Spring 2009 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
I am encouraged - at the service in the cathedral following the inauguration, the woman minister began her sermon with a wolf story! With the rapt attention of the Obama family and the political power there gathered, she told of the Cherokee Indian grandfather who advised his grandson that the two wolves reside in us all. One is greedy, mean and dishonest. The other, generous, kind and truthful. "Who will win?," asked the child. To which Grandfather replied, "The one you feed." As I watched our history-making new president smile and nod in understanding, I felt the shift in leadership pattern. Who better to be our guide than the wisdom of wild.
The newly appointed Secretary of Interior is Ken Salazar, a Democrat US Senator from Colorado. He is formerly and environmental and water attorney, and was director of the Colorado Dept. of Natural Resources. With roots that go back to the 16th century, Salazar is 5th generation rancher in southern Colorado's San