03/22/06 Wolf recovery positives

Wolf Recovery Positives There may be some unexpected positives for ranchers from Oregon's wolf management plan. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll explain right after this. The last Capital Press I received had some really interesting articles about handling cattle and world and domestic cattle markets, but perhaps that most important article to cattle producers in the Northwest was one on urban students visiting Grant County Oregon ranches. The visits came about as a spin-off from Portland's Sunnyside Environmental School students testifying at the Oregon Fish and Wildlife's wolf management plan hearings last year. Judge Dennis Reynolds of Grant County heard the student's wolf support testimony and proposed to one of their parents he could present them with a different look at the situation. The parent had the good sense and open mindedness to get Judge Reynolds invited to the school. The outcome of the Judge's presentation resulted in organized student visits to Grant County ranches last month. Ranch families and students both agreed they benefited from the visits. One Sunnyside student kept looking for something to disagree with ecologically, but couldn't find any occasion necessitating her response. One ranch kid said he actually ended up liking the urbanites instead of despising them. I applaud Judge Reynolds, Grant County and Sunnyside officials for taking this step toward a mutual understanding. Education outclassed propaganda this day and I'm sure these students will remember their positive visit and the faces of the people dependant on the land. I'm Jeff Keane. Capital Press 3/3/06