Learn about the role of the wolf population in the Blue Mountains. Wolves have been endangered across the West for decades because of various factors, including loss of habitat and extermination by livestock owners concerned for the safety of their animals; currently, the whole Pacific Northwest is home to only 250 grey wolves. Since these animals are keystone predators, their absence affects the entire ecosystem. Wildlife biologist Mark Vekasy will discuss both the dangers and benefits of recolonizing wolves to the Blues. This event is open to all ages.
Mark is the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's third District. District 3 covers southeast Washington and the Blue Mountains north of the Oregon border and extends to the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Mark has been working in and around the District for over ten years, first as a biologist with the Hells Canyon Bighorn Sheep Initiative in lower Hells Canyon and currently as a District biologist based in Walla Walla. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s degree in zoology and has been working in wildlife research and management for over 30 years on a variety of game and non-game species.
For more information about this event, please contact Lauren Platman at lauren@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136.
Suitability: All ages welcome.