Points North: We Don’t Need No Science—Legislators Prove Global Warming A Farce

The Canada lynx may be Minnesota's most reclusive resident, but we know much more about this boreal forest wild cat than we did 10 years ago. A story in the current issue of the Minnesota Volunteer describes how researchers at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, used radio-collars to track lynx movements and learn about their habitat needs, reproduction, range and behavior.

What the researchers learned about lynx has practical applications. Minnesota's lynx are classified as “threatened” on the federal Endangered Species List, which means the animal and its habitat must be considered in forest management and development projects. Perhaps the most important outcome of the radio collar research is a better understanding of how lynx coexist with people. According to the Volunteer, lynx do not need to be a flashpoint for environmental controversy. Unfortunately, the successful lynx study may soon seem like a nostalgic song from the days of wine and roses. Recent news stories suggest the current crop of legislators takes a dim view of science.