At The Paper Bear, we believe that storytelling has the power to inspire change. This belief drives our mission to use film and media to spotlight critical environmental issues. Recently, we collaborated with The Nature Conservancy in a special event held at Florida State University's Student Union Theater in Tallahassee, focused on one of the causes closest to our hearts: the incredible biodiversity of the Florida Panhandle.
A Night of Collaboration and Conservation: A Successful Initiative
The event brought together a diverse audience of students, conservationists, filmmakers, local community members, and key partners, all eager to learn about the vital importance of preserving the Florida Panhandle's unique ecosystems.
After a stirring introduction by one of our young ambassadors, Emerson Blue, our co-founder and director, Arix Zalace, took the stage and spoke about The Paper Bear's unique vision of using the power of film not only to entertain but also to educate and inspire action. He emphasized the organization's role in engaging people with the issues that matter, creating content that moves people to care deeply about the natural world and to take action to protect it. He also highlighted upcoming partnerships with organizations like Alaqua Animal Refuge, which plans to build the area's first wildlife refuge and education center with the help of some animated characters from our feature film.
The Nature Conservancy's Insight
Following Arix's introduction, representatives from The Nature Conservancy took the stage to provide a compelling overview of the rich biodiversity in the Florida Panhandle. This region, often referred to as one of the most biodiverse areas in the United States, is home to an astonishing variety of plant and animal species, many of which are rare and endangered. From the ancient longleaf pine forests to the pristine wetlands, the Panhandle is a natural treasure that must be preserved.
The Nature Conservancy's experts highlighted the ongoing threats to these ecosystems, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. They emphasized the importance of strategic conservation efforts, including land protection and habitat restoration, to safeguard the region's biodiversity for future generations.
A Call to Action: Watch, Learn, Share
The event at FSU was not just about raising awareness—it was about inspiring action. We were thrilled to see so many people eager to learn and get involved, and we want to extend that invitation to all of you. We're excited to share the full presentation from the event with you and hope you'll join us in our mission to protect the Florida Panhandle's biodiversity.
Watch the full presentation below to hear more from The Nature Conservancy and The Paper Bear about why the Florida Panhandle's biodiversity matters and what you can do to help protect it.
After watching, please share this presentation with your friends, family, and social networks. The more people who understand the importance of this region, the stronger our collective efforts will be in preserving it for future generations. Let's inspire action together.
How You Can Help
- Spread the word: Share the presentation and our upcoming film trailer (coming soon!) on your social media channels. Every share helps raise awareness.
- Get involved locally: Support conservation efforts in your community by volunteering with organizations like The Nature Conservancy or The Paper Bear.
- Donate: Consider donating to The Paper Bear or The Nature Conservancy to help fund ongoing conservation projects and film production.
- Purchase Limited Series Fine Art: The director of our first feature film, Arix Zalace, spent thousands of hours documenting Florida black bears. He created a limited series of prints highlighting several critical moments with the bears to commemorate that time. Customize and purchase one for your home or office today.
- Stay informed: Follow The Paper Bear on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on our film projects and upcoming events.
Together, we can make a difference. Let's use the power of storytelling to protect the incredible biodiversity of the Florida Panhandle and the planet as a whole. Thank you for your support; we look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months.