Andover First Graders Petition Black Bear as State Mammal

A lesson about Lily and her cubs sparked interest in students at Andover Elementary School. Now, Dana Coleman's first grade class is working to get the black bear recognized as the Minnesota State Mammal.

Coleman tells KSTP.com, "My kids have been watching the bear den cam all year. You can ask them a question, and they know everything about the bear."

While studying bears, the class learned Minnesota is one of four states that doesn't have a State Mammal. "The kids thought it should be Lily, and I said, well it can't be Lily, but it could be the black bear," said Coleman.

She worked to find support on the government level. Minnesota Senator Barb Goodwin said she would support the petition, and Representative Carolyn Laine agreed to author the bill.

Coleman hopes the bill will move forward next February. She says, "The kids are understanding they have a powerful voice if we all work together." Her class is working to get 10,000 signatures on its petition.