A Note from Our Executive Director
Happy new year to all of you nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers! As we enter 2024, it’s time to come together, celebrate unity, and spread a little optimism. This special time of year really prompts us to reflect and change. It’s all about continuing to reach out to others with open hearts and creating a strong sense of togetherness and purpose.
So, let’s talk about leadership! Whether you’re at the helm of an organization like me or making waves as an individual, it’s important to understand what makes people want to follow your lead. What qualities do we need to inspire trust, respect and a shared sense of purpose? We’re all about creating a community here, one that values transparency, integrity and a passion for our mission. And hey, we’re not perfect – nobody is – but we’re committed to putting our cards on the table for all to see.
I’m on a personal mission to keep challenging myself and leveling up for the Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife and Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance. And you know what? I can’t do it alone. I owe it to our amazing advocates to empower them to bring their unique talents and skills to the table. Everyone’s got something awesome to bring to the pack, and we’re here to make sure that every voice is heard and valued.
We’ve got big goals – advocating, organizing, litigating, and teaming up with other organizations to champion our wolves and wildlife. But here’s the thing: I see my role as standing up for your right to be part of the decisions that affect our wild buddies. That’s why we’re aiming high to go above and beyond NGO and governmental standards in everything we do.
We want 2024 to be the “the year of the volunteer”. Come join us! Explore our whole newsletter and website this month, highlighting how you can be part of this amazing organization. As always, I am grateful for your ongoing support and am wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with joy and fulfillment. Let’s keep howling for our cause. I can’t wait to see what amazing things we’ll achieve together!
New Years Resolutions for Wildlife
As we gear up for the new year, why not embrace the spirit of a new start in a fun and upbeat way? One great idea is to cultivate a wild and vibrant atmosphere right in your own backyard. You can plant wildflowers, set up a bird feeder, or create a mini wildlife sanctuary that will bring furry and feathered friends right to your doorstep. It’s a win-win situation – wildlife have a safe environment, and you get to revel in the delightful antics of your new animal buddies.
Speaking of sharing the love for wildlife, let’s make a pact to spread the word about the Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance in our own unique and cool ways. No need to get all serious and scholarly – consider starting a wildlife-inspired Instagram account, organizing a wildlife trivia night, or even hosting a nature hike for your friends. It’s all about getting people excited and involved in the amazing world of wildlife, particularly wolves and other predators. Oh, and be sure to explore our website, schedule one-on-one meetings with our Executive Director, add our calendar events to yours, and join our Fireside Chats! The more noise (not too much, though, we don’t want to spook the wildlife) we can make about conservation efforts, the better our chances of preserving it for future generations – and for snagging some awesome wildlife selfies.
Let’s shift our focus to addressing the pressing issue of climate change. It’s a big challenge, but each of us can make a difference in our way. How about making a resolution to reduce our carbon footprint with some creativity? Try out Meatless Mondays, bike to work, or host a vegan potluck fiesta. Let’s make reducing our carbon footprint a wild and entertaining venture!
So, there you have it – a handful of light-hearted and totally achievable resolutions to make this New Year a wild and wonderful one for our animal friends. Let’s dive in and show that we’re geared up to make a real difference in the lives of creatures big and small. Here’s to a wild new year brimming with wildlife advocacy, volunteer work, and more time spent living in harmony with nature outdoors.
Volunteer with Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance
Volunteering is a powerful and meaningful way to have a lasting impact on the world around us. Here are some compelling reasons why it is so important to include volunteer work in your plans for the year ahead. Know that your contribution is an essential part of the larger effort to create a more harmonious and sustainable relationship between humans and wildlife. Your dedication to this cause is deeply valuable, and together, we can work towards a world where wildlife thrives in healthy, balanced ecosystems.
Here are the top ten reasons volunteering with Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance is so important:
1. Keeping Nature Wild. When you volunteer with wildlife advocacy, you’re helping to keep nature wild by protecting habitats and species. Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf and Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance work to address human-wildlife conflict by implementing strategies that reduce negative interactions between humans and wildlife. Your volunteer efforts can help mitigate these conflicts and promote coexistence.
