Howl and Shout Out to South Pasadena Middle School 7th Graders !

Recently we did one of our wolf education programs for close to 400 7th graders at South Pasadena Middle School.  The program was a huge success! and the students, a lively, inquisitive and intelligent bunch, were enthralled with Allie, Takoda, Keme and Freedom and gained much knowledge about wolves and the need for their protection.

This is apparent in the incredibly insightful, passionate, informed and well written letters that they wrote to the CA Department of Fish and Game to support granting endangered status to wolves in California under the state's Endangered Species Act.  This to ensure protection for Journey (OR-7) and the wolves that will surely follow him migrating to California. The hearing is today.

While we await CA Fish and Game's decision, we want to give an especial Shout Out aka Howl to the students for their amazing letters and their compassion and passion for wolves- and I must add that if 7th graders are as intelligent and involved as these students, then we need not worry about the future for wolves or for ourselves. Here's the letter we sent to thank them personally:

Seventh Grade Students of SPMS

1500 Fair Oaks Ave.

South Pasadena, CA 91030

 

Dear Students,

I want to thank you all for taking the time out of your busy day at school to come to our assembly and also participating in a letter writing campaign to help put Journey and future wolves migrating to California on the California Endangered Species List. I read each and every one of your letters myself and am so impressed with your knowledge, your compassion and your  ability to express your thoughts so effectively.

So impressed ,that with your permission I would like to copy them and send them to  President Barack Obama on your behalf. As many of your letters expressed, it is never too late to do the right thing.

Please thank your teachers for their participation...Ms. Wells and the Science teachers that did a lesson on wolves for you as well. Their participation lets me know that you inquired for more knowledge about wolves and put research behind your decisions and  opinions.

I applaud you all for your commitment to this, even those who had some disagreement with us. I hope the California Fish & Game Commission sends you the information you requested. Please give yourselves and each other a hand. (I can hear you!)

As you hear my words in this letter, the Commission will be in session to hear arguments for and against the wolves being placed on the California Endangered Species List.

I am certain, all of you have made and will continue to  make a huge difference in their decision. I will continue to update you on the outcome.

Respectfully,

The Shadowland Foundation Pack,

Paul, Colette, Gwenn, Judy, Janice and especially Takoda, Alaska, Keme, Freedom and their pack mates.

So, THANK YOU All for your support of Shadowland and the wolves!

SAVE THE WOLVES FROM GUNS WITH BINOCULARS AND CAMERAS

As you may know, we recently lost our beloved black wolf Shadow, who inspired and fueled our passion to save wolves. We are determined to be as committed and resilient as she was in our mission.

This past May, in an unprecedented act, Congress removed Northern Rocky gray wolves from the Endangered Species List, stripping them of their federal protections. Currently, legal action is being taken by leading environmental organizations to prove that act to be unconstitutional and an abuse of the legislative process.

The legal process is extremely time consuming, and their success will come much too late for the wolves in Wyoming or Idaho and Montana, where wolf hunting season begins in August! Two thirds of the wolves are designated targets and Idaho is preparing to enact state laws that would guarantee them the right to enact similar laws as Wyoming where just last week, wolves were delisted and Secretary of State Ken Salazar and newly appointed head of Fish & Wildlife, Dan Ashe approved the state's current management that allows wolves to be shot on site at any time.

We believe that the only way to meet the immediate need to save these wolves is to launch a campaign demonstrating how very crucial they are not only to the environment but to the local economies; to show that they are more profitable alive than dead.

Ecotourism is a billion dollar industry for the Yellowstone National Park. In 2010, close to 4 million visitors that traveled there specifically to see wildlife, especially the wolf. Research suggests that visitors to the park stay an average of 3.2 days spending $108 per day. That equals approximately $1,382,400,000 and benefits local businesses, private citizens and local governments. Significantly more than revenue collected from hunting and fishing licenses combined. In spite of this, Congress voted to protect special interests that falsely blame the wolf for their economic losses. We want the people of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana and all visitors and friends of wildlife to speak up and let it be known that the wolf is good for business.

If you have not yet planned your summer or winter vacation, we ask that you take a trip to Yellowstone National Park, by way of Idaho or Montana and shout from the rooftops that you are there to see the wolves - armed with cameras and binoculars, instead of guns.

Because this is our first introduction of this campaign idea, your feedback would be greatly appreciated. We also urge you to participate by telling your friends and booking your trip for an exciting rescue and recovery mission...the wolves need your help!