order to voice your support for the creation of a sanctuary for the Kermode.

We believe that this issue is a family values issue and a priority for BC families and, indeed, families globally: Our decision makers need to know that you agree.

For more information: The Case to Stop the Coastal Bear Trophy Hunt

THREAT OF OIL SPILLS IN SPIRIT BEAR WATERS

The long term threat to both the spirit bear and the Great Bear Rainforest as a whole is a proposed new oil pipeline that would send oil tanker traffic through the dangerous and ecologically sensitive waters of the spirit bear’s last intact ecosystem.

To be clear: the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is not against the proposed Enbridge pipeline – we are in favor of shifting the pipeline route so oil tanker traffic does not travel through spirit bear waters.

If the Exxon Valdez tanker-caused oil spill in Alaska or the BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico taught us anything, it’s that unthinkable accidents happen and, when they do, the consequences can be both devastating and beyond repair.

Two major shipping accidents have happened in recent years in the narrow passages surrounding the spirit bear’s habitat – the same exact waters Enbridge oil tankers will travel.

Given the spirit bear’s dependence on its marine ecosystem – salmon, the region’s lifeblood, especially – any oil spill will almost certainly wipe out the genetically unique subspecies.

As global citizens, we all have a stake in the future of this globally critical wilderness. Your voice must be heard in this debate and we need everyone to work with Canada to find a reasonable balance that creates jobs, increases the nation’s economic potential, and protects a bear far to important to the world to lose.

Help the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition articulate our balanced position. Pipeline and oil exports: YES. Pipeline and oil exports within the land of the spirit bear: NO.

For more information: The Case for an Alternative Pipeline Route to Protect the Spirit Bear

FIVE WAYS TO SAVE THE SPIRIT BEAR:

1) Email, write and/or phone BC Premier Christy Clark and your elected representative
2) Sign the petition to stop this hunt
3) Register to be heard during the Canadian government’s review panel on oil tankers in spirit bear waters
4) Adopt-a-Spirit Bear and keep up-to-date on our campaign to create a sanctuary for the spirit bear
5) Consider a one-time donation to the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition to aid our volunteer-run campaign

FIVE WAYS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE:

1) Follow us on Twitter @SpiritBearYouth
2) Join our Facebook group
3) Visit www.spiritbearyouth.org and www.adoptaspiritbear.org
4) Become a member
5) Sign-up for our new education program

FOR MORE UPDATES:

Visit our news section to see recent media coverage from the likes of the Globe and Mail; look at new images captured by National Geographic for their recent cover story on the spirit bear; learn about our public outreach efforts in places such as Alaska; find out how you can participate in upcoming events hosted by our partners including the Jane Goodall Institute; and help us celebrate our successes that you’ve made possible – most recently Explore Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 and Top Green Leader distinctions.

And be sure to watch the Global TV Spirit Bear Series featured recently on the Newshour!

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to save the spirit bear. I truly believe that, together, we can and will save our spirit bear for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Simon Jackson
Founder and Chairman, Spirit Bear Youth Coalition

There are two major preventable threats to the spirit bear: an urgent need for a meaningful sanctuary in their last intact ecosystem and the long term concern of oil spills from tanker traffic in the waters within this wilderness.

Today, you have the opportunity to help prevent oil spills in this globally critical ecosystem.

We are asking you, on behalf of our partners, to URGENTLY make your voice heard on behalf of the spirit bear by OCTOBER 6TH.

Canadian decision makers must hear your opinion as they prepare to decide if oil tankers will be permitted to move through the waters in the home of the spirit bear.

Register today or by October 6th to be heard during the Canadian government review panel on the proposed Enbridge pipeline.

You don’t have to attend in person and you don’t have to live in Canada, but this will be the best forum to be heard on this issue. And the spirit bear needs your help.

SPIRIT BEAR YOUTH COALITION AND OUR PIPELINE-OIL TANKER POSITION

While the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is helping lead the campaign to establish a sanctuary for the spirit bear that includes conserving the final unprotected third of its critical habitat and ensuring that bears within the region are protected from trophy hunting, partner organizations – Pacific Wild, Dogwood Initiative, and Coastal First Nations – are working hard to address the long term threat to both the spirit bear and the Great Bear Rainforest as a whole: proposed oil tanker traffic.

And we need your help to inform decision makers that the proposed Enbridge pipeline from Alberta’s oil sands to the BC coast is one that can be easily resolved: shift the route.

The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is not against economic growth for Canada.

And the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition doesn’t seek to shut down Canada’s oil sands (this is simply not a debate the Youth Coalition is engaged in; it is one where all parties must work together to find innovative opportunities to improve the oil sands’ environmental impact without taking away from its role in the Canadian economy).

In fact, the Youth Coalition isn’t even against the Enbridge pipeline. We favour an existing oil pipeline-tanker route, one that would not see tanker traffic traverse some of the most dangerous and ecologically important waters on Canada’s west coast.

