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:
– PAST EVENTS –
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.
