Dr. Rogers with cubThe research scientist position the USFS created for me was exactly what I needed. The Position Description stated, “Supervision is characterized by a degree of confidence in and reliance on the researcher's productivity, competence, and judgment that there is an unusual level of support of his recommendations and his most novel and as yet seemingly fruitless investigations; the supervisory relationship fully reflects recognition of the incumbent as a top technical authority in his field in the agency and as a distinguished and brilliant scientist. The incumbent's technical judgment and conclusions are considered authoritative.” (see more at http://bearstudy.org/website/images/stories/Documents/Lynn_Rogers_more_info.pdf
Dangerous bears...or notThroughout my research, I’ve continually tried new things to learn new things—always with an eye toward kinder, gentler research methods. As part of that, I adapted Jane Goodall’s trust-based research methods to bears in the mid-1980’s,. By combining her methods with modern technology, advances in our understanding of black bear behavior, ecology, and habitat requirements came quickly. As a result, I received the 1988 USFS Quality Research Award. To educate, I shared my findings with the public through popular articles, lectures, the internet, field courses, and TV documentaries. For the scientific world, I senior-authored more peer-reviewed scientific papers on black bears than anyone (to this day). A worldwide survey of bear biologists conducted by the International Bear Association ranked two of those papers among the top five contributions to our understanding of bears (Martinka 1994).
Dr. Rogers recording dataWith the attention my trust-based study was getting for its advances, USFS Associate Chief George Leonard flew up from Washington on July 30, 1989 to experience what I do in the field. I didn’t know that he and USFS Chief Dale Robertson had ruined the careers of biologists whose data did not support their goals. I was happy he was interested in my research. We accompanied a mother and cubs, using a field computer to record what they did, how many bites they took of each food, and the habitats they used. At the time, the USFS was caught up in a nationwide controversy over clear-cutting. These bears were showing the benefits of clear-cutting to bears and berry production. The overall data showed the benefits to the many species that benefit from berries. Leonard saw that. He also saw how safe it was to accompany habituated bears. He gave the study his full support. He protected my study by having the DNR close my study area to bear-hunting, making it safer for the bears and for the nearly 200 citizen scientists that the USFS would shortly authorize to accompany them. As a result, data flowed in, revealing more and more about how forests could be managed not only for timber but for wildlife.
Curious George (George, for short), born in 2005, now also represents the help George Leonard provided.
Dr. Rogers with computer and cubThe data also showed the ecological value of unique oak stands in Palisade Valley. I presented that data to the DNR and The Nature Conservancy for action. The Nature Conservancy took the lead by purchasing the Valley and donating it to the State of Minnesota. The Minnesota Legislature then protected it forever by adding it to Tettegouche State Park in 1992.
USFS biologists saw the data the bears were revealing. On August 27, 1991, Dr. Allen Boss, top biologist for USFS Region 9 (the 23 northeastern states), described its importance to ecosystem management, writing: “In short, this is the foundation of what ecosystem management is all about. This is the kernel of the New Perspectives message and is at the heart of the effort to conserve biological diversity and Threatened and Endangered Species recovery.”
One of Faith’s cubs born in 2015 was named Allen for DNR Commissioner Allen Garber. Her name now also honors Dr. Allen Boss.
On another subject, a sad subject, I got a call today that a huge bear supporter and volunteer moderator Anita Smith (Lily Mod Nita) from England died of cancer. She was loved and appreciated by many. I’m thankful for her many visits here and for all she did for bears.
Thank you all for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center