Behind the scenes at NABCTogether with advisors, I spent much of the day at the Bear Center planning how to upgrade the Bear Center
The day was punctuated with ecstatic visitors saying how great the Bear Center and Ecology Hall are and how amazing their experience there is. Kids were gathered around the snakes, turtles, and frogs. Others watched the movie, the bears, the video exhibits, and went on the behind-the-scenes tour.
It started as we entered the building. We happened to meet Ely’s second largest donor coming out the door. It was her first visit ever. She and her guests erupted into enthusiasm about what a wonderful place it is. I asked if they had done a behind-the-scenes tour to see Ted. They had. That experience has turned out to be our best program (pictured). It is questions and answers with Bear Center interns, educators, and/or staff as Ted makes friendly sounds that change people’s attitudes and endear him to visitors.
Unfortunately, it was the last day of interns, they have to go back to school.
Other people talked about how low the streams and rivers are and how glad they are that we finally got some rain a few days ago. Food in the woods is scarce, as we said before.
Community bear feeders say they have never seen such hungry bears. They and we are doing our best to keep up. We haven’t heard of any bear problems in the community.
It was also a day of catching up with my old friend Allen Garber, the DNR commissioner who made possible the research that led to the Bear Center.
As plans develop for the Bear Center upgrade to make it more kid-friendly we’ll keep you up to speed. The new, lower exhibit platforms will be made of polished light-colored birch like the taxidermy platforms and Ecology Hall exhibits. It will give the place a whole new look. There is talk of a grand re-opening.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.