Back in August, the DNR released a “revised” draft wolf management plan with numerous changes made without any consultation with pro-wildlife stakeholders and the tribes. These changes included a cap on the Wisconsin wolf population of 1200 and changes to “management zone” boundaries that appear to only benefit certain outspoken anti-wolf individuals. We cannot let these changes go unanswered.
On October 25th, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will be voting on the revised Wolf Management Plan. This will be the first update to the state’s management plan for our wolves since 2007. We know that you have questions, and we hope to be able to provide answers.
Please join us Tuesday, October 17th @ 7:00 PM for an informational webinar to help you prepare your comments to the Natural Resources Board. Register now to guarantee your free spot! Tickets are limited.
For those of you who were unable to attend the live event, you may view the webinar here.
Wolf Howling and HoChunk Drumming Demonstration at Capitol Square
WHEN: Saturday, July 1st @ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
WHERE: Forum 30 on Capitol Square (top of State Street next to the Veterans Museum)
Join HoChunk singers and drummers honoring our sacred relatives, Luna our robotic wolf and other special guests in a demonstration for wolves at the Madison Farmer’s Market on Capitol Square!
Create your own unique picket sign about protecting wolves and the Endangered Species Act and join us in a gathering below Senator Baldwin’s office where we will be letting the wolf speak for herself with the sounds of howling via loud speakers.
We have already confirmed that the media will be present. The bigger the turnout the more effective we can be! The Madison Farmers Market attracts over 20k people so this is an important opportunity to educate the public about the plight of wolves and bring on new advocates to our cause. This is one of those times we REALLY need to show up in numbers so be sure to SAVE THE DATE and stay tuned!
Please join us for a day of speaking up for Wisconsin wolves and wildlife! Starting with a morning legislative briefing, guest speakers and lunch, we’ll then proceed onto individual meetings with your State Senator and Representative in support of wolf protections and other wildlife issues that matter most to you.
We will provide FREE lunch, legislator talking points and prep time, handouts, our 10th anniversary t-shirt and pre-scheduled appointments with your legislators. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome!
Keep an eye out for our booth at this year’s annual MADISON VEGAN FEST! Our Executive Director, Melissa Smith, will be speaking on wildlife advocacy and there will be a special feature on USDA wildlife services.
When: Saturday, October 1st, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Lunney Lake Farm Park, 4330 Libby Road, Madison, WI
Free admission • Free parking • Food vendors • Exhibitors • Workshops • Kids zone
For further updates, follow Vegan Fest on Facebook or Instagram.
The 9th Annual Speak for Wolves conference will be held online Saturday, August 13th and Sunday, August 14th.
The conference will have a few sessions each day, presented live by webinar followed by Q&A. Select sessions will be recorded and available for review. Details to join the webinar will be e-mailed to all registrants. This conference will feature special guest speakers including our Executive Director Melissa Smith, so we hope to see you there!
Join us on a summer field trip! Explore Wisconsin’s unique bog ecosystem and home of the famous Bog Wolf Pack.
When: Saturday, June 18th from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Lewiston, WI *directions: on the north side of WI Hwy 127, 4 miles east of the Wisconsin Dells, 8 miles west of Portage
Enjoy an up-close experience to Wisconsin’s natural world and learn about the critical conservation work we are doing to protect these areas for future generations. Our field trip will be led by naturalist, Pat Clark who will share his love and knowledge of Wisconsin’s lands, waters and wildlife.
We’ll be putting out trail cameras, hiking into the bog, and learning how to remove invasive species. Join us to learn more about how to we can tell OUR story about why wildlife is so important to us. All ages are welcome!
For those who wish to venture back into the bog on a more advanced-level hike, be sure to bring waders or tall rubber boots, work gloves, and full-length clothing for potential hazards (i.e. poison sumac, mosquitos, flies). Prepare to get a little muddy! You may also want to bring binoculars and a folding chair or blanket.
Join us afterward for a casual lunch at the Triple Play Bar and Grill (about 1/4 mile away).
We will be sending a more detailed map to participants who register. Please carpool if possible to reduce your carbon footprint. We hope to see you there!
2022 Endangered Species Day Celebration!
In place of our regularly scheduled Fireside Chat, please join us Friday, May 20th @ 7:00 PM (CST) for an Endangered Species Day Celebration via Zoom!
Endangered Species Day was started in 2006 by the US Congress and takes place every year on the third Friday of May. In place this week’s regularly scheduled Fireside Chat, we hope you can join us tomorrow evening for the annual celebration of our nation’s wildlife and wild places.
