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.

Clevenger’s talk 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.

SBMM invites all members to enjoy a members-only pre-lecture reception from 6:15-6:45 p.m. With doors opening to the general public starting at 6:45 p.m. 

About the Speaker

Ralph Clevenger grew up on the coast of North Africa and began diving in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea at the age of seven with his father. In the 1960s, Clevenger was strongly influenced by Jacques-Yves Cousteau films on the underwater world and decided early on to become a marine biologist when he grew up. Clevenger eventually went on to study zoology and worked for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego as a diver/aquarist before attending Brooks Institute of Photography. He was a senior faculty member at Brooks Institute for 33 years, teaching courses in natural history and underwater photography, among other professional photo and video courses.

Based in Santa Barbara, California, Clevenger is now retired from his commercial photography business but still travels extensively sharing images via his website at ralphclevenger.com and on Instagram at instagram.com at ralphwildshot. Today, much of his photography is dedicated to supporting environmental and social issues.