Top teen heads to Canada to
study polar bears on behalf
of Louisville Zoo

 Atherton High School junior Emily Goldstein, 16, will soon join 15 other high school students from around the world as she travels to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, to study polar bears during their fall migration and collect field data with scientists.

The Louisville Zoo selected Goldstein to be the Zoo’s ambassador during Polar Bear International’s week-long Polar Bear Leadership Camp. The camp, which was founded in 2004, includes intense field work that exposes students to all sides of the issues facing polar bears and humans in the Churchill region.

“Emily is special,” Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak said. “She has an overwhelming love for animals, is bright and is passionate about our mission of bettering the bond between people and our planet. I know she will come away from the experience captivated and enthralled, ready to tell the world about what she learned.”

Goldstein, who leaves for Churchill Sept. 28 and returns Oct. 8, said she is definitely excited to be a part of this important endeavor. 

“I can’t imagine a world without polar bears,” she said. “These magnificent animals exemplify the awesome beauty of the Artic. Yet polar bears and their ecosystem are on the brink of extinction and destruction, threatened by our abuse and neglect. The mighty, magnificent polar bear has become a symbol of hope for a change in our global policies, in our need to fix the damage the human race has caused. It is my dream that I will be able to join the Louisville Zoo and Polar Bear International in their endeavor to educate the world about these vital issues.”

Goldstein’s love for animals began when she was very young, and at age 13 she began volunteering for the Zoo. So far, she has more than 400 volunteer hours and is the Vice President of the Zoo’s Youth Board. She even nabbed the 2007 Giraffe Area Youth Volunteer Award.

In 2006 she started a recycling program to collect aluminum can tabs for the Zoo’s Animal Enrichment Fund. So far, she has raised more than $300.

Goldstein, who holds a 4.0 grade point average, established the Marine Biology Club at Atherton High School a year ago and was elected president. She led the writing of a petition against overfishing from the world’s oceans that was sent to Washington D.C, organized a club trip to Chicago (which included fundraising) and organized a booth at the Zoo during Earth Day to educate visitors about overfishing and global warming.

Her mother Debbie said the Goldstein home is becoming “green” because of Emily’s influence.

“We recycle everything, use fluorescent bulbs, have turned the water heater and thermostat back, and she even makes me unplug everything after we use it … the computer, TV and more. I didn’t realize that they suck energy even when they are not on,” Debbie said. “Emily is truly educating us.”

Emily Goldstein said her goal is to one day be a zoo veterinarian and eventually a zoo director.

“I have no doubt Emily will be kicking me out of my chair someday,” Walczak smiled.

Once Emily returns home from Polar Bear Leadership Camp, she will create a forward action plan to help educate her peers and the Louisville community to create a new mind-set about conservation issues.

  For more information on Polar Bear International’s week-long Polar Bear Leadership Camp, visit www.polarbearsinternational.org.

 

-- MEDIA OPPORTUNITY --

If you would like to interview Emily before she heads to Canada, contact Media Relations Manager Kara Bussabarger at 502-238-5331.

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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