Help the Wolf

It's all well and good to surround yourself with images of the wolf (whether it be statues, posters, plates or paintings) and wear wolf T-shirts at every opportunity. As a matter of fact, my friends and family know that, when all else fails, they can always give me a wolf shirt to add to my enormous collection. However, none of that really helps our brother all that much. (True, some proceeds from certain purchases may go toward Wolf programs.) What can and will help the wolf is for you to GET INVOLVED!

The first step is to be informed and the web is a great place to start. There are numerous resources available that will help you stay abreast of Wolf related news. Visit the sites on the LINKS page and bookmark the ones that offer updates on Wolf projects. Visit these sites often and keep up on the issues.

The next step is to get actively involved. Join one (or several!) organizations that are working to save our brother. It doesn't matter how much money you have to give, but join at least one organization. Most organizations have a very affordable entry level for giving, often less than $25.00 for a one-year membership. If you are a student or senior citizen, the rate may be even lower. Those of you who have a considerable sum of money to donate may choose to join several organizations or to give all of your money to one group. Either way is helpful; do what you feel is best.

Being an active member of an organization helps their efforts in several ways. Obviously, even a small amount of money will help with their day to day operations. Perhaps more important though, is the fact that the more members an organization has, the easier it is to gain grant money and the more effective their lobbying efforts will be. I say this from experience; I have spent much of my time helping environmental organizations raise money and lobbying at all levels of government.

There are many types of organizations and only you can decide which will be best for you. There are many that have "adoption" programs, whereby you can adopt a wolf and follow it throughout its life. Some are involved with captive wolves (for research and breeding) while others work with wolf packs in the wild. Still others are involved in lobbying, legal protection, education and information exchange. Take the time to research as many as possible and then join those that appeal most to you.

For those of you that are concerned that your money may not be well spent I offer this advice. ASK QUESTIONS! Organizations that spend their money wisely are never afraid of this kind of investigation. Ask for a copy of their budget. Find out how much of their money is spent on programs and how much is spent on membership acquisition and fund raising, administration and salaries, etc. This information can help you decide which organization is best for you.

I hesitate to offer specific recommendations; my choices are based on my own personal feelings (and those of my wife). I urge you to take the time to do your own investigation. If you must seek other opinions, ask friends that are already involved. Find out what their experiences have been; read the literature they have received. I'm not concerned about which organization you join - but I do want you to join at least one.

Once you have taken steps to stay informed and become actively involved, I urge you to take your involvement to the next level. When you discover a problem, do something about it. Write letters to the appropriate people. Let your representatives know how you feel. Write letters to local media and ask your friends to do the same. Remember, the more people that speak up, the louder the cry will be.

My final suggestion may well prove to be the most significant way that a person can help: volunteer your time. If their is an organization near you, I'm willing to bet that they could really use a few hours of your time. There are countless activities you can help with, from assisting in projects directly related to the wolves to helping with the administrative chores. Even if there is no group near you, many organizations would welcome your help. You may be able to assist with organizing a grass-root letter campaign or other activities. Contact the appropriate officers and tell them you'd like to be involved. I'll be very surprised if they turn your offer down.

I hope that I have encouraged you to become more active in helping our brother, the Wolf. He certainly needs all the help we can give him. If you would like to share any suggestions you may have, please feel free to e-mail me. If I post your suggestion here, I would be happy to credit you with the idea. Remember, knowledge is power, and you now know that the Wolf needs your help. Wisdom, however, is using your knowledge in an effective, positive manner. I urge you to demonstrate your wisdom: ACT NOW!

This page is dedicated to the members of the many
excellent organizations working to save our brother, the Wolf.

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