GOALS, PROTOCOL, AND CONSENSUS, OH MY

The five-hour drive to Cable went off without a hitch.  I loaded up the car with all the supplies that I would need for filming.  The farther north I got, the more I noticed conifer-dominated forests.  The cultural clues also became more apparent.  At one gas station, assorted taxidermied animals covered the entire store.  Displayed above the Slurpee station was the complete body of a stuffed adult wolf.  Seeing this, I became increasingly aware of my outsider status.

Keeping Up with the Howl Survey

I’ve completed two weeks of my placement with the Timber Wolf Alliance.  So far, my time has included meetings, training, tasks, and introductions. The lion’s share of my duties so far have involved writing, whether it’s a document, an email, or an outline.  Next week, I’ve planned a visit to Ashland, the location of my host organization.   I eagerly anticipate getting to know the Timber Wolf Alliance better by seeing these spaces and faces firsthand.  To supplement my knowledge of the howling survey, I’ve been reading highly cited peer-reviewed publications that pertain to the subject.  Presently, I’ve been more focused on the implementation and preparation for recording the training video.  To improve my ability to oversee the production of the training video, I have spent time reviewing the latest tips and tricks associated with the use of filming equipment.  I conducted interviews to pinpoint the issues or concerns of the training video’s intended audience. After writing my preliminary training video outline, I’ve begun testing my equipment.  It is interesting how many analytical and creative stylistic choices come up before filming even begins.  I predict that the same will apply during production and post-production. So far, I’ve navigated this configuration of options with an appropriate amount of prudence and scrupulousness.

How to build a consensus when wolves are involved?

Hello and howdy, reader.  I’m Leigh, and I’ll be checking in throughout the summer on my Master’s project placement experience.  I’ve been interested in wolves for several years. However, my interest really kicked into high gear when I worked as a Naturalist at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana. One highlight from that experience was meeting Doug Smith, the Senior Wildlife Biologist and the Yellowstone Wolf Project Leader. Since the beginning of my EC coursework, I have intended to explore the intersection between conservation and wildlife.  I’m passionate about supporting Wisconsin’s population of wolves.