70º North and fully into the Arctic. Despite the extreme latitude my only chance of seeing a polar bear was that of a corpse, a taxidermied beast. A little ironic? Perhaps. But humans are clever and will make do. In the northern outpost of Hammerfest Norway what the humans did was create the Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society.
The Ice Bear Club started as part daydream, part science, and part tourist bait. The club has evolved into an organization that devotes much of its energy into polar bear conservation and Arctic education.
I paid my dues in Norwegian Crowns and became member number 253631. You can only join in-person. Maybe some day I’ll get to return so I can attend the annual meeting.
The Royal and Ancient Polar Bear Society is an inspiration for Ursus Iowa. I am sure it was easy to scoff at the start of that group. The origin story of Ursus Iowa was a dream too. Maybe even an “unrealistic” effort to change the status quo. But when do “realistic” people ever change their corner of the world?
We will become a meaningful source for education and advocacy of the Black Bear in Iowa. We do plan to create an organization that will transcend time. One difference is we don’t ever intended to open a museum or sell magnets and knick knacks.
Spring is coming. Bears are rousing in the Northern Hemisphere, boars with hunger, sows with cubs. To what kind of world will they awake? In Norway, they will roam in protection of the law. For now in Iowa, they will wander fearfully, with no law at all.
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