2. Saving the Planet. By getting involved, you’re joining the fight to stop the biodiversity crisis worldwide and make sure it stays healthy for animals and people alike. GLWA volunteers play a crucial role in protecting and preserving natural habitats, endangered species, and biodiversity. By volunteering for our cause, you are directly contributing to the conservation of wildlife and their ecosystems, ensuring their survival for future generations. Your efforts contribute to a larger, collective impact for the benefit of our planet and its inhabitants.
3. Spreading the Word. As a wildlife advocate, you’ll have the chance to connect with and educate others about why it’s so important to protect wildlife. Your efforts contribute to a larger, collective impact for the benefit of our planet. It’s all about spreading your love of Wisconsin wildlife!
4. Being a Voice for the Voiceless. Your efforts can make a difference in helping animals who cannot speak up for themselves, like wolves in danger of being killed by state-sanctioned dog fighting, or bald eagles suffering from lead poisoning. Volunteering allows you to speak out for the ethical treatment of all animals and work towards ending practices that harm wildlife, such as poaching, hounding, trapping, habitat destruction, and exploitation.
5. Changing the Rules. Volunteers can help push for new laws and policies that make a real impact on protecting wildlife. It’s like being a part of a team that is changing the game for animals. Volunteers play a significant role in advocating for policies and legislation that protect wildlife and their habitats. By participating in Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance efforts, you can help influence decision-makers and drive positive change at local, state, national, and even global level.
6. Personal Growth. Volunteering isn’t just about helping others – it’s also about growing and learning new things. You’ll meet awesome people, learn how to communicate as a wildlife advocate and feel really good about making a difference. This allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, develop new skills, and contribute to a cause that aligns with your values and passion.
7. Spreading the Love. Volunteering for wildlife is all about spreading kindness and empathy for all living beings. It’s a great way to help radiate some love and positivity during the difficult times we are facing in this world today.
8. Keeping the Peace. Wildlife advocates are constantly working towards more ways to make sure animals and humans can find coexistence and harmony. Your volunteer work can help make sure ALL wildlife are considered equally by our agencies and politicians.
9. Saving Wildlife with Science. For the coming year, we have partnered with some other amazing organizations who are also conducting ground-breaking research. As a volunteer, you could help out with important studies and learn how to use the best available science to inform decision-making for wildlife policy.
10. Finding your Pack. When you volunteer with Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, you’re not alone – you’ll become part this amazing community of nature-loving, wildlife advocates just like you.
To learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities, contact us here!
Our decision to pursue legal action is driven by our commitment to protecting and preserving the wolf population in Wisconsin. The issue at hand extends beyond just the wolves; it pertains to systemic problems within all of Wisconsin’s wildlife management plans. The primary reason for repeated legal action regarding wolves is the inadequate efforts of the states to eliminate wolves, often catering primarily to sports hunters.
The new wolf management plan in Wisconsin is a glaring example of the larger problem of ineffective wildlife management. This plan demonstrates disregard for the well-being of the wolf population and neglect of the best available scientific practices. The public deserves to be informed about the most reliable scientific knowledge, including the fact that public hunting does not effectively address conflicts with animals. Non-lethal mitigation measures are the only effective means of protecting livestock from wolves, and there is no justification for the hunting of wolves in ways that include killing with puppies in dens, using dogs to hunt, trapping, and snaring. These methods are endorsed by individuals seeking to eliminate wolves from the landscape.
By permitting uncontrolled hunting and trapping of wolves, the plan poses a threat to decimate an already endangered species and disrupt the natural ecosystem. While the wolf population may be recovering in Wisconsin, the unknown capacity for wolves within the state and the absence of wolves in North and South Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and lower Michigan indicate that there is room for wolves to thrive beyond Wisconsin. This situation exemplifies how short-sighted policies and narrow interests can overshadow the critical preservation of our natural world. It is imperative to implement a much-needed overhaul that prioritizes sustainable practices and safeguards these essential components of our ecosystem.
Moreover, there are ethical considerations when it comes to hunting wolves. Most people believe in treating animals with respect and minimizing unnecessary harm. Wolf hunting practices lead to suffering, and there are concerns about the impact of hunting on the overall wolf population.
