The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today launched a new effort to create and foster a national dialogue around how communities can live with gray wolves (Canus lupus) to include conflict prevention, long-term stability and community security.
To foster the long-term conservation of wolves and address the concerns of varied communities, the Service recognizes a need to bring interested members of the public together for transparent and thoughtful conversations. These discussions will include those who live with wolves and those who do not but want to know they have a place on the landscape.
The Service believes that the conversation is best led by an outside party and not by the Service. Understanding that a fair, inclusive and balanced public engagement requires a neutral and widely trusted convenor to design and guide the process, the Service has contracted with Francine Madden, with Constructive Conflict LLC, to begin a national conversation around gray wolves.
By engaging Ms. Madden and her team, the Service intends to participate as one among equals with citizens, Tribes, states, environmental groups, livestock producers, hunters and other contributors in this national dialogue. Ms. Madden’s team will work with people from all sides to convene and guide the conversation.
This effort will help inform the Service’s policies and future rulemaking about wolves.
More information about gray wolves is available online at: https://www.fws.gov/initiative/protecting-wildlife/gray-wolf-recovery-news-and-updates.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, Flickr and YouTube.
