Protecting our wildlife is no new thing in the United States. In fact we have some of the highest rates of conservation in the world! But our history of conservation is anything but perfect. In 1872, our first national parks were founded, and in some weird twist of logic, the US decided to eradicate predatory species from these naturescapes, in 1884. The very first predator removed were wolves, coyotes, bears and cougars, and rewards were handed out like candy for the proof of having killed one of these beautiful creatures. By 1927, almost all the wolves in the Northern US were gone- a place that they had been wandering for well over a million years. In less than a decade biologists were seeing the imbalance in nearly every aspect of the ecosystem, since the wolves were removed. Without natural predators around, grazing animals began to reproduce without worry. They would, quite literally, forage a forest bare, which in turn would cause massive amounts of erosion since there was little vegetation to hold the land together. We, the smartest species on Earth, essentially destroyed our own backyards, and were headed for disaster. You would think that with all the environmental scientists screaming for change that it would have occurred a lot sooner, but believe it or not, it took another fifty years before the US even considered putting wolves on the endangered species list, and another twenty after that to reintroduce them to their natural home of Yellowstone.

Enter present day, here we are; Colorado’s Proposition 114 that hit the ballots of Coloradans’ in November of 2020. This proposition was put forward to follow in the footsteps of Yellowstone, working with the same teams of experts that oversaw the reintroduction to wolves in Montana and Wisconsin, to oversee the introduction of wolves back into the Rocky Mountains. Biologists, politicians, volunteers, and the communities rallied for the cause, setting out on foot, making calls, and holding conferences to address the public on the necessity of reintroducing the wolves. Their stance? Wolves are a vital piece of our ecosystem! Wolves stabilize an ecosystem, and allow nature to remain wild! By no small stretch of effort by the hands of thousands of advocators, did this proposition, amazingly, get approved, making it the first environmental act to be instituted by the people rather than the government- a truly historic moment, and win, for the wolves and people of Colorado. That being said, however, the battle is far from over! Colorado was polarized in its views of reintroduction, splitting right down the middle on the matter. This proposition passed with as narrow a margin as 50.91%. So what does this actually mean for the wolves? 

Well it starts with a plan, a community, and a love of nature! The plan? Improve the public’s understanding of wolves, their behaviors, ecology and how we can reintroduce them. How is this going to happen? By involving the community, of course. Through collaboration, and science, with a team of volunteers, a program called The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project (RMWF), several rescues, a handful of experts, a passionate governor, and a nature loving community, anything is possible! The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project supports Governor Polis’ plan to effectively reintroduce wolves by 2022, but they are not without their advoceries. A fringe of special interests groups, against wolves, have convinced decision makers to prolong the plan beyond the time suggested in the passed proposition of 2023.  The RMWF pushed back this last month, writing a letter to the commissioners expressing the importance of Polis’ suggested timeline, as well as the request for stakeholders and advisory groups to be inclusive of all perspectives–including those who prioritize the best interests for wolf restoration.  While it may seem that the concerns of special interests groups are not being addressed, the proposition and suggested plan has numerous measures protecting diverse perspectives on the issue including compensation for livestock owners, updating the plan periodically with public input, and planning the location based on the lack of recreational activities centered around Western Colorado.  Coloradans have spoken and voted on the issue, and it’s time for these politicians to be held accountable for implementing these plans! 

What is left to do now is be heard. Science clearly says that wolves are crucial pieces of the puzzle that is our wildlife in the Rockies. The people voted and spoke for the reintroduction, and it is our duty to hold Politicians to the plan. With a little elbow grease, a few well placed information booths, and a whole lot of motivation, we can see the change we are striving for!