Join our Campaign to Protect America’s Wolves
Take action TODAY on rapidly approaching deadlines!
This year, we launched our Protecting America’s Wolves advocacy campaign. Since then, we’ve been equipping our supporters with weekly targeted actions aimed at protecting our nation’s wolves with a particular focus on the wolves of the Northern Rockies, who remain federally unprotected. We have ramped up our campaign to relist wolves of the Northern Rockies and will continue our advocacy efforts leading up to the September U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) relisting decision and beyond.
Today we write to alert you to multiple opportunities to advocate for our nation’s wolves both in and outside of the Northern Rockies and public comment deadlines that are rapidly approaching!
Take ACTION for wolves today:
Michigan wolf management plan
Deadline – August 4th
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources published a draft wolf management plan. This plan will guide wolf management in Michigan after the (presumed) eventual removal of wolves from Endangered Species Act listing. State wolf management plans provide the framework by which state wildlife agencies manage wolves within the state. Public input is crucial for guiding the development of these plans to ensure they rely on the best available science, prioritize ethical coexistence, and acknowledge the intrinsic value of wolves as well as the vast ecological benefits they provide. The public comment period is open to all but please hurry, the deadline is Friday, August 4.
We’ve put together this guide for providing comments.
Minnesota wolf management plan
Deadline – August 8th
No, you’re not seeing double; another wolf management plan! The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also published a draft wolf management plan, which will guide the management of their resident wolf populations after delisting.
The public comment period is now open to everyone, even residents outside the state, through Monday, August 8 at 4:30 pm (CT).
We’ve put together this guide for providing comments.
Colorado Wolf Reintroduction
Deadline – August 21st
Last week, we introduced an alternate wolf restoration plan led by WildEarth Guardians and in partnership with 14 other wildlife organizations. This plan was provided to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to offer a science-based alternative to the plan currently being developed by CPW staff, which has been heavily co-opted by trophy hunting and agricultural interests.
In addition, last week USFWS announced their intent to prepare an environmental impact statement and publish proposed regulations for the 10(j) management rule, which will manage the reintroduced Colorado wolves as a nonessential experimental population, which essentially means they are managed more like a threatened species (allowing for more liberalized killing for livestock conflicts) despite their current status as federally endangered. The comment period for providing scoping comments is open to all U.S. citizens until August 21st. We urge you to raise your voice and advocate for USFWS to draft a 10(j) management rule guided by the best available science and fulfill the purpose and intent of Proposition 114.
Help us make Colorado a welcoming home for wolves! We’ve put together this talking points guide for providing comments.
Montana’s wolves
Montana’s wolves are under threat of another deadly wolf hunting and trapping season if the current proposed regulations are adopted by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. If you are a Montana resident, make a plan to attend the August 25th meeting in Helena. There are buses driving wolf advocates to Helena from Bozeman and Missoula. If you need a ride from Missoula contact Stephen Capra from Footloose Montana (stephen@footloosemontana.org)
Raise your voice for Montana’s wolves!
Future actions
Wolves need our continued advocacy! Make sure to follow us on social media (Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook) to join our #ProtectAmericasWolves advocacy campaign and partake in weekly targeted actions to increase pressure on our public representatives and demand increased protection for wolves across the country.
Thank you for helping Protect America’s Wolves!
For wild nature,
Michelle Lute, PhD
Carnivore Conservation Director
Francisco J. Santiago-Avila, PhD
Science & Conservation Manager
Renee Seacor, JD
Carnivore Conservation Advocate