“Polar Bears of Hudson Bay” presentation comes to Plains on March 10

PLAINS — Each year, in mid to late October, polar bears move to the Cape Churchill area on the west coast of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. Sanders County Arts Council brings Frank Tyro to Plains to share his knowledge, insight and photography of this fascinating area and its animals onSunday, March 10 at 3 p.m. in the Plains United Methodist Church, 210 W. Meany. Tickets of $4 are available at First Security Banks in Plains and Thompson Falls, and Garden Gift and Floral in Plains or at the door. Call 826-3600 for information.

Polar bears understand that fresh water ice floes will be coming down the large rivers and pack against Cape Churchill by the “wagnertok,” or northwest winds. This becomes the first ice shelf from which the bears can hunt ringed seals, their primary food source.

The program will focus on the bears and other animals that inhabit this area and the Great Bear Foundation’s trips to bring people to learn about the geology and ecology of this special place. A short segment from the upcoming film “Walking Bear Comes Home” will also be shown about the life and work of Dr. Charles Jonkel, the first scientist to systematically study polar bears. Frank Tyro, the presenter, has traveled to Churchill 33 times over a period of 29 years and observed the animals and changes in the climate and attitudes toward bears.

Frank Tyro has worked at Salish Kootenai College (SKC) in Pablo since 1984. He brought local public television to the Flathead Reservation in 1987. Frank’s background includes 42 years in broadcast, producing television documentaries and teaching. Frank is a recurrent visitor to Churchill, Manitoba with the Great Bear Foundation Arctic Ecology field trips as a volunteer.

Many awards for his filmmaking have been bestowed on Frank Tyro including Finalist in the International Wildlife Film Festival and Platinum Best of Show Cultural Documentary. He is a past president of the Montana Public Television Association. He lives in Pablo, with his wife, Dr. Lori Lambert and their rescued sled dogs.