The Wolf Connection

Mario Canseco is the President of Research Co. since 2018, and has analyzed and conducted public opinion research since 2003. He has been working with The Fur-Bearers, whose mission is to protect fur-bearing animals through conservation, advocacy, research, and education since 2013 collecting gray wolf public opinion research. The Fur-Bearers have collaborated with researchers Stephanie Rutherford, PhD (Associate Professor, Trent University) and Valli Fraser-Celin, PhD (Independent Researcher) to understand Canada’s perceptions and attitudes towards wolves. Mario spoke about the results of the survey, which explored what Canadians know about wolves, how they feel about these animals, and what would motivate people to protect wolves. Canadian Wolf Survey Results The Fur-Bearers Website: Social Landscape of Wolves @furbearers @thewolfconnectionpod

Ben Bluhm has been photographing wildlife for over 3 years and volunteers with Utah Mountain Lion Conservation. He has used some of his photos to help non-profit organizations with visual storytelling and promoting their missions. Ben spoke to us about some of his incredible wolf photos, and how he's helping with causes related to conservation and preservation of wildlife in the western U.S. **To view the photos we discuss in this episode, find @thewolfconnectionpod or @wolfconnection on Instagram and follow along!** @benbwildlife @thewolfconnectionpod @wolfconnection

Claire Davis is the Founder of Washington Wildlife First and Animal & Earth Advocates, a Seattle-area law firm that brings public interest litigation on behalf of animals, wildlife, and the environment. Washington Wildlife First is the only Washington nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to monitoring and reforming the state agency that is supposed to protect the state's fish and wildlife. Claire spoke about the mission for Washington Wildlife First, the issues surrounding the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the disconnect between the people of Washington, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife practices. Washington Wildlife First @wawildlifefirst @thewolfconnectionpod

Brad Orsted is an award-winning wildlife and conservation filmmaker/photographer, author, speaker and wilderness therapy instructor. Brad’s first memoir, Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild, is out now and available for purchase in all places where books are sold. He spoke to us about his process of writing his memoir, his feelings surrounding its release to the public, and the message he hopes it conveys to those who read it. Brad Orsted Website @brad_orsted @thewolfconnectionpod

John E. Marriott has been photographing wildlife for over 30 years and has authored multiple books on wolves, bears and national parks. He is involved in Canadian conservation issues with his non-profit organization, EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy, which provides ethical and science-based solutions to solve the most pressing wildlife management challenges today. John spoke at length about his experiences as a young, up and coming photographer, his wolf books, The Kootenay Wolves: Five Years Following a Wild Wolf Pack and The Pipestone Wolves: The Rise and Fall of a Wolf Family, and his conservation efforts in Canada's wilderness. John E. Marriott Website Exposed Wildlife Conservancy @johnemarriott @thewolfconnectionpod

Michelle Lute is the Co-Executive Director for Wildlife For All, whose mission is to reform wildlife management in the U.S. to be more democratic, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. She is a conservation scientist and advocate with nearly twenty years experience in biodiversity conservation on public and private lands around the globe. Michelle spoke about the efforts of Wildlife For All, the impacts of wildlife management on wolves and other predators, and how collaboration could be the key to reach solutions for wildlife and wild lands. @wildlife.for.all @coolhandlute Wildlife For All @thewolfconnectionpod

**UPDATE** Shortly after we recorded this episode, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife kill order for the Five Points Pack, claimed the lives of 4 wolves from that pack. That order has been lifted, however another kill order was issued for the Lookout Mountain Pack for up to two wolves. These orders were issued due to livestock depredations and conflicts. Updates on these lethal removal orders from Oregon Department of Fish Wildlife can be seen here also follow John Marchwick on Twitter (X) for more information @JohnMarchwick John Marchwick is a multi-generational Montanan who grew up in the Greater Yellowstone area, and as a young child he was taught to have a hatred towards wolves. However, at 15 years old, wolf OR-54 whom he learned about from a family relative in California, began to change his perception of wolves. He is currently a sophomore at Cal Poly Humboldt majoring in wildlife management and conservation, and hopes one day to become a wolf biologist. We first heard about John's story at the Yellowstone Wolf Summit in Gardiner, Montana. He spoke candidly about his upbringing, the ways he was taught to dislike wolves, and how he became a wolf advocate on multiple fronts. @thewolfconnectionpod California Wolf Watch

Dave Stalling is a former Force Recon Marine who has deeper understanding of what it means to be part of the natural world. He was the former conservation writer for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations - Bugle Magazine for a decade. He has also worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and is a past President of the Montana Wildlife Federation. He now serves on the Advisory Committee for Wildlife for All. Dave spoke about his deep passion for Grizzly Bears, nature, and all predators including wolves. He went in depth about the beliefs within his hunting circles and communities, which led to his departure from several organizations, and why wildlife management practices need to change. Dave Stalling Wildlife For All @thewolfconnectionpod

Katie Jackson is a freelance writer who covers adventure travel, camping, national parks, and outdoor gear, that has been featured in Outside Magazine and USA Today. She recently published an essay in Outside Magazine titled: My Rancher Parents Hate Wolves. I Took Them on a Wolf-Watching Tour in Yellowstone to Change Their Minds. She talked with us about her upbringing in a ranching family, the career she's built as a freelance writer, and how she looked to bring two differing views on wolves together. My Rancher Parents Hate Wolves. I Took Them on a Wolf-Watching Tour in Yellowstone to Change Their Minds. @katietalkstravel @thewolfconnectionpod

