Groundbreaking - Sept 30, 2012 Exhaustion kicked in last evening for Lynn after a sleepless night needlessly worrying about the ground-breaking. The organizing team of Lily Fans and staff led by Bev Hauptli and Nadine Long had everything well in hand down to the details. The same team will handle the grand opening, and Lynn knows he can sleep without worry for that one.
Dawn - Sept 30, 2012At dawn, Lynn began a walk in the woods to find Daisy. The area is one that local hikers Bob and Ann Nagele had come to for years to sit on a cliff and drink tea. They made hiking trails throughout the township that persist today. They hiked daily within the study area without a problem. It was rare for them to even see a bear.
Old bridge in damp area of trail - Sept 30, 2012Daisy’s signal was weak, making Lynn think she was in an underground den—maybe a rock cave. He walked lightly to avoid sending shock waves through the bedrock. The area indeed was beautiful with park-like red pine bluffs in the upland and dense cedar swamps in lowlands between ridges.
Park-like woods - Sept 30, 2012Lynn didn’t say “It’s me bear” to let yearling Daisy know it was him. She is not a bear he or Sue has approached in the woods. Her mother was not radio-collared while Daisy was a cub, and neither Lynn nor Sue has ever gotten close to her in the woods even though Daisy is exceptionally trusting at feeding stations.
Ted Parvu monitors webcam - Sept 30, 2012It turned out she was not in a den, and sneaking up without speaking didn’t work. Daisy slipped away, and Lynn eventually realized the approach wasn’t working and gave up after an hour and a half. The walk out was quicker without trying to be quiet. Worries evaporate in the woods.
Linda Fryer and Lynn Rogers - Sept 30, 2012The ground-breaking couldn’t have been better. Lily Fans were there in number. The weather was beautiful. The fall colors were at their peak. People brought cakes and cookies. Thanks to Ted Parvu, the live video and sound worked perfectly. The kudos for Lynn from the officials who spoke were embarrassing to him, knowing how much he depends on so many people to make things happen.
Donna & Lynn Rogers with Roger Skraba - Sept 30, 2012The speakers spoke heartfelt, moving words but none more moving than Donna Rogers telling about Lynn and his dream—their dream. The outpouring of support for the bear research and Bear Center from the officials was super. County Commissioner Mike Forsman was the first major official to get behind the Bear Center back in the early 1990’s. Mayor Roger Skraba and Ely Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Fryer told what the Bear Center and research mean to Ely.
Mayor Skraba ended by inviting the DNR to Ely to sit down with him and the governor to talk about loosening up on the research that is so beneficial to bears and people in so many ways. Eagles Nest Township Supervisor Dan Humay ably represented the area where the research is conducted. Last but not least was Anne Oelke, the school principal, representing the kids we will be reaching through the Multi-media classroom and broadcast facility in the Hope Learning Center.
The Groundbreaking Program can be downloaded here.
Bear Center visitors enjoyed free admission - Sept 30, 2012The day will never be forgotten. The show of support by over 200 people onsite and over a thousand online was heartwarming. As Bev Hauptli writes:
"History was made when the Hope Learning Center broke ground Sept. 30th at the NABC in Ely, MN. …The groundbreaking event made news near and far. Television, radio & newspapers were there. Thousands around the world watched the live webcast. Educating the world about the true nature of black bears continues….”
The entire live broadcast can be viewed at Groundbreaking.
A few of the news links are:
ABC Eyewitness News
Northland’s NewsCenter
Duluth News Tribune
KDAL610
Yesterday was a great day. Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center