Sheri Lynn Baxter, Candidate for Board of Directors
Even though I have only been a resident of Alaska for a short time, I am quite aware of many of the state's issues. Before moving to Anchorage, I found myself becoming increasingly more involved with several environmental groups and topics involving Alaska. While still back home in southern California, I was constantly writing letters, making phone calls and helping to spread awareness on issues such as: the Magnuson Act, predator control plans, the Tongass, and, of course, the McNeil River bears! When I wanted to do more than my geographical location would allow, I knew that moving to Alaska was the next logical step in my environmental endeavors.
Being involved in my community has always been a predominant part of my life, as my mother stimulated my "addiction to volunteering" at a very early age. I have more than 20 years background working in numerous community and non-profit organizations. During the past 10 years, I obtained extensive experience with these groups in the planning and coordination of fund raisers and special events, program management, volunteer development, and education and leadership in youth programs and schools. I earned a B.A. in Social Ecology, a B.S. in Biology and finished a year of postgraduate work in Psychology. I look forward to becoming active with Friends of McNeil River and hope that, if nominated to the Board of Directors, I will be able to use my background to help FOMR and the McNeil River bears.
Christine DiCurti, Candidate for Board of Directors:
Hi. Let me introduce myself. My name is Christine CiCurti. I am from Fairbanks, Alaska and I love bears. Not just the ho hum, bears are great love but the with ALL my heart and soul kind of love. Bears give me energy. Energy I hope to use on the Friends of McNeil River board to protect the bears from those who don't see anything but a rug when they look at a grizzly bear.
I've been a member of Friends of McNeil River for four years and this January flew down to Anchorage for my first meeting.
I've been to McNeil River Game Sanctuary three times, twice as a volunteer and this July as a lucky permit holder. I can't think of a better way to spend 10 hours a day than watching the bears interact with each other. I was tempted just to bring a sleeping bag and camp for the night! (This was frowned upon by Larry).
I feel that we, as human beings, are irrevocably linked to all nature and as David Bower stated "The wild places are where we began. When they end so do we."
I would like to be a cog in the wheel that continues to protect the McNeil River Sanctuary and Refuge.
Leo Keeler, Candidate for Board of Directors:
Many of you have heard or read my name in relation to McNeil River issues, and wondered why I have contributed so much time and energy to the cause, and why I'm willing to continue to do so. My background includes education in natural resource management, including developing unique recreation experiences on public lands. When I first visited McNeil River in 1986, I recognized it as the most significant human-wildlife interaction that occurs in the United States. I also recognized its significance as a demonstration to the world that humans and wild, potentially dangerous, animals can co-exist.
In 1991, the Paint River fish ladder brought to light the likelihood that this interaction was at risk due to development or politically driven management objectives. I felt that the only way to insure that McNeil was not changed on a whim, was to have legal statutes or regulations passed. Since 1991, I have worked toward that end. Now that the Refuge has been established and closed to bear hunting, I feel it is time to gain a better understanding of the needs of bears, their interactions with humans and to share that information with the world. Through sharing the lessons learned at McNeil, bear management can be better coordinated with all types of human activity.
Janna Stewart, Candidate for Board of Directors:
I am a 15-year resident of Alaska who applied for a McNeil permit for almost ten years before I was finally successful in 1995. That experience was a significant physical, social and spiritual adventure for me, and now I feel that it is important to do whatever I can to ensure the safety and well-being of the McNeil bears, for their sake as well as the people who will visit the bears in years to come. I have been on the board of directors of other Alaska nonprofit organizations, and currently serve on the board of Life Alaska, Inc. As an attorney in government service, I have a great deal of experience with rules, regulations, bureaucracies, meetings, and committees, and I would like to use those obscure, bookish skills for a cause that is a little more "real"! I look forward to working with other FOMR members on preserving the future of the McNeil bears and perhaps of bears throughout Alaska. I ask for the support of all the FOMR members.