From a conservation standpoint, we argue that wolves should be protected due to their ecological importance. Many regions have put in place conservation efforts to safeguard wolf populations, recognizing their value in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Allowing indiscriminate hunting can undermine these efforts and jeopardize the progress made in wolf conservation.
It’s also important to consider the cultural and symbolic significance of wolves to various indigenous communities. Wolves hold deep spiritual and traditional significance for many indigenous peoples around the world. Hunting and killing wolves can be seen as a violation of these cultural beliefs and practices.
While some argue that controlled hunting can help manage wolf populations and address human-wildlife conflicts, it’s essential to carefully consider the potential consequences and explore other alternatives. Non-lethal methods of managing wolf populations and mitigating conflicts, such as using deterrents and implementing livestock protection measures, can often be more effective and humane.
In conclusion, the ethical, ecological, cultural, and economic aspects surrounding the issue of hunting wolves contribute to the perspective that it is wrong. It’s crucial to approach wildlife management with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the importance of respecting the intrinsic value of all living beings, including wolves.
As stewards of the environment, it is our obligation to uphold the laws and regulations that protect the ecological integrity of our land, water, and wildlife.
The DNR and the Natural Resource Board are entrusted with the vital responsibility of managing and conserving our state’s natural resources. However, we contend that their actions and policies have failed to meet the standards mandated by law, thereby undermining the very purpose for which these agencies were established.
Specifically, we have identified numerous instances where the management practices and policies implemented by the DNR and the Natural Resource Board have been detrimental to the well-being of the wolf population and
The issues surrounding wildlife management and natural resource boards that prioritize specific interests over the broader public welfare and the ecological balance of the environment are indeed significant. It is essential for these decision-making bodies to consider a diverse range of perspectives and values when formulating policies and initiatives related to wildlife management and conservation.
The considerations and decisions made by these agencies can have profound implications for not only the wildlife populations but also the entire ecosystem and the public at large. When certain interests, such as hunting and agriculture, are given undue priority, it can lead to the marginalization of other stakeholders who may have alternative viewpoints and values regarding the use and conservation of natural resources.
The pursuit of legal action in such cases is a demonstration of the commitment to upholding ethical standards and protecting the integrity of the natural environment. It serves as a means to hold decision-making bodies accountable and to ensure that management practices align with legal requirements and ethical considerations.
Furthermore, it is imperative that these agencies take into account the best available scientific research and knowledge when making decisions that impact the management of natural resources and wildlife. By incorporating evidence-based practices and considering the ecological implications of their decisions, these bodies can work towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to natural resource management.
Ultimately, safeguarding the ecological balance and ensuring the ethical treatment of wildlife requires inclusive and transparent decision-making processes that consider the diverse perspectives and values of all stakeholders. This inclusive approach can help foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to wildlife policy, benefiting both the natural environment and the public interest.
A Proclamation on the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act
On January 1st, 2024 President Biden issued a Proclamation on the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA is one of the world’s most critical conservation laws, and it has safeguarded the incredible biodiversity across our Nation, supported the recovery of imperiled species, and conserved the habitats they depend on. Click the video linked above to learn more about how the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to conserving America’s flora and fauna for generations to come.
JANUARY ADVOCACY CALENDAR
Just a reminder that our Advocacy Calendar is a great tool to help you prioritize your important voice for wolf and wildlife conservation. Get notified of upcoming events including: DNR meetings, legislative hearings, webinars, Fireside Chats, our special events, and the events of our partnering organizations. You can even integrate this calendar into your own!
On Behalf of Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf and Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance, we are wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!
We are kicking off the year with leadership and a clear vision, committed to protecting the impaired wildlife and wolves giving second chances to countless animals throughout the coming year. It is essential to acknowledge that our ability to help both humans and wildlife in 2023 was made possible by the invaluable support of our dedicated advocates, volunteers and donors.
As we step into 2024, we eagerly anticipate welcoming new advocates and volunteers while ensuring that our donors remain well-informed about the positive impact their contributions enable. We are grateful for this remarkable community that stands behind us, making our meaningful work achievable.
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