To the Arctic at Great Lakes Science Center

Conservationist, photographer, and author Florian Schulz spent 18 months in the Arctic across the course of 10 years, provoked by people who told him it was “just a barren wilderness.” Instead he discovered a world filled with life and beauty: caribou, snowy owls, and of course, polar bears. Schulz is currently on a world tour promoting his new book, To the Artic, and a companion IMAX documentary of the same name. The film, directed by Greg MacGillivray and narrated by Meryl Streep, debuted at the Great Lakes Science Center late last month. Shot in July, 2010, the flick follows the lives of a mother polar bear and her twin 7-month-old cubs as they navigate the Arctic landscape. “The mission is to give people a better understanding of the need to protect the region from exploitation,” says Schulz of the book and the film. “But we also need to act here — and everywhere — to protect the Arctic from global warming. I’m trying to put a face on it by helping people understand how the mother polar bear, and all the rest of us, are dependent on the ice.” The film screens today at noon, 2, and 4 p.m. Admission to the Omnimax Theater is $11 for adults and $9 for children. Because today is Free Tuesday for Youths, kids can add a visit to the Science Center exhibits at no additional cost. Tickets are available at the box office or online, where you’ll find a complete schedule of upcoming screenings. Schulz’ book is available in the science center store.