Polar bear.
Polar bears gather on the shores of Hudson Bay each winter to wait for the bay to freeze so they can hunt seals out on the ice. Credit: Ralph Clevenger photo

Join the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for its April Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series presentation of “White Bears of the North,” featuring nature photographer Ralph Clevenger.

The discussion will explore the habitats of two remarkable species of bears — polar bears and Kermode bears — highlighting their unique connection to the sea and emphasizing the fragility of the ecosystems upon which they are dependent.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18. The cost is free for SBMM Navigators Circle members; $10 for all other SBMM members; and $20 for the general public. SBMM members will enjoy a pre-lecture reception from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Register for the event here: bit.ly/43wTNkH.

Clevenger’s presentation serves as a complementary piece to his current SBMM exhibition, “Ice Bear,” showcasing his breathtaking images and narrating his adventures photographing the bears in their natural habitats.

Reflecting on his experiences, Clevenger said, “I’ve been fortunate to photograph wildlife around the world, and the polar bears of Hudson Bay and spirit bears of western Canada stand out as favorites. I’m very humbled in the presence of these majestic animals.”

Clevenger spent an eight-day trip with Frontiers North Adventures exploring the shores of Hudson Bay near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. As temperatures drop and Hudson Bay begins to freeze, increasing numbers of bears move toward the coast and congregate along the shores of the bay, waiting until they can journey onto the ice and begin feeding again. Clevenger will discuss the important role polar bears play in one of the harshest environments on Earth, and what we might lose as the arctic warms.

Similarly, in the wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest along British Columbia’s western coast, Clevenger encountered Kermode bears, also known as spirit bears. Revered by the First Nation peoples, spirit bears serve as important figures in indigenous folklore, symbolizing a connection to the past. Traveling aboard a converted tugboat, Clevenger immersed himself in the fjords and surrounding habitat, capturing not only spirit bears but also whales and eagles alike — witnessing firsthand the significant challenges these animals are facing as the climate changes around them.

The SBMM Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series is sponsored by Marie Morrisroe.