Utah Wolf Forum established
This coalition will help prepare the way for wolves in
Utah
1-2-2003
A group has formed to recruit Utah ranchers, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and other interested citizens, to support a "science-based" wolf management plan for the state of Utah.
Here is the news release on the Utah Wolf Forum.
For Immediate Release:
New Citizens’ Coalition: The Utah Wolf Forum readies Utahns for the return of the gray wolf to the state.
Contact: Allison Jones, Biologist, The Wild Utah Project
wup1@xmission.com
68 South Main St., Suite 400
801.328.3550Backup: Kirk Robinson, Executive Director, Western Wildlife Conservancy
predator@xmission.com
68 South Main St., Suite 400
801.575.7101
Utah Wolf Forum website:
http://www.brwcouncil.org/html/utwolforum.htmlTraveling over 200 miles from Yellowstone, wolf #253 recently sparked the imagination of all Utahns when he ventured into Utah. It is clear that we will soon have a population of wolves back in the beehive state.
A new coalition of Utah conservationists, scientists and other concerned citizens was formed this week to assist Utahns in assimilating naturally recolonizing wolves through science and education. The coalition is currently recruiting Utah ranchers, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and other interested citizens, to join the forum and lend their support. The aim of the collaborative group is to work with the state to produce a timely and science-based wolf management plan for Utah that will allow a place for this ecologically essential species. Since there is a threat that the Utah Legislature will try to prevent the recolonization of wolves in our state, the majority of Utahns (61% according to one recent poll) who are in favor of wolf recolonization now have a forum through which they can become better informed on this issue and make their views known.
Recently a group of researchers at Utah State University published a scientific report on the impacts of wolf recolonization in Utah. “Based on the findings of our report, the ecological benefits of wolf recovery in other areas have outweighed the economic costs, said Adam Switalski, lead author on the USU report and on the Science Advisory Board for the new Utah Wolf Forum.
The Utah Wolf Forum sent a letter Monday to Kevin Conway, Director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, with recommendations for immediately adopting a state policy for responding to instances where wolves enter the state and show up on private ranches, in coyote traps, or other circumstances. Currently, the Division has no clear policy for dealing with these wolf-related issues. In the longer term, the Utah Wolf Forum strongly urges the Division to create a wolf recovery plan for the State, using the recently published USU report for guidance.
The Utah Wolf Forum lends a voice to a number of conservation and wildlife organizations that are concerned with wolf recovery in Utah. We are elated that Wolf is coming home to Utah, said Margaret Pettis, Board Member of the High Uintas Preservation Council, and member of the new Utah Wolf Forum. To eventually hear the song of the wolf in my home state would be a dream come true, said Dan Miller, Board Chair of the Bear River Watershed Council. For me to sit at the table with these scientists and concerned citizens is an honor. Kirk Robinson, executive director of Western Wildlife Conservancy, said We are happy to be part of this pioneering effort to help one of Utah’s native species come home. The wolf is essential to preserving Utah’s natural heritage.
Goals of the Utah Wolf Forum include:
http://www.brwcouncil.org/html/utwolforum.html Establishing a strong partnership with the Division of Wildlife Resources, hunters, ranchers, the Ute tribe, and other concerned Utahns, as we address the wolf issue together;
Use science particularly ecology and conservation biology as the basis for decision-making, management and planning regarding wolves in the state;
Educate Utah citizens on the biological, social, economic, ethical and legal issues regarding natural wolf recolonization in the state;
Work to protect suitable habitat for wolves in Utah.
Utah Wolf Forum website:
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Copyright © 2003 Ralph Maughan
Not to be reprinted, archived, redistributed, etc., without permission.Ralph Maughan PO Box 8264, Pocatello, ID 83209