– SCHEDULE –
6:00 pm: Introduction by Sponsors
6:15 pm: Eileen Dowd Stukel – Senior Wildlife Diversity Biologist, SD Game, Fish and Parks – will discuss Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). RAWA exists now as federal House and Senate bills that have made it out of committees and await scheduling for floor votes. The bills that would give a great deal of money (almost 1.4 billion /year) to state and tribal governments to work to protect “at risk” wildlife & plants. Click here for more information on RAWA by the NWF.
7:05 pm: Melissa Smith – Govt. Relations, Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance (GLWA), Executive Director, Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife
Pat Clark – GLWA, Madison Audubon Chapter & Lewiston Outing Club.
Melissa and Pat will speak about “Wolves and Wildflowers” giving a history of listing/delisting actions, review of wolf recovery needs, wolf ecology and lives of wolves. Most grey wolves in the USA were delisted by the Trump administration in November 2020. But due to a February 2022 court decision, they are currently re-listed under the Endangered Species Act in much of the USA (but not in the northern Rockies). Link to discussion of change.
– short break –
8:00 pm: Bradley Phillips – Wildlife Biologist, Black Hills National Forest, Dr. Riley F. Bernard, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor Depart. of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming. Brad & Riley will speak about northern long eared bat.
The bat is at risk due to white-nose syndrome. It has been listed as threatened, but the USFWS proposed in the March 23rd, 2022 Federal Register to list it as endangered. The USFWS is currently accepting comments on the change to its listed status (deadline: 5/23/22).
Meeting ID: 854 3392 0233
Passcode: 534620
One tap mobile +12532158782,,85433920233#,,,,*534620# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,85433920233#,,,,*534620# US (Houston) Numbers to attend via the telephone: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) Find your local number (international)
Co-sponsors of 2022 Endangered Species Day Celebration include: Prairie Hills Audubon Society, The Norbeck Society, Western Watershed Projects, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, SD Chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, Rapid City Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, Black Hills Chapter – Dakota Rural Action, Black Hills Chapter of the Sierra Club.
This meeting will be recorded and posted to PHAS web page under Resources and Recordings menu items within a few days.
For more information contact Nancy Hilding 605-7876466, phas.wsd@rapidnet.com
UNITE FOR WOLVES WEBINAR
Bounties, night raids, hunting hounds and now, the killing of pups and nursing mothers in their dens. While Wyoming and Montana have ended their hunting seasons on wolves, Idaho continues on, during the most vulnerable time for wolves as they are raising their newborn pups.
Join us for a forum where you will hear from a wildlife scientist, student leader, outdoor business owner, tribal leader, and two NGO directors who are advocating for an emergency listing for wolves in the Northern Rockies.
Learn the latest on wolves in Idaho and Yellowstone, the impacts on Yellowstone business communities, and efforts by tribes, students and activists to gain emergency listing for wolves in the Northern Rockies. Then use this information to take action yourself on Friday, May 6th for the National Day of Action for Wolves!
SATURDAY APRIL 23, 2022
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regretfully had to postpone our Earth Day Celebration until June. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and look forward to getting together with all of you in June. Please stay tuned for details!
Please join us for a fun, social day outdoors while visiting the home of the historic bog pack! We’ll be putting out trail cameras, hiking, picking invasive species, socializing, and sampling some delicious food you can make from wild plants, including garlic mustard. Join us to learn more about how to we can tell OUR story about why wildlife is so important to us. All ages are welcome!
Join us afterward from 12:00 – 1:00 PM for lunch at the Triple Play Bar and Grill (about 1/4 mile away) with vegetarian menu options.
Be sure to bring weather appropriate attire, hiking boots and gloves. You may also want to bring binoculars, and a folding chair or blanket.
We will be sending a more detailed map to participants who register. Please carpool if possible to reduce your carbon footprint. We hope to see you there!
Sedona Wolf Week: November 10-14, 2021
Click here to REGISTER, view schedule and learn more
Be sure to catch us during the Great Lakes Roundtable portion of the series on November 11th!
The 2021 Sedona Wolf Week Satellite Series
With the decimation of wolves in our country at an all-time high, many people across the country are feeling angry, devastated, and hopeless. Many feel their voices are not being heard. The Sedona Wolf Week Satellite Series was created in an effort to educate and empower people more immediately throughout the year as new actions are taken against wolves, as well as solidify a supportive community of like-minded people who care about our country’s wolves and are willing to fight for them. All presentations during the day are included for a small one-time donation of $11.
