Program Night: Wolves in Washington State: Are We Ready?

Thursday, March 26, 2009

7:00 Tribute to Amy McQuade

We will begin our evening with a PowerPoint tribute to Amy McQuade and a reading of her obituary by Bob Gerschmel.  Amy was one of our founding members and served on the Board of Directors for nearly 25 years - a great leader and inspiration. Amy passed away in February, 2008.

7:10 Presentation - Washington Wolves

We then welcome wildlife biologist, Gary Wiles, and his presentation on wolves in Washington State.  Yes, gray wolves have migrated from Canada to the Okanogan and we want to learn more about them. Gary will discuss the biology of wolves and enlighten us about some of the common myths about this majestic animal.  He will also discuss the past and current population status of wolves in Washington and show pictures of the recent wolf sightings.  

In our state wolves are currently protected, but we are thinking ahead and we are ready!  Gary will discuss ongoing efforts by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (and others) to prepare the state’s new conservation and management plan for wolves.  He will also have some things we can do to help this plan become law and will answer questions at the break.

Gary earned a Masters degree in Wildlife Biology from Purdue University, served in the Peace Corps in Thailand, and worked on Guam as biologist for nearly 20 years, where he studied flying foxes and other endangered species.  He joined the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in 2003, where he works as an endangered species biologist at the Olympia headquarters - mainly with killer whales, Washington ground squirrels, and wolves.

7:45 Chapter Announcements and Refreshments Break

After the first half of Gary’s presentation, we will have our chapter announcements and then break for refreshments, socializing and the ever-popular Activity Fair. 

We will have a new Birdathon table and lots of pictures of people having a good time participating in Eastside Audubon activities.  This is a great time to show your guests what we do, introduce them to other members, and answer any questions they night have about our chapter.

8:20 Presentation - Yellowstone Wolves

During the second half of our program, we will hear about a thriving, highly visible (and more controversial) population of wolves: the popular Yellowstone wolves of the Northern Rockies region. We will find out how wolves have benefited natural plant and animal communities in the park.  We will learn about what happened to wolves in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana when their Endangered Species Act protection was removed and what is being done to prevent this from happening again.  We will finish our program with a 15 minute excerpt from “In the Valley of Wolves,” the heart-wrenching story of how the Druid wolf pack was driven from Lamar Valley and how they rebuilt their clan and returned to claim their home again.  

Please join us Thursday, March 26, for Gary’s enlightening presentation on Washington wolves and the wonderful footage of the Yellowstone wolves.  The evening will start promptly at 7:00.  You are welcome to come early and enjoy the Activity Fair.

The presentation is free and open to the public.  Invite a friend or anyone who wants to know what wolves are really like.

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