Teaching about wolves to both urban and rural students

Steve Wadlow, The Central Rockies Wolf Project and Wolf Awareness Inc., 910 15th Street, Canmore, AB T1W 1X3, Canada

Wolves are a natural entry point when addressing conservation issues as well as conflict between humans and wildlife. Over the past three years, the Central Rockies Wolf Project has delivered presentations to over 10,000 students and has created two teaching units for over 3,000 students. We have a winning combination.

Rarely do we find neutral opinions toward the wolf. Rural audiences tend to dislike the wolf; urban audiences are typically supportive of wolves. Therefore, different approaches must be taken when addressing these two audiences. When we work with young people, it is important to consider their perspective and develop curriculum accordingly.

It is important to educate both urban and rural students about wolves. It is the urban population that largely affects wolves in the central Rockies of Canada through recreational activities such as golf and skiing. In the rural communities, wolves are affected through the conflict with cattle. Therefore, the unique ways in which wolves are affected must be addressed for each community.

In Calgary, we have created a program called the Wolves and Wild Places Project to focus on how urban communities affect wolf habitat through their recreational activities. We have also created a unit for rural Alberta called the Wolves and Wilderness Education Project. The focus on this unit is to address the question if wolves and ranchers can co-exist with having their basic needs met. Both projects address the concept of conflict resolution. We recognize that long-term conservation will occur only if opposing sides can resolve conflict in an amicable manner.

When working with young people, it is not enough to just merely present the information. It is critical that a large 'fun factor' be incorporated into any presentation or teaching unit. In this way, students will have a positive experience in learning about wolves and wildlife. Students can walk away thinking "Wow that was fun!"

We can also use this fascination for the wolf to teach young people about the necessity to conserve our natural environment. The gray wolf is an excellent entry point when introducing larger conservation issues to students. In the Rocky Mountains, we have recorded 32 different species that depend in varying degrees on food from animals killed by wolves. Therefore, if an "umbrella" species such as the wolf is conserved, many other species will also be conserved. With the combined fascination for wolves by the general public and the essential ecological niche it holds, many issues can be addressed in an interesting and informative manner.