Milwaukee County Zoo & Polar Bears International
Recognize We Energies with “Paw of Approval Award”

(May 2011)

Solar panels installed at the Zoo's drive-in gates
We Energies helped to fund the solar panels now in place at the Zoo admission gates.
These panels provide enough energy to offset what is used by the gates on an annual basis.

We Energies has been a conservation steward and proud partner of the Milwaukee County Zoo for many years. It is because of this partnership that Polar Bears International (PBI) President, Robert Buchanan, and Zoo Director, Charles Wikenhauser, will present PBI’s “Paw of Approval Award” to We Energies in a special presentation at the Zoo on Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

This PBI award is designed for key partners who have demonstrated excellence in action for polar bears. We Energies’ projects on behalf of the Zoo focus on the installation of alternative sources of energy which are proven technologies and actions that show an overall reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

“We are grateful to We Energies for being an active partner with the Milwaukee County Zoo for so many years, helping us achieve our core mission of conservation, says Zoo Director Charles Wikenhauser.  “With our most recent solar panel collaborative project, it shows We Energies is a leader in environmental stewardship within the community, and that it is deserving of the Paw of Approval Award.”

A solar flair installed near Lake EvinrudeWe Energies’ partnership with the Zoo dates back many years. In 1999, We Energies donated a 0.800k W solar electric “tracker” to the Zoo, which generated electricity at the park for more than a decade. In 2010, the tracker was replaced with a “solar flair.” This state of the art device produces about 1,400 k Wh/year – enough to power an average home for about 6 weeks. Zoo visitors can see the flower-like structure near the Polar Bear Exhibit and monitor its performance on an electronic display in the Lakeview Place restaurant.

Also in 2010, We Energies helped fund 8 pole-mounted solar systems at the Zoo drive-in admission gates. We Energies provided $27,000 toward the project through the company’s non-profit renewable energy grant program. The solar panels provide enough energy to offset what is used by the gates each year, about 14,406 k Wh. You can even monitor the solar panel energy production through this web site.

“We are honored to accept this award from the Milwaukee County Zoo and Polar Bears International,” says Joan Shafer, vice president of customer service at We Energies. “We Energies has been a proud partner of the Zoo for many years and it’s been rewarding to see these renewable energy projects contribute to their mission.”

Polar Bears International is the world’s leading polar bear conservation group. It began awarding the “Paw of Approval” program in the fall of 2010 to Arctic Ambassador Centers, Arctic Allies, businesses, products and key partners.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is part of PBI’s network of Arctic Ambassador Center Zoos. These centers focus on animal well-being and enrichment, take a leadership role in stewardship and carbon reduction efforts in their communities and participate in PBI polar bear research efforts. They also take part in PBI outreach programs.

One of the Zoo’s keepers, Kara DeLanty, was chosen to view and study polar bears in the wild in 2009, in conjunction with PBI’s Leadership Camp. While attending the camp near Churchill, Manitoba, Kara not only learned from experts in the field about ways to save polar bears in the wild, but also gained valuable firsthand knowledge about climate change.

As an Arctic Ambassador, Kara helps facilitate a number of conservation initiatives at the Milwaukee County Zoo in conjunction with Polar Bears International.

The “Paw of Approval” presentation will take place at noon in the Zoo’s Peck Welcome Center Theater. For more information, please contact the Zoo’s Public Affairs and Services Division at (414) 256-5411.