Please Take Action: WDNR Application Process is Open to Advocacy Organizations to Join the Wolf Management Plan Committee

Photograph of gray wolf credit Snapshot Wisconsin

The Wisconsin DNR has opened the application process for wolf advocacy groups to join the Wolf Management Plan Committee by applying for a seat at the table.
Wisconsin needs strong organizations with experience to speak for wolves, to hold the line against big ag & hunting groups, that will also be on the committee. Humane Society of the United States, Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club recently through their weight in to help stop the recent slaughter of wolves by signing onto the appeal. Wisconsin’s Green Fire is an organization made up with scientists and lawyers, professionals that have a wolf plan, that pushes for public input and transparency. Timber Wolf Alliance and Timber Wolf Information Network organizations have sound scientific education programs and years of experience educating the public about Wisconsin’s wolves. Below you’ll find all the contact information for these six wolf advocacy organizations.

Please contact the following organizations and ask them to apply for a seat on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wolf Management Plan Committee.

Wisconsin Humane Society of the United States click contact: HERE,

Sierra Club of Wisconsin contact: click HERE,

Center for Biological Diversity contact: Minneapolis: (651) 955.3821
cadkins@biologicaldiversity.org. Duluth: (218) 464-0539 mfink@biologicaldiversity.org

Wisconsin’s Green Fire contract: You can get in touch with us by filling out the form or by emailing us directly at Info@WIGreenFire.org. Wisconsin’s Green Fire
PO Box 1206,
Rhinelander, WI 54501 715-203-0384

Timber Wolf Information Network contact: mail@timberwolfinformation.org

Timber Wolf Alliance contact: Email: Send a message Telephone:715-682-1489

The following is from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website regarding the Wolf Management Plan’s process.

The Wisconsin DNR is in the process of updating our state’s wolf management plan. The DNR is committed to a transparent, deliberative and inclusive management plan update process that recognizes the diversity of interest areas regarding wolf management.

Today, the Wisconsin DNR manages wolves following the current Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan and in accordance with state statute. The plan underwent a review process in 2005-06 and was updated in 2007. Wisconsin’s wolf population has changed in the years since the current management plan was last reviewed. In that time, our understanding of population dynamics has improved as well. The current process to revise Wisconsin’s wolf management plan will equip the DNR and stakeholders with scientifically sound and culturally relevant management of this iconic, native species.

The wolf management plan provides overall guidance to the state’s wolf management efforts. During the plan update process, the DNR will collect extensive public input through a wolf management plan committee, an online questionnaire and an opportunity to review and comment on an initial draft of the management plan. Throughout the process, the DNR will work closely with our tribal partners and other natural resource professionals involved in wolf management in Wisconsin.

February – March 2021

  • Invite Tribal Partners: The DNR invites tribal participation and membership on the new WMPC.
  • WMPC Application Opens: The application period opens for stakeholder organizations to apply for a seat on the committee.

April 2021

  • Public Input Open April 15 – May 15: The public is invited to comment on the future of wolf management in Wisconsin.

July – October 2021

  • WMPC Meetings: The WMPC convenes for a series of four meetings to discuss recommendations for the revised wolf management plan.

November 2021 – January 2022

  • The DNR drafts a revised wolf management plan based on the best available science, public input and WMPC recommendations.

February 2022

  • Draft Available For Public Input: The DNR seeks public input on the initial draft of the revised wolf management plan.
  • Public Information Sessions: The DNR hosts two public information sessions before preparing for a final draft of the revised wolf management plan.

March – May 2022

  • The DNR revises the draft plan based on public input.

June 2022

  • Final Plan Draft Presented to Natural Resources Board: The NRB reviews and considers approval of the updated wolf management plan.

PUBLIC INPUT

The DNR is developing an online public questionnaire that will be used to collect extensive public input on wolf management from all interested individuals. This input will be used by the DNR to guide both short-term (fall 2021 harvest) and long-term (management plan) management objectives.

This questionnaire will be launched on this page in spring 2021.

Responses to the questionnaire will be used alongside the DNR’s extensive, scientific 2014 survey on Wisconsinites’ attitudes toward wolves. At the time this survey was conducted, wolves were under state management, including annual regulated harvest seasons. The information gained remains relevant today and will be considered throughout the wolf management plan update process. You can read the full report on the survey here.

WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN COMMITTEE

A new wolf management plan committee (WMPC) will be formed through an application process in spring 2021. The WMPC’s purpose is to provide input and recommendations to the DNR, ultimately resulting in a wolf management plan with broad public and scientific support.

The WMPC will be an inclusive and diverse committee made up of individuals representing hunting/trapping organizations, wolf advocacy/education organizations and agricultural/ranching organizations. In addition to these stakeholder seats, representation by certain government agencies, tribes and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress will also be invited by the Department.

To learn more about the WMPC purpose, membership, and specifications, check out the committee charter.Stakeholder organizations interested in joining the committee are encouraged to apply before 11:59 p.m. on March 19.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WISCONSIN’S WOLF POPULATION AND MANAGEMENT

Visit our page on wolves in Wisconsin to learn more about our state’s wolf population and how the DNR manages wolves. To learn more about wolf confilict management, visit the wolf depredation page.

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