Click here to REGISTER, view schedule and learn more!
Be sure to catch the Great Lakes Region portion of the series from 1:15 – 2:15 PM !
In a few short weeks, we look forward to coming together in the heart of Wisconsin, where local family farms, outdoor recreation and wildlife thrive, including the area’s elk herd, wolves, bears and an incredible diversity of bird and plant life!
We listened to your feedback from Wildlife Day 2018 and are pleased to announce that this year, we will be hosting our main annual event in the Black River State Forest area featuring more networking and Q&A opportunities with other wildlife advocates, scientists, farmers, community leaders, wildlife organizations, and plenty of FAMILY FUN in the beautiful outdoors.
WHEN: August 17th from 12:00 – 4:00 pm + optional evening activities
WHERE: Cain’s Orchard | W13885 Cain Road Hixton, WI 54635
Communities close to the farm include Eau Claire, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Sparta, Tomah, Altoona, Black River Falls, Neillsville, Nekoosa and surrounding Jackson County. About 2 hours from Madison.
COST: FREE EVENT !
We are also excited to announce that this year there will be an avian ambassador presentation! River Valley Raptors is a local non-profit organization devoted to conservation in the driftless area. They inspire conservation with the help of their avian ambassador team which consists of non-releasable birds of prey.
FREE Food:
At this year’s event, we will be offering a wide variety of local, sustainable and vegan options so there will be something for EVERYONE, including food options from Field Roast, Beyond Burger, Tofurky, BearNibbles, Toffutti, Slide Gourmet Potato Chips, caramel drizzled apples, freshly picked blueberries and more!
Activities for All Ages:
Tractor rides, hiking, berry picking, bird watching, farm-to-table shopping, activities for the kiddos, bonfire and camping ! For those staying in the area after the main event, there will be a guided hike with wildlife experts followed by a wolf howling survey in the Black River State Forest. Join us after hours for more chances to see other wildlife in their natural habitat.
Blueberry picking at Cain’s Orchard.
Speakers/Panelists:
Scientists
- Dr. Adrian Treves | University of Wisconsin-Madison, Nelson Institute. Dr. Treves earned his PhD at Harvard University in 1997 and is now a Professor of Environmental Studies at UW–Madison and founder of the Carnivore Coexistence Lab.
- Jeremy St. Arnold | Wildlife and Forestry Biologist for the Red Cliff Tribe, featured on the PBS documentary MA’iingan. Jeremy played a key role in creating the Red Cliff Wolf Protection Plan and works with area farmers to reduce conflict.
- Heather Orlovsky | Conservation Biologist, UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and chair of the Wildlife Societies Native Peoples’ Wildlife Management Working Group which promotes improved relationships between state/provincial/federal wildlife managers and tribal wildlife managers through improved communications. She also advocates for diversity within wildlife agencies.
- Francisco Santiago-Avila | Fran holds Masters degrees in environmental public policy as well as environmental management from Duke University. His main objective is to reform wildlife management by embedding in it the much needed acknowledgement of moral standing for individual nonhuman animals. Fran’s other research interests include: human behavior and attitudes towards animals, conflict-mitigating interventions and legal mechanisms for conservation. His other interests include carnivore behavioral ecology and trophic cascades.
Farmers
- Diane Cain and family, Cain’s Orchard http://www.explorewisconsin.com/spotlight/CainsOrchard
- Mary Falk, Lovetree Farm, award-winning cheesemaker and wildlife/predator conflict expert https://lovetreefarmstead.com/home.htm
- Justin and Darci Daniels, Conservation and Farming Program https://www.gardenvalleyfarmstead.com/our-farm
We are thrilled to host this year’s event in a location where family farmers not only embrace the presence of wildlife on their farm, but want nothing more than to see it thriving there:
“Growing up on a farm meant I adored the cows, calves and chickens I helped care for. I loved watching the deer, fox and all wildlife. My grandfather would pass the Eau Claire Leader to us – there was a column that gave facts about wildlife that helped me to understand and appreciate them. I wanted to become a journalist so I could educate people about animals in much the same way however, I became a nurse instead.
My interest in wolves peaked in 2010 when the Bear Bluff Pack of adults and their pups who lived in the Jackson/Monroe County area were trapped and killed. I was horrified then, but the more I learn now, the more I am incredulous regarding the lack of respect, empathy and education surrounding this iconic animal.
