Of Wolves, Wilderness and Warm Winter Wishes
Wildcanada.net Action Alert - 147
Thursday, December 25, 2003

"…from somewhere below came a sound that made our hearts stand still. Like a breath of wind, rising slowly, softly, clearly to a high, lovely note of sadness and longing; dying down on two distinct notes so low that our human ears could scarcely catch them. It rose and died, again and again. A wolf singing the beauty of the night, singing it as no human voice had ever done…"

Theodrac C. Stanwell-Fletcher, Driftwood Valley

It is a time for quiet in Wildcanada.net's home town of Canmore, Alberta, as we pause in our busy lives to visit with family and friends, rest, and enjoy some basic wonders of life - good people, good food, laughter, warmth, and the natural world around us. Whether you celebrate the winter solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah or simply take this dark time of the year to quietly reflect on our passage through the seasons, the staff and Board of Wildcanada.net wishes you all the very best.

We're thinking of you, and of our roll in helping you protect Canada's wild things. No other animal we can imagine stirs our hearts more at this time of year than the wolf. In the mountains that surround Canmore, wolves plod through deep snow in search of food, traveling ancient pathways into the wilderness. When we think of wilderness we think of the wolf, as the wolf truly is a symbol of wilderness. It can only live if there are wild places.

Late in 2003 Wildcanada.net, working with 6 other conservation groups from across Canada, launched CanadianWolves.net in an effort to elevate the debate over the future of the wolf, and its place in the Canadian wilderness. Today, we are asking you to support our efforts to protect Canada's wolves by becoming a member of the Wild Canadian Future Project. By becoming a monthly donor to Wildcanada.net, you will make it possible for us to continue our efforts to protect Canada's wolves, and the wild landscapes they need to survive.

Visit http://www.wildcanada.net/donate to join the Wild Canadian Future Project.

What You Can Do:
You can support the Canadian Wolves Program in 2004 by joining the Wild Canadian Future Project and becoming a monthly donor to Wildcanada.net.

The wolf has been a figure in legend and ceremony for thousands of years. Prior to modern man, wolves were the most widely distributed mammals in the world. They followed their prey into almost every available habitat: arctic tundra, high plains, lowland savannas, and all types of forests.

The wolf is an incredible creature and has challenged our human cultures in many ways. The wolf has long been shrouded in dueling perceptions of good and evil. Many indigenous peoples have revered and emulated wolves. They value the ways in which wolves make their packs, their families and communities strong. They admire their intelligence and fortitude. But in other cultures, wolf eradication has been widespread. Wolves were seen as cunning and bloodthirsty pests. With the perpetuation of superstitions and fears of wolves we have witnessed one of the most devastating extermination programs ever devised against a single species.

Thankfully, however, the days of the 'big bad wolf' are nearing an end as people recognize the importance and magnificence of this misunderstood species. As more is understood about the environmental requirements of wolves and their important role in ecosystems, more efforts will hopefully be made to live with them.

And as we come to understand wolves, we can come to understand ourselves.

Wolves are intelligent and strong. They are adaptable and have amazing stamina. They educate their young. The wolf will care for her pack, her community, providing food for all, even the sick and old...

There is a lot to learn from the wolf, as she teaches us about our own lives and the choices we make about how to live. Wolves teach us about wilderness and its importance.

During this time of celebration, rest and reflection, please take a moment to celebrate the wolf and wilderness by making a donation to Wildcanada.net so that we can continue to advocate for their protection across Canada. You can make a one time on-line donation at http://www.wildcanada.net/donate, or become a monthly donor by joining the Wild Canadian Future Project there. If you are more comfortable with mailing your donation, you can send a cheque to Wildcanada.net, Box 8145, Canmore, Alberta, Canada T1W 2T9.

We at Wildcanada.net are settling in for the festive season. But we're thinking of the wolves and other wild things that roam the mountain valleys around our home, and we're hoping that you might be thinking of the wild things and wild places that mean so much to you too.

Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays to you all,

Stephen Legault
Executive Director
Wildcanada.net

p.s. Please Remember: Wildanada.net is a federally registered not-for-profit. We're not a charity, and can't offer you a tax receipt for your gift. However, we can assure you that your donation will be used wisely in the effort to protect Canada's wild future.

This Action Alert is provided as a service of Wildcanada.net