<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV class=RTE>Hi all,</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>I hope all who are visiting Sax-Zim for owls this winter are
visiting the local businesses (gas stations, restaurants, anything else you can
find) in Eveleth, Cotton and elsewhere nearby...and I hope you're wearing your
binoculars when you do. For two reasons:</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>1. The economy in this area needs all the help it can
get--just pick up the Eveleth paper and look at the help wanted next time you
visit.</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>2. The people around here need to see that the spruce and
tamarack in the bog have monetary value beyond the number of pulp sticks
available per acre. </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>If we as birders always think about this and make our economic
presence known, we have a better shot at having a seat at the table when
decisions are being made about how to manage our public land.</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE> </DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>Good luck birding,</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>Shawn Conrad</DIV>
<DIV class=RTE>Bovey</DIV></div></html>
