In March 2018, The Mountain launched its new “Protect” line of T-shirts, hats, mugs and tote bags featuring some of the globe’s most vulnerable, threatened or endangered animal species. There’s a higher purpose behind Protect besides just putting out jaw-dropping images of animals: The Mountain is dedicating a percentage of Protect sales back to seven non-profit conservation organizations working to ensure a future on these magnificent creatures. Today, we take a deeper look at one of those seven organizations were partnering with.

WHO: Polar Bears International

WHERE: The US office is based in Bozeman, Montana.

THE SITUATION: Populations in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia are classified as a vulnerable species. In May 2008, the United States listed them as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Polar Bear International says that changing climate and subsequent loss of sea ice means could mean we lose wild polar bears by 2100. Sea ice loss from climate change is the cause.

WHAT THEY DO (NUTSHELL VERSION): Working across the Arctic, PBI strives to conserve polar bears and the ice they depend on for survival.

WHAT THEY DO (DETAILS): PBI’s research team just returned from Norway where they completed maternal den spring field work for 2018. They will return to the field for the fall polar bear migration in late October.

PBI is getting ready for July 15, which is “Arctic Sea Ice Day” and Polar Bear Week which is November 5 - 9.

Here’s a link to a great new video PBI just completed about their organization and their work.