We bought our farm in 1976 to plant an orchard, which we did. A huge selling point to me was the 100 acres of forest on our farm. Even back then, I recognized there was a critical need for a safe haven for wildlife. Now with our state parks and trails opened up for hunting and trapping over several months of the year, the need for wildlife sanctuaries is even greater than it was back then.”
– Diane Cain, Cain’s Orchard
So please mark your calendars, and join us for a day of fun, education and advocacy ! If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact us at info@wiwolvesandwildlife.org.
Wildlife Day at the Farm is proudly sponsored by:
Ian’s Pizza Dough-Nation Night
Present this flyer (on your mobile phone or in print) at the register when you pay for your pizza on the evening of June 12th and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife !
Wolf Delisting Public Hearing with USFWS
If the above image is one you do not want to see become legal in the state of Wisconsin again, please join us in speaking out against federal wolf delisting at the public hearing hosted by Senator Ron Johnson next week in Hudson.
When: Friday, May 3rd | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: Hudson House Grand Hotel | 1616 Crest View Drive, Hudson, Wisconsin
According to the event invitation, this is intended to be a public meeting (not a rally, roundtable or a hearing) to give people in Northwest Wisconsin the chance to take an active role in the FWS rule making process. It will consist of a short presentation and then opened up for verbal comments.
The event will provide potentially hundreds of interested constituents and government officials on both sides of the current gray wolf delisting debate with an opportunity to share their public comments with US Fish & Wildlife Service officials both verbally and also in writing. Those who attend will be encouraged to clearly state and write their position on the proposed rule making, and to include their reasoning behind it.
If you have not done so already, please submit your official public comment here and make arrangements to attend this public hearing to voice your opposition to the delisting of wolves across the nation.
LET US HELP YOU PREPARE
For more information on how to prepare and submit your public comments online or in person at this public hearing, please join our Live Webinar on Wednesday, May 1st from 7-8 PM where we will go over everything you need to prepare, concluding with an interactive Question & Answer session.
Join Webinar Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/906692376?pwd=M1kyaU9GZUNVY29xbG9iRXBYNHNFdz09
Meeting ID: 906 692 376 Password: Wolves
One tap mobile Dial by your location
+16465588656,,906692376# US (New York) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Another way you can help is by collecting written public comments from everyone you know who wants to see our wolves remain protected ! Bring all written comments with you to the public hearing OR you can send them by email to info@wiwolvesandwildlife.org or drop them to our mailing address at 117 Ardmore Drive Madison, WI 53713.
As always, thanks for all that you for our wolves ~
Killing Games Screening and Discussion
When: April 12, 2019 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Discovery Building | 330 N Orchard St., Madison, WI 53715
Join us to watch the educational and moving documentary, “Killing Games: Wildlife in the Crosshairs” by Project Coyote. Following the film there will be a panel discussion with Dr. Adrian Treves, UW-Madison professor and founder of the Carnivore Coexistence Lab, Bill Lynn, research scientist in ethics and sustainability at Clark University and Megan Nicholson, Wisconsin State Director of The Humane Society of the United States.
Watch the trailer here:
Eagle Watching Day
When: January 19, 2019 @ 8:00 AM
Where: River Arts Center | 105 9th St, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
Contact Info: msmith@wiwolvesandwildlife.org
Bald eagles are one of our most iconic species and represent a true conservation success. In Wisconsin, we had an unprecedented 1,695 occupied nests last year! Eagles have come back thanks to the protections of the Endangered Species Act and conservation efforts that banned chemicals that kept their eggs from developing strong shells, killing their embryos.
On January 19th, we can celebrate this success by viewing these impressive birds in their natural habitat. We will be tabling at Sauk Prairie’s Eagle Watching Day to organize in support of the Endangered Species Act and to get the word out about current threats to bald eagles and other species.
We will also be inviting visitors to attend an upcoming film, Killing Games, that looks at wildlife killing contests and what we can do to end these unethical and wasteful events.
Researcher Adrian Treves and Bill Lynn, of spotted owl fame will also be joining us at the table. This is a great opportunity to help protect endangered species and meet others that are doing great work. There will be a birds of prey demo too – I hope you can join us !
Eagle Watching Day is also taking place on the same day as the Moondog Madness coyote hunt in Sauk City, so it can serve as a way to help other wildlife enthusiasts become aware of what is happening just down the street.
Our Vanishing Future: Wildlife Art Show
Capturing the rare and vanishing species of the United States: wildlife photography and illustrations by professional and local artists.