Joanna Lambert is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Faculty in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology for the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Her research has covered primates in Africa, wolves in the Rocky Mountain West, and animals as they adapt to human based landscapes. She is also the Senior Science Advisor for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project. Joanna spoke to us about wolves in her research, their relationship with humans over time, and shared more information about the upcoming wolf reintroduction in Colorado. @joanna.e.lambert Joanna Lambert Website Lambert Lab @thewolfconnectionpod

Candace Dyar is a nature and conservation photographer, educator, wildlife & wolf advocate based in Washington State for nearly two decades. Her work has captured the attention of global audiences and been featured by acclaimed outlets such as World Wildlife Fund and The Weather Channel / Pattrn. Candace shared some of her incredible wolf photos and the stories behind them! She also spoke about her background, and the impact her photos have made on people around her. Candace Dyar Photography @candacedyar @thewolfconnectionpod

This is the third and final podcast recorded at The 2023 Yellowstone Wolf Summit in Gardiner, Montana! Doug Smith recently retired as the Senior Wildlife Biologist in Yellowstone National park after 28 years of service where he supervised the wolf, elk, and bird programs. Doug has studied wolves for 44 years, done over 2,000 interviews, and appeared on numerous documentaries about wolves and birds for National Geographic, BBC, and CBS 60 Minutes. He is a member of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Team, the Re-Introduction Specialist Group, and the Canid Specialist Group for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Doug spoke about his career at Yellowstone National Park, his passion for wolves, stories from his time at the wolf project, and how he's continuing to fight for wolves on the landscape since his retirement. Bozeman Daily Chronicle The Intercept - Doug Smith

This is the second podcast recorded at The 2023 Yellowstone Wolf Summit in Gardiner, Montana! Kristin Combs is the Executive Director of Wyoming Wildlife Advocates, which informs, educates, and empowers communities to preserve wild legacy, protect shared wildlife and modernize wildlife management across the state. Kristin discussed her presentation, her thoughts on the summit and coexistence measures for wolves moving forward. @wyomingwildlifeadvocates Wyoming Wildlife Advocates @wolves_of_the_rockies @thewolfconnectionpod

This is the first of our podcasts recorded at The 2023 Yellowstone Wolf Summit in Gardiner, Montana! Garrick Dutcher is the Research & Program Director for Living with Wolves. He has been working on wolf related education in Idaho for over 20 years. Living with Wolves is dedicated to engaging the public worldwide in education, outreach and research to promote truth and understanding about wolves, while encouraging coexistence and inspiring people to take action to protect them. Garrick spoke to us about his presentation and thoughts on the summit, as well as ways to help coexistence with wolves in Idaho. Living With Wolves Website @living_w_wolves @thewolfconnectionpod Wolves of the Rockies Website

Welcome to our 150th episode! Stephen Rivera and John Calfa preview the Yellowstone Wolf Summit taking place in Montana June 21st through June 23rd, discuss the speakers coming to the event, and talk about incredible content that will be shared from that week. Follow us on our Instagram for stories, content and posts throughout the summit and feel free to DM us: @thewolfconnectionpod Email us your questions for potential guests in Yellowstone! podcast@wolfconnection.org

Anna Maziuk is a Polish journalist and author that specializes in nature writings. She also conducts creative workshops for children and adults, often inspired by natural phenomena and direct contact with nature in all its forms. Since 2014, she has dedicated her life to telling the stories of wolves. Anna's book Instynkt, About Wolves in Polish Forests, discusses the social, cultural and legal issues surrounding wolves in Poland. She spoke about her childhood growing up near forests and nature, how she got into journalism, when wolves became her life's work, and the complicated relationship wolves have with people in Poland. @anna_maziuk

Matt Yamashita has been with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for 17 years. He is currently the Supervisor and Area 8 CPW Wildlife Manager for the agency and was recently invited to take part on the panel discussion at the ACES event, 'Living with Wolves: Coexistence in Colorado' in Aspen. Listen to the event here! Matt spoke to us about his background at CPW, delved extensively into the wolf reintroduction coming up soon in and the many contributing factors surrounding the process. Wolves in Colorado & Wolf Management Plan (CPW) @coparkswildlife

Kurt Holtzen has been a Field Advisor and a Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Specialist for nearly 20 years. He assists with predator coexistence at Lava Lake Lamb in Idaho and is a Conflict Reduction Consortium for the Western Landowner Association. Kurt explained his techniques on preventing predation among livestock, updated us on his endeavors in Colorado ahead of wolf reintroduction, and spoke about new tools he has created to help reduce wolf-livestock depredation. @wilderness_trails_project Lava Lake Lamb Website Squawk Box Demonstration

Tom Walker has been living near Denali National Park in Alaska for nearly 60 years. He is an award winning photographer and writer specializing in Alaska's natural history and wildlife. His latest book, The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey, details the epic journey of Wolf 258, as he traveled nearly 3,000 miles in less than 6 months. Tom discussed his process when writing this book, the incredible terrain and obstacles on Wolf 258's trek, and the impacts of politics, climate, and social tolerance that were surrounding this story. The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf's Final Journey is published by Mountaineers Books and can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible and local book stores. @mtnbooks Tom Walker Website Mountaineers Books Website

Amanda Beer is the Director of Programs for Wolf Connection. She joined John and Stephen to discuss the new multimedia educational platform for youth called "Wolf Lessons for Human Lives", which was a project years in the making. This platform is meant to bring Wolf Connection's signature empowerment program to the internet and beyond! Amanda, John & Stephen discussed their overall involvement in the project, the message and vision of the program, and how everyone can get involved as a tester, partner, and collaborator. For more information www.wolflessons.org Email: wolflessons@wolfconnection.org @wolfconnection @thewolfconnectionpod