Ted waits at the chalet den for 'his turn' - Nov 5, 2012 Lynn tripped and fell in the dark last night—resulting in a jammed big toe and an arm he can’t lift. He has been given exercises to do for now and we are in a ‘wait and see’ mode hoping it is not a major rotator cuff injury. So walking on rough terrain to reach bear dens is out for now. Fortunately, we have already been able to pin down dates that many of the bears arrived at their dens this year.
Taking a bite out of the Nature Trail - Nov 5, 2012On another note, a Lily Fan sent a link to an article about an issue the DNR has not forgotten http://www.queticosuperior.org/wildernessnews/pdfs/WNews-Summer-2006.pdf. The white pine issue cost Lynn his job and research permit in the early 1990’s but led to a ground-swell of support from environmental groups, the public, the media, and the legislature for regenerating white pines that were being routinely harvested at vastly unsustainable rates. Minnesota was down to its last 2% of white pine forest but harvest was continuing without regeneration. White pines were only 4% of the harvest but 30% of the revenue. The practice was to cut white pines and plant white spruce and red pine in their place. White pines were being eliminated.
Road build across Nature Trail to access new drain field area - Nov 5, 2012Lynn formed the White Pine Society. At first, no one listened. Eventually his message was embraced by virtually every environmental group in the Upper Midwest and by the media, the public, and the legislature. The result was a sea-change in forestry practices at the federal, state, and local levels. The governor gave a million dollars for white pine research. Today, white pines are spared for their ecological, aesthetic, and genetic values. We rejoice whenever we see a clear-cut with the majestic white pines still standing. The link is to a 2006 article about the results of that effort a decade after the White Pine Society effort began in the early 1990’s.
NABC expansion site - Nov 5, 2012We’re looking for a similar ground-swell of support for bears when the Hope Learning Center goes into operation. That was in the back of our minds when we saw the heavy equipment digging the foundation for it today. We thought of the huge potential that exists among Lily Fans.
The saga of Ted, Honey and the chalet den continues. After spending the night in the window den, Ted waited patiently for 'his turn' in the chalet den this morning. Honey was in the den expressing her feelings on the issue!
Thank you for all you do.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center