WiserEarth Area of Focus Suggestions

Jim Rieder has worked 25 years with wolves and has spent almost a quarter of a million dollars of his own funds to pursue this avocation because of his conviction that so much more should be learned and done. When he no longer was able to personally finance this undertaking, the "Timber Wolf Preservation Society Inc." was formed in August, 1979. The society is a state chartered, non-profit corporation with about 800 members throughout the United States and other countries. It's operation and policy is established by a group of volunteer officers and directors. Because the I.R.S. has granted tax-exempt status, dues and donations are tax deductible. The Society is devoted to the preservation and protection of the Eastern Timber Wolf, and owns and maintains 16 pure blooded Eastern Timber Wolves. Primary interest has been in educating people in the value of the wolf, reintroduction of wolves into a suitable habitat.



Since 1981 the Society has all but abandoned any further direct work on reintroduction for a number of reasons. First, wolves are making a comeback on their own in Wisconsin. There are approximately 50 wild wolves in the state in 11 or more packs [1991 data]. Second, in order for Rieder's plan to be put into effect, there are many obstacles to be overcome. Local acceptance and permission in the release area needs to be obtained; State and Federal permits must be approved; environmental] impact statements have to be filed; follow-up studies made; compensation has to be available to farmers who might lose livestock and large amounts of liability insurance would be necessary. These are considerable problems for a small organization with limited funds. The Society still stands ready to work with any State or Federal agency that wants to try Rieder's plan; however, we decided our main thrust will be public education.



The Society is not only dedicated to the preservation of the Timber Wolf, but to all other wildlife as well. Therefore if wolves, as well as other native species. are to make any kind of comeback in Wisconsin, it is necessary for the public to understand and appreciate the predator/prey relationship in the balance of nature. It is to this end that the Society is working. We believe that a large part of the reason for the wolf’s endangered status is due to widespread misunderstanding concerning its nature and place in the environment. Through lectures to schools, civic and sportsman groups and media interviews, the Society hopes to dispel false notions and past myths about the wolf and to instill a sense of value for a missing part of our wilderness areas. "We want to take the bad out of the “Big Bad Wolf.” says Rieder. Man's tolerance toward the wolf is its only chance for survival.



THE FUTURE

The society will continue to work towards public awareness regarding the wolf as well as other endangered species. The major means of spreading the word will continue to be the education programs and visits to the farm. We are currently adding the sound track to a film depicting wolf and man inter-relating at the Society’s farm, to be used with the lecture program. It is hoped that in the near future the Newsletter (sent to members) can be expanded to include even more facts and information. If funding becomes available, we would also like to develop a program of sending information to schools in the area or even the state. Our long range plans include the possibility of a large fenced area where a pack could roam more naturally and an education center designed for giving lectures to visiting groups. Also our major objective, to continue the maintenance of a viable breeding gene pool of “Eastern Timber Wolves.”