GBF continues to be actively involved in grizzly bear recovery efforts throughout the lower 48 states in order to secure a stable plan that is based on solid science and applied management. The foundation has also worked with the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) Conservation Initiative which aims to protect grizzly bear linkage zones and habitat in Canada and the United States.

BEAR HUNTING: BAITING, HOUND, SPRING AND DEN HUNTS

GBF supports ethical hunting, but is against baiting and considers the use of dogs - as well as spring and den hunting - unnecessary, inappropriate, and significantly stressful for bears. The foundation plans to address these issues by working with citizen groups, environmental organizations and agencies to continue education campaigns and also combine efforts and resources with other groups. GBF has also had the opportunity to testify before Congress against the unethical baiting of bears.

SKEENA HEADWATERS PROJECT

GBF is in its third year of the Skeena Headwaters Project. The Skeena region in northwestern BC is one of the world's rarest resources. Its diversity and abundance of brown bear, wolf, wild salmon, woodland caribou, native artifact, and pristine wilderness are unrivaled in all but a few precious regions in the world. To read more about the project, click here.

POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRADE OF BEAR BODY PARTS

The international trade of bear parts is increasing at an alarming rate. GBF continues to support efforts to stop the trafficking of bear parts, and the work done by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (C.I.T.E.S.) so that they can develop more effective education and enforcement programs.

SPIRIT BEAR

In collaboration with the Kitasoo and Heiltsuk Tribes in British Columbia, Canada, the foundation is working to help establish a 655,000-acre Spirit Bear Wilderness Reserve in order to protect the rare, white Kermode bear and its fragile ancient rainforest home on B.C.s mid-coast.

MALAYAN SUN BEARS

Habitat loss, poaching for the bear parts trade, and conflicts with humans are exerting significant impacts throughout the sun bears range and threatens its survival.The foundation hopes to develop a program that can generate and integrate scientific information on bear ecology, biology, and behavior so that conservation strategies can be developed to protect the bears and their habitat.

POLAR BEARS, ARCTIC ECOSYSTEMS, AND GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Polar bears are under increasing pressure from habitat loss and destruction due to oil and gas development, toxic wastes, unregulated eco-tourism operations, global warming and seal and fish over-harvesting. The foundation has addressed these issues, conservation strategies and reviewed provincial and federal plans in order to develop new plans to improve polar bear conservation.