The “Joe Cares” holiday campaign supports the protection of endangered species through Wine By Joe retail sales from October through December
Portland, Ore. (October 4, 2023) — Wine By Joe announced today the official start of its second fundraising partnership with the Oregon Zoo Foundation. The “Joe Cares” campaign supports the Oregon Zoo’s polar bear conservation work through retail, online, and restaurant wine sales.
From October 1 to December 31, 2023, a portion of the sales of all Wine By Joe wines sold in Oregon will be shared with the Oregon Zoo Foundation to support their work to better understand and protect the world’s polar bear population.
Polar bears at the Oregon Zoo are lending a helping paw to their wild counterparts simply by living their lives. Polar bear Nora enjoys her time in a swim flume designed to help scientists understand the caloric requirements of wild polar bears as Arctic sea ice disappears. She and her half-sister Amelia Gray are among a handful of bears that have been outfitted with a “Burr on Fur”, a prototype innovation designed to give conservation scientists a better way to monitor wild bears. Recently, the two helped test a “bear laser” that could provide a safe, non-invasive way to check the physical condition of bears in the wild.
“We still have gaps in understanding how climate change is affecting wild polar bears, and it’s essential that the bears in human care help scientists learn more about their species,” said Amy Cutting, vice president of conservation for Polar Bears International. “Zoo bears are perfect candidates to help because they already participate in many health-care behaviors voluntarily and seem to find those experiences enriching.”
Climate change is directly damaging polar bear habitats and decreasing polar bear populations in the Arctic. The Oregon Zoo’s important research will help scientists better understand how wild polar bear populations are adapting to climate-change-impacted environments. Wine By Joe is thrilled to help.
“We are thrilled to be partnering again with the Oregon Zoo Foundation to help fund their polar bear research,” said Michelle Bolliger-Olberding, Director of Sales for Wine By Joe. “The zoo’s conservation efforts help locally in Oregon and throughout the world, and we’re happy to do our part in supporting their efforts.”
Through December 31, wine consumers across Oregon should be on the lookout for Wine By Joe wines at grocery stores, wine retailers, and online wine stores. Every bottle of wine bought will help conservation work at the Oregon Zoo. Restaurant sales of Wine By Joe will also support the fundraising effort, and partner restaurants will additionally promote the “Joe Cares” campaign to diners. Wine By Joe is also sponsoring a raffle to receive tickets to Oregon Zoo’s beloved seasonal Zoo Lights. Two winners will be drawn weekly throughout the three month campaign.
“It takes a tremendous amount of resources to care for so many animals and to advocate for endangered species,” said Oregon Zoo Foundation executive director Julie Fitzgerald. “And this is an exciting way to support our beloved zoo – including the polar bears – while enjoying delicious local wines.”
To purchase Wine By Joe and support the Oregon Zoo’s conservation work, please visit https://www.winebyjoe.com/
About Wine By Joe
Wine By Joe was established in 2003 in the heart of Dundee, Oregon, and was named for Joe Dobbes, a real Oregon guy who wanted to make really good wine for people to enjoy any day or every day. Wine By Joe partners with some of Oregon’s most beloved and well-established vineyards and crafts distinctive wines, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Rosé of Pinot Noir. In 2023, Wine By Joe celebrates 20 years of creating approachable and accessible wines that exemplify the authentic spirit of Oregon–beautifully unpretentious, humbly high-quality, and trusted. To learn more, visit winebyjoe.com.
About The Oregon Zoo
As part of Metro, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo acts globally on behalf of species from pikas to polar bears. Over the past 30 years, it has prevented extinctions, expanded populations, advanced conservation science and formed powerful communities to protect wildlife in the Northwest and around the world. To learn more, visit oregonzoo.org/conserve. The Oregon Zoo Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has funded more than $96 million for the zoo since 1997. Support from the Oregon Zoo Foundation enhances and expands the zoo’s efforts in conservation, education and animal welfare. Members, donors and corporate and foundation partners help the zoo make a difference across the region and around the world. To contribute, go to oregonzoo.org/give. To learn more about the Oregon Zoo or to plan your next adventure, visit www.oregonzoo.org.
