Howling for Wolves Action Fund

January 13, 2018 Conferenced with federal lobbyist Fred Starcyzk to respond to bill HR 424 introduced in Washington, DC by Representatives Rick Nolan and Collin Peterson that will remove federal protections for the Great Lakes wolves and is exempt from judicial review.January 31, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in St. Cloud. A portion of these meetings is used to educate wolf advocates about contacting their state and federal legislators to change laws regarding the wolf hunt in Minnesota and trapping in general. Several federal efforts in Congress are underway to remove endangered species protection for the wolf. Devon shows wolf supports how they can track these bills on their own. February 28, 2018 Attended the St. Cloud State University Ecology Club meeting.March 3, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in Duluth. A portion of these meetings is used to educate wolf advocates about contacting their state and federal legislators to change laws regarding the wolf hunt in Minnesota and trapping in general. Several federal efforts in Congress are underway to remove endangered species protection for the wolf. March 10, 2018 Sponsored a table at the Blue State Ball where the local radio station, AM950 KTNF, hosts a political event for democratic farmer labor party candidates and political leaders. Howling For Wolves distributed information regarding the organizations action fund and state legislative initiatives with our five bills introduced for the 2018 state legislative session.March 17, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in St. Cloud. April 11, 2018 Wolf Day at the Capitol Several hundred supporters participated in meetings with their state lawmakers to advocate for the passage of the above bills. We held a rally in the Rotunda and speakers Senators Wiger and Hoffman, along with statements by lawmakers that received our award. Lisa Ciorlieri, Devon Bowker, and Dr. Maureen Hackett also spoke. Howling For Wolves created Champion of the Wolf awards and presented them to lawmakers that were helpful in sponsoring wolf protection bills or facilitating hearings on bills. May 12, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in St. Cloud. May 18, 2018 Dr. Hackett submitted written testimony to the House Committee on Appropriations.June 9, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in St. Cloud. June 28, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in Duluth. July 7, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in St. Cloud. July 14, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in Thief River Falls. July 25, 2018 Dr. Hackett met with Minnesota Department of Agriculture staff regarding the nonlethal methods funding program that is managed by MN Dept of Ag. Met with Whitney Place and Andrea Daubel. We spoke about how killing wolves will make the nonlethal methods less effective because you are having to retrain new wolves on the boundaries being protected by the farmers. We shared information with Andrea about the use of livestock guard animals and various resources to obtain these for farmers. We also recommended for a consultant on specific conflict prevention projects that they consider hiring Carter Niemeyer. We discussed our Miscounting Minnesota Wolves video.July 28, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in Grand Rapids. September 15, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in St. Cloud. September 29, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in Duluth. October 6, 2018 Wolf Pack meeting in Grand Rapids. November, 2018 Noted legislator changes following elections and their positions on animal rights and wolves population. Continued to track bills and encourage activism on the web site and social media by posting news and articles on social media December, 2018 Maintain web site news and encourage activism and support on social media. Begin the planning for events and activities for the upcoming year.