Conservation Northwest

2011 A Wild Year around washington Kit McGurn Outreach associate, kit@conservationnw.org Stepping up for conservation Thanks to citizens of all stripes, the Northwest is on the forefront of grassroots environmental activism for protecting wildlife and wilderness. Throughout 2011, Conservation Northwest supporters stepped up, especially for wolves. Celebrating the return of the wolf, supporters in Washington packed meeting rooms to learn more about how to ensure wolves remain a part of our landscape and heritage. We hosted standing-room only events on wolves in North Bend, Seattle, Spokane, Ellensburg, and Yakima. Attended by 200 people, our first ever, "Living with Wolves" event at the Burke Museum in Seattle was one of the largest events ever held at the Burke. That kind of turnout demonstrates that Washingtonians have a keen interest in our native wildlife. A 2008 statewide poll by the Fish and Wildlife showed 75% support for recovery of Washington's wolves. Beginning in late summer, four public meetings on the state's wolf plan drew voices from all sides, including major public support for Washington's wolves. Conservation Spokane wolf hearing Northwest and our supporters. Crystal Gartner partners turned out more than 100 activists to testify in person, no small feat when you consider that each meeting was an all-day affair during the middle of the week! At the hearings, people supporting wolves and a plan for wolves outnumbered those opposed nearly two to one. In early December, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission votes whether to approve of the plan. Wolf recovery wasn't the only issue our grassroots solidly supported this year. For the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Keeping the Northwest wild Forest Plan, 90-plus interested people attended the sole public meeting held in Seattle, urging the Forest Service to recommend wilderness and implement protections for wildlife, watersheds, and non-motorized recreation for one of our state's largest national forests. Our forests and native wildlife thank you! Jay Kehne Conservation associate, jay@conservationnw.org Keeping the Northwest wild When I think about the past year in north-central Washington and the Okanagan of British Columbia, I see the faces of so many who joined the wildlife movement by getting involved. You have written letters supporting wolf recovery, monitored wildlife, joined Conservation Northwest, and spoken up for wildlife and wild places. At events we hosted in Wenatchee, Kamloops, Omak, Ellensburg, Tonasket, North Bend, Penticton, Twisp, Yakima, Summerland, and Osoyoos, more than 700 people turned out for speakers and films about wolves, connectivity, forestry collaboration, and wildlife underpass projects. Ninety of those people chose to become more involved by becoming a new Conservation Northwest member right at the event. People joining our cause came from The Mule Deer Foundation, Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs of Okanogan-Omak, naturalist clubs in BC, birding organizations, cultural centers, environmental learning groups, and a bunch of local people who just want to stay informed and make a difference in their communities. I watched our members stand up and speak up on wildlife issues pertinent to their communities at wolf hearings and land-use meetings even when they were largely outnumbered by those with opposing viewpoints. But this is what we do: Conservation Northwest provides accurate, science-based information on wildlife and habitat. Then, through a support network, we encourage and enable people to speak up and act on wildlife issues important to them and their communities. Conservation Northwest members are spreading the message that all wildlife are important to healthy ecosystems. And habitat is the key to healthy wildlife populations—such a simple concept that still gets forgotten by politicians and decision makers. My hat's off to all our members and volunteers for what you have done this past year keeping the Northwest wild. Together, we are making a difference! "I especially applaud being informed when it comes down to science versus opinions...Wildlife and wildlands are reaching a critical time and together with Conservation Northwest, I think there is power in numbers to make a stand." –Dina Lund, member, Okanogan Winter 2012 7

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