The Wolverine Foundation has proudly supported the Wolverine-Winter Recreation Project, which looked at the effects of motorized and non-motorized backcountry recreation on wolverines. We’re excited to share the final report with you, the people who helped make this work possible. You can read the report here.
FollowWolverine Foundation Presentation March 31st in Colville, WA
This Friday, March 31st, TWF executive director Rebecca Watters be giving a talk for the Friends of the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge in Colville, Washington. The talk will focus on wolverines and wolverine research in the US – it’s a talk for a scientifically-literate lay audience, complete with some hand-drawn illustrations, and photos and video from cameras in Montana..
The talk will be held at the Colville Community College theater, 986 S. Elm St. Doors open at 6:00 and admission is free. You’ll also have a chance to win wolverine-related door prizes, which is unique in my experience of giving talks. Details are here. If you happen to be in the area, we hope to see you there. Bring your sense of curiosity and some good questions.
Judge Overturns Decision Not to List Wolverines
Today, Judge Dana Christensen overturned the 2014 USFWS decision not to list wolverines, ruling that decision “arbitrary and capricious,” and ordering the USFWS to issue a new decision. The judge’s ruling states that the USFWS failed to adequately consider the effects of both climate change and genetic isolation on the wolverine population in the US Rockies, and that the Service discounted the best available science in reaching the decision not to list.
What does this mean for the status of wolverines in the US? The listing decision has been sent back to the USFWS, and they must issue a new decision. The timeline for this is not yet clear.
The full text of the decision is available here: 16-04-04 Doc. 108 ORDER
For those who are interested in the wolverine policy process and the debate about the science, it’s worth reading through the entire document. Check it out, and enjoy.
Wolverine-Winter Recreation 2015 Report Now Available
The 2015 report for the Wolverine-Winter Recreation Project is now available. The multi-year study is investigating the impact of recreation on wolverine reproduction in several locations in Idaho. 2015 represented the final field season for the project, which will now focus on data analysis. You can read the report here: Idaho Wolverine-Winter Recreation Project 2015 Progress Report Final 30Dec15