When: Friday, November 9th | 6:00 PM – close
Where: Art In |1444 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703
Cost: FREE EVENT! including hors d’oeuvres + cash bar
Come support local, indigenous and professional wildlife photographers and artists and learn more about how you can help keep protections in place for imperiled and endangered species around the US.
Entertainment includes speaker Bill Greendeer from the Hochunk nation, film showings from Project Coyote and Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife, and many special musical guests!
>> RSVP HERE <<
Stop Extinction Challenge!
When: August 10th @ 3:00 PM (your time)
Where: Your Senator’s nearest office
The legislative attacks on the Endangered Species Act are reaching a fever pitch in Congress. Earlier this month, Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced a bill that would weaken the Endangered Species Act and last week, members of the House of Representatives introduced a package of bills that would set conservation back and harm wildlife. Your senators could be the difference between endangered species surviving or losing protections.
Join activists from around the country in taking the Stop Extinction Challenge and show up on August 10th to the office nearest you to speak out to stop extinction.
Find your senators’ nearest offices and commit to show up on August 10th at 3 PM!
Speaking out in person by telling staffers how much you value plants, fish, and wildlife and the laws that protect them is one of–if not the–most valuable actions you can take as an activist. Calls, emails, and petitions are so important to keeping plants, fish, and wildlife safe, but when senators hear that constituents like you are taking the time to show up in person, they listen closely.
Summer Tabling Events
Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife will be hosting a table at the following events to help get the word out about endangered wolves and other imperiled wildlife in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. If we happen to be in your neck of the woods, stop by to say hello and grab some info !
Central Park Sessions: August 1 – 2 (5:00 – 9:00 pm)
Monona Farmers Market: Sunday, August 12
Orton Park Festival: August 25-26
Willy Street Fair: September 15-16
Monona Farmers Market: Sunday, September 23
James Taylor & Bonnie Raitt
When: Thursday, June 28, 2018 @ 7:30 PM (doors open at 6:00 PM)
Where: American Family Insurance Amphitheater | Milwaukee, WI
James and Bonnie have invited Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife to host a table at their show to help get the word out about endangered wolves and other imperiled wildlife in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region. Order tickets here and stop by our table before the show to say hello and grab some info !
Endangered Species Day Event
Date: Saturday, May 19th | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Monarch Wildlife Wayside Refuge | 6282 State Highway 111, Catawba, Wisconsin 54515
Sponsored by: Endangered Species Coalition with Field Representative Melissa Smith
Hosted by: Monarch Wildlife Wayside Refuge, Ron Burger
Event will take place one day after National Endangered Species Day. We are looking forward to getting everybody together for this fun and educational day to show everyone about Endangered Species and what you to can do to help and get involved! You will even be able to take home some FREE milkweed Plants to plant for the Monarch Butterflies🦋 Stay tuned on this Facebook page for updates on further information regarding this event. We hope to see you there!
For further information, please contact contact Ron Burger at MonarchWildlifeWaysideRefuge@outlook.com or call 715-339-2683
Wildlife Day at the Capitol
On April 11, 2018 hundreds of wildlife advocates in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota gathered in solidarity at their state capitols to meet with lawmakers and speak for wolves and wildlife in the Great Lakes region!
The day was filled positive action for wolves and wildlife, where nearly one hundred supporters rallied at the State Capitol buildings in Madison and Lansing. Legislators met with their constituents who urged them to protect the wolf for future generations by supporting wildlife-friendly legislation. (We joined in solidarity with our friends in Minnesota who also held a day of action for wolves!)
Constituents were vital in persuading legislators that wildlife belongs to everyone and that keystone species, like wolves, need special consideration and protections. Wildlife Day was an opportunity to bring together ethical hunters, non-consumptive users, scientists, silent sports enthusiasts, farmers, tribal members and anyone who truly cares about wildlife as a unified yet, diverse voice for policy.
HOWLS OF THANKS to Lush Cosmetics, The Humane Society of the United States, Endangered Species Coalition, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, Songbird Protection Coalition, Dr. Adrian Treves, Cait Irwin and ALL the volunteers who helped make this day happen…we could not have done it without all of YOU!!!
While Wildlife Day was a step in the right direction, all Wisconsin residents are still needed to continue speaking out for our wolves. In the meantime, please continue to submit your Letters to the Editor, and write/call your state senators, representatives urging them to keep our wolves and wildlife protected. Learn more on our Take Action page.
From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for taking action and being a voice for wolves and wildlife.
wiwolvesandwildlife.org 