At winter’s end, Holly is still full of energy. She is undoubtedly leaner than last fall, we’ll soon find out how Deer eating grassmuch leaner, but she is still ready for a quick climb up the Pat Tree and a romp and slide across the icy pond as captured by a Lily Fan in this 1-minute video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvWVNB0ZoFY.
Out the window, the snow around the chipmunk hole had melted. White-tailed deer, like this last year’s buck fawn, were finding patches of green. Then it all turned white. Over 3 inches of snow fell in a couple hours.
The videos captured by Lily Fans are just one example of how much volunteers make possible. It’s the same at the Bear Center. As we grow, we are ever in greater need for volunteers. We believe volunteers have been a big factor in making the North American Bear Center the #1 attraction in Ely according to Trip Advisor. 
Eastern chipmunk's holeSo often, people stop me on the street to tell me what a great time they had at the Bear Center thanks to great people who helped them and talked with them about bears.
Bear Educator Volunteers help with behind the scenes tours, direct people to the right exhibit to answer their questions, support the daily and hourly programs, and even take the mike and help with the podcasts. Many of the Bear Educator Volunteers have also taken the Black Bear Field Course to gain safe, close-up experience with wild bears and experience the 
Snow at the research cabinvariation in black bear personalities. Some bears are timid. Others more confident. To me, it’s always a thrill when I make a connection with a timid wild bear and feel accepted. They learn us as we learn them. With that kind of experience, it becomes a joy to share it. I don’t know anywhere else where a person can get that kind of experience, and I can’t think of a better place to share it than as a Bear Educator Volunteer at the Bear Center. Judy Thon is hosting a Bear Educator Training Session there April 22-24. Just from the training session, people learn so much and become so valuable. I asked her what people have to do to get in. She said you have to complete a volunteer application indicating you would like to be a Bear Educator Volunteer at http://www.bear.org/website/volunteer.html. She said each application will be reviewed and the people contacted. Bear Educator Volunteers come from all walks of life.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center