May 2023

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST YOUTH LEADER

IVY RAEN ALCAZAR

Ivy Raen Alcazar is 14 years old and has been advocating for wolves for over 6 years. She founded an organization and designed a website where she educates thousands of individuals on why wolves are so vital to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Just last year, Ivy launched two petitions that would help protect Northern Rocky Mountain wolves and red wolves. Ivy is forever dedicated to educating people and continuing to fight for such an essential species.

You can visit her website by going to www.saveawolf.org

and sign her petitions by going to https://www.change.org/p/restore-protections-for-northern-rocky-mountain-wolves?redirect=false

IF YOU KNOW OF JUNIOR WOLFWATCHER, YOUTH LEADER, CONTACT US AT [email protected]

HR 764 UPDATE

On April 28, 2023 Trust the Science Act which requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, passed in Committee. The Vote was 21/16 and now moves to the full House.

Ironically, it is not based on science or the principles of democracy as the final rule will not be subject to judicial review.

Call or write your representative asking them to oppose HR 764 by simply stating that wildlife should not be managed through legislation. Click to Find Contact Information for your Representative (Scroll Down once you click link)

Other Talking Points:

Weather and habitat loss, not wolves have the greatest impact on ungulate populations

Wolves pose little risk to humans

Wolf / Livestock conflicts are low

PHOTO CREDIT STEPHANIE PERRY

ESA UNDER ATTACK

The Senate recently voted to OVERTURN two actions by Fish and Wildlife Service scientists to protect endangered species. Both bills passed by a single vote. Meddling in individual species decisions is not the job of politicians!

The first bill, supported by Senator King (I-ME), rolled back an expansion of protected habitat for imperiled species. Habitat loss is the leading cause of species extinctions. Rolling back habitat protections at a time of mass extinction is completely unacceptable.

The second bill, supported by Senator Klobuchar (D-MN) slashes protections for Northern long eared bats, whose populations are plunging due to white nose syndrome—a disease that attacks bats during hibernation, ultimately taking their lives.

Senator Klobuchar, is no friend of the wolf either as she supports legislation that would delist wolves.

Contact your Senator but especially target Senator Klobuchar. Tell your Senator to stand up for the ESA; Stand up for biodiversity. A sample tweet @SenAmyKlobuchar biodiversity should be your top priority, not your corporate donors.

MINNESOTA UPDATE

The Minnesota state legislature’s Environment, Climate and Energy conference committee excluded legislation that would have prohibited wolf hunting and trapping from the final bill.

The prohibition on wolf hunting/trapping passed the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote with a huge margin of 69-57. The bill did not get a vote in the Senate.

With only a one-seat Democratic majority, the leadership was protective about what votes their members should take. As a result, the wolf-hunting prohibition was excluded from the final omnibus environment bill.

Those who support the recreational hunting of wolves, in the name of “management,” ignores the basic biological and social aspects of the wolf .

This is a setback, as we had hoped this legislation could have been a model for other states to follow.

We will not give up fighting to ensure the wolf's howl will be heard in areas of suitable habitat. Their future is depends on us.

PHOTO CREDIT TRISTEN ALDER

THANK YOU!

Without YOU, our loyal supporters, the National Wolfwatcher Coalition would not exist. We are appreciative of your support throughout the past years and look forward to your continued support in the future!

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