Today was a particularly hectic day in the office. Lots of good energy and excitement around the protection issue. However, sometimes we long for the days of bears, bugs, and blisters—and the peace that comes from time in the woods. At times like this it helps to keep the den cam running in a corner of our computer screen to remind us why we keep plugging away! A video of some of today’s den activity is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SGj-H_Uv0E.
But the fight for protection is on. The commissioner denied our request for protection. It is in the news. Radio-collared bears need protection. We have no choice. We have to give it all we’ve got.
Your response has been strong and we’re watching it grow. Copies of your great letters are pouring in. Thank you!
Julia Attwood in the UK initiated an online petition in support of protection for radio-collared bears that already had over 1500 signatures at 6:33 PM CST—and will have many more by the time this update is finished (Sue is a slow editor…). Amazing and much appreciated support from around the world! The petition is 'PROTECT Collared Bears in MN'.
Thanks to Helen Schwarz’s efforts we have added a Service Learning section to the Educational Outreach section of bear.org at http://www.bear.org/website/service-learning/what-is-service-learning.html. ‘Project Protection’ is coming together now and will be the first Service Learning Project added. Students and teachers are already fired up to write letters to key people. Several teachers have contacted us already.
I have already had my students suggest they write letters on behalf of the bears and we shall do so. All snail mail letters. —Candace, California
I have written a letter to Rep David Dill asking him to save the radio-collared Bears. Begging him. I'm also going to have our students do the letters. It is the most beautiful thing to see on the cam. So much violence in this world and being able to enjoy nature nothing comes better than this. I will do my best. Every bit helps. — Linda, New York
My 7th graders and I are right on this! —Kathy, Texas
The St Paul Pioneer Press called to interview Lynn and request a picture of a bear with ribbons. The article should run in Sunday’s paper.
We wrote a response to Commissioner Landwehr’s Op Ed piece about why he denied protection. We don’t know if it will get published, but it includes some talking points. We have posted it online at http://www.bear.org/website/images/stories/Documents/Op_Ed_Protection_for_Radio-collared_Bears.pdf. Minnesota Media Contacts are now online at http://www.bear.org/website/images/stories/Documents/Minnesota_Media_Contacts.pdf.
Thank you for all you do and your continued support.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center