Words Like Locusts Flew From Her Fingers

North American Bear Center in the News

Duluth News Tribune | 06/28/2006 | Neighbors find financing idea for Ely project unbearable
ELY – Lynn Rogers is selling his property to help humans better understand bears.

Rogers, a renowned bear researcher from Ely, hopes to raise $1 million to build the North American Bear Center by subdividing about 110 acres of property he has owned since 1993 near Arthur Lake, which is southwest of Ely.

Maybe the Arthur Lake residents who are opposing the land sale could get together and donate some money to the Bear Center’s construction fund. With enough donations, Rogers wouldn’t have to sell his land to finance the Center.

That Lynn Rogers is willing to so dip so deeply into his own personal assets to finance the Bear Center is just one indication of how strongly he’s committed to it. Dr. Rogers HAS written books, and given lectures and classes, and there’s still an AMAZING level of ignorance about black bears — even in northern Minnesota where you’d think people would know better.

A Black Bear Center — much like Ely’s Wolf Center — is exactly what’s needed for people to gain an understanding of and appreciation for these beautiful and intelligent animals.