With an existing pipeline from Alberta to Vancouver and ongoing tanker traffic being routed from the Port of Vancouver to points overseas, there is a safe, economically viable alternative to building a new pipeline to the community of Kitimat, BC. After all, why build new, costly infrastructure when an existing, workable system already exists.

If the Enbridge pipeline in its current form is given the green light, tanker traffic will begin moving oil from Kitimat, past the spirit bear’s key habitat on Gribbell Island and Princess Royal Island, to China.

There is no question that Enbridge has the best of intentions with its project and will do its utmost to prevent any possible spills from its tanker traffic in this sensitive ecosystem.

But even the best of intentions can fall victim to human error.

If the Exxon Valdez tanker-caused oil spill in Alaska or the BP oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico taught us anything, it’s that unthinkable accidents happen and, when they do, the consequences can be both devastating and beyond repair.

Two major shipping accidents have happened in recent years in the narrow passages surrounding the spirit bear’s habitat – the same exact waters Enbridge oil tankers will travel.

Given the spirit bear’s dependence on its marine ecosystem – salmon, the region’s lifeblood, especially – any oil spill will almost certainly wipe out the genetically unique subspecies.

And when speaking of the very last opportunity to safeguard a bear worth its weight, both ecologically and economically, in gold, oil tankers in the land of the spirit bear simply are not worth the risk.

As global citizens, we all have a stake in the future of this wilderness that supports not only the spirit bear, but our planet – it is a region with more life per square inch than the tropical rainforest in Brazil, is the last large area of intact temperate rainforest on Earth and is one of the most important carbon sinks in the world.

Your voice must be heard in this debate and we need everyone to work with Canada to find a reasonable balance that creates jobs, increases the nation’s economic potential, and protects a bear far to important to the world to lose.

Help the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition articulate our balanced position. Pipeline and oil exports: YES. Pipeline and oil exports within the land of the spirit bear: NO.

Together, we can create a better economic future for Canada and, together, we can save the spirit bear for generations to come.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Pacific Wild | Dogwood Initiative | Global TV Spirit Bear Series

The fall coastal bear trophy hunt has begun. With its start, the future of the spirit bear is in jeopardy.

While it is illegal to hunt the white Kermode bear, within 98% of its range – including protected areas – it is legal to hunt the black Kermode bear that carries and produces the unique white gene. A loss of either bear is devastating to the genetic diversity of this subspecies.

Our goal is to create a sanctuary for the spirit bear by conserving the final, unprotected third of its last intact habitat (the Green-Sheep Passage/Tolmie Operating Area) and stopping the coastal bear trophy hunt.

The Spirit Bear Youth Coalition is asking everyone who cares about the future of this remarkable creature to please take a moment to write British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and, if you live in BC, your MLA in order to voice your support for the creation of a sanctuary for the Kermode.

We believe that this issue is a family values issue and a priority for BC families and, indeed, families globally: Our decision makers need to know that you agree.

FIVE WAYS TO SAVE THE SPIRIT BEAR:

1) Email, write and/or phone BC Premier Christy Clark and your elected representative
2) Sign the petition to stop this hunt
3) Adopt-a-Spirit Bear and keep up-to-date on our campaign to create a sanctuary for the spirit bear
4) Consider a donation to the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition to aid our volunteer-run campaign
5) Forward this message to your friends and family and help us spread the word with an urgent call to action

FIVE WAYS TO STAY UP-TO-DATE:

1) Follow us on Twitter @SpiritBearYouth
2) Join our Facebook group
3) Visit www.spiritbearyouth.org and www.adoptaspiritbear.org
4) Become a member
5) Sign-up for our new education program

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Case to Save the Spirit Bear | The Case to Stop the Coastal Bear Trophy Hunt | Global TV Spirit Bear Series

A photography exhibition examining the bushmeat trade and what you can do to help.
Presented by the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and We Animals, featuring photographs by Jo-Anne McArthur.

Location: The Gladstone Gallery at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto

Dates: September 22- September 28 (Free), 12pm-5pm

Join us for the closing night reception on September 29 at 6pm!
With special guests:
Jo-Anne McArthur, We Animals
Dr. Peter Apell, Jane Goodall Institute, Uganda
Andrew Westoll, author of The Chimps of Fauna Sanctuary

Visit www.janegoodall.ca for more information and to purchase tickets.

Spirit Bear Youth Coalition founder and chairman Simon Jackson will join Fanny Kiefer live on Studio 4 on Shaw Cable.

Watch the interview to learn about the impending coastal bear trophy hunt and the serious threat it poses to the future of the Kermode subspecies.

Read the Globe and Mail’s profile on Spirit Bear Youth Coalition founder Simon Jackson and his thoughts on the future of the spirit bear.