Last week I was lucky enough to accompany conservationists, farmers and hunters from across the Great Lakes States as they converged on Washington DC. They came hundreds of miles to talk to their elected officials. They echoed the voice of millions of Americans who value our wild spaces and all the creatures that occupy them. We were joined by Barry Babcock and Sandra Skinaway from Minnesota. Barry is a decade long hunter and conservationist. Sandra is the chairwoman of the Sandy Lake Band of Mississippi Chippewa, and a long time wolf advocate. From Wisconsin we had Mary Falk, an organic cheese farmer who uses protection dogs for her flock. Also from Wisconsin was Melissa Smith, a Madison based Wolf advocate and conservationist. We were lucky to have Endangered Species Coalition board member Major General Michael Lehnert (Ret) join us from Michigan. (Michael Lehnert’s recent op-ed.)

Great Lakes wolf advocates in front of the White House.
Great Lakes wolf advocates in front of the White House.

Our delegation of Great Lakes participants met with some of their elected leaders and made clear their support of the Endangered Species Act. They did an amazing job reverberating our coalition’s message of support for the Endangered Species Act. Their compelling personal experiences in our nation’s wild spaces have left them with an appreciation for our ecology that few will ever experience. It was absolutely vital that lawmakers heard their voice so that they can better understand this important issue through the eyes of the people who live and work among wolves daily.

These voices came to speak out against any congressional attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act with species specific attacks. Currently, there are two bills introduced in the US Congress that would aim to chip away at the Endangered Species Act, both H.R. 884 and H.R. 843 would not only undermine wolf recovery, but also the Endangered Species Act itself. The Endangered Species Act is one of the most effective and important environmental laws in our nation’s history. We have brought many species back from the brink of extinction. That is why it is so important we safeguard our progress by ensuring we have the strongest Endangered Species Act as possible.

I am grateful for the support of these amazing and dedicated individuals. We had an amazing experience and their thoughtful insights will go a long way to help our campaign. Please help us and make your voice heard as well!

Contact your federal lawmakers and tell them NOT to remove federal protection for wolves.

Send a letter to the editor to help spread the word about the assault on wildlife and the Endangered Species Act.

 

Stay Informed!

15 comments on “Great Lakes Advocates Speak out for Wolves in D.C.

  1. I WISH WITH ALL MY HEART THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IS PASSED FOR ALL OF THE MAGNIFICENT WILDLIFE OF ALL AMERICAS TO BE PRESERVED, ADMIRED AND RESPECTED
    SPECIALLY ALL WOLVES THAT FOR SOME MOST EVIL REASON ARE UNDER ATTACK BY THE UNLAWFUL AMERICAN CONGRESS IN THE WHOLE OF AMERICAN SOIL. SUCH MAKES
    IT OBVIOUS THAT THESE CONGRESS PEOPLE EITHER HAVE NO SOUL OR ARE SO FEARFUL
    FOR THEIR LIVES AND THEIR FAMILY’S LIVES THAT THEY HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO GO ALONG WITH THE MURDER OF WOLVES. IF THIS LAST COMMENT IS THE REASON I URGE YOU CONGRESS PEOPLE PLEASE TURN TO THE LIGHT AND YOU SHALL BE RECEIVED WITH KINDNESS AND LOVE AND WILL BE PROTECTED ACCORDINGLY. WE LOVE YOU
    AS EVERY SINGLE CREATION SEEN OR UNSEEN ARE PART OF THE WHOLE AND SO
    THEREFORE ALL OF YOU AND US ARE REALLY “ONE”. OUR FABRIC OF SELF CREATION
    IS “PURE ENERGY” AND ALL THAT EXISTS IS PART OF EVERYTHING ELSE. COME TO US
    AS WE JUDGE NO ONE AND WISH SINCERELY TO EMBRACE YOU AS OUR SPIRITUAL
    (ENERGETIC) FAMILY. LET’S HAVE A NEW LOVING, CARING AND PEACEFUL
    CO-OPERATION WITH ONE ANOTHER AND ENJOY HAPPINESS WHICH FOR THOUSANDS
    OF YEARS HAS SO FAR BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH PLEASE!
    NO MORE SEPARATION! LET’S UNITE ONCE AND FOR ALL! HALLELUJAH

  2. Dear Sir or Madame;

    Please do not weaken the endangered species protection that wolves and other large predators need to survive. I as a tourist wish to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat protected for our future and that of our grandchildren. Set aside parks and wilderness areas to refresh our need for natural places and let them be undisturbed!

    Thank you

    Jacqueline Malinowska

  3. Since Jon Tester and Mike Simpson slipped in the Wolf delisting rider in a must pass bill in 2011 Gray Wolves have been slaughtered extensively in this country,and over 3,000 have already been slaughtered in just 6 states.Even though these hunts are NOT supported by the best available science they still continue.The majority of Americans DO NOT SUPPORT the Wolf hunts,and even though the Wolf is considered a sacred animal to many cultures,and in many religions,our government still allows the slaughter of these animals.Many of us in this country now suffer psychological damage,and have lost valuable relationships ,not only with friends and family,but also with our significant others,all because of these barbaric hunts.

  4. I do not live in the US, but if I did I would be fighting for the Endangered Species Act. Human activity has seen the demise of so many species and it is time to really protect those animals who are iconic in American history.
    I particularly defend wolves. Using the Internet I have learned so much about how they live but also how many ranchers live WITH them, using non – lethal deterrents.
    It has been shown through research that wolves are essential for the ecosystem. Consider the regeneration of Yellowstone National Park; reintroducing wolves did this.
    I hope the people of the US will fight for their wildlife. It would be a sad world without the species that your act protects.
    One day I might be privileged to hear the wild wolves howling. How lucky you people are to live in a country where that is possible.
    Please support the Endangered Species Act.

  5. As a Michigan resident, I’m well aware that the majority of Michigan residents have spoken loud and clear that they oppose any form of wolf hunt and should remain on the E.S.A as did a federal judge so this so we need to Keep Michigan Wolves Protected!!!

  6. We are begging you please – Save our wildlife for our children’s children. We need them too.

  7. wolves keep the balance in nature! Listen to SCIENCE, not selfish lobbyists representing ranchers only. Wolves belong in the ecosystem……. do not mess with it! We are watching and will vote accordingly!

  8. Wolves are essential!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Wolves are endangered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We must protect them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  9. Recently with the news the Black Rhino becoming extinct now more than ever we need to wake up and realize how detrimental our actions are to the world in general.We need to be not only backing but strengthening laws such as ESA. A major cause of all the damage done to the Earth is greed. Greed from the ranchers that expect to be able to kill any animal that may affect their cattle, even though there are humane ways to ward off predators (ie: some places in Scandinavia farmers broadcast wolf calls to tell other wolves in the area not to come in). Keep in mind most ranchers have insurance to cover any loses of their herds. The number of cattle lost to predators in most areas is so low it’s almost not worth mentioning in most areas more cattle are lost due to disease than confirmed predator attacks per year, but they hang on to this argument. Greed from governments that make or change laws that greatly affect wildlife and wild areas in the hopes of saving a few dollars, consider that they spend more on culling in most cases then any conservation, or in attempt to keep the rich ranchers, developers, oil and mining companies happy forgetting that tax payers are the ones that keep them in power. Then they try to tell us that it’s all in the name of progress?? Progress would be humans living with nature, not trying to live above it. Progress would be putting enough money in everyone’s pockets not just in a select few, progress would be animals safe because we would understand that we need to be stewards to nature and not it’s destroyers. The Earth has enough to keep everyone fed but some people never learned or forgot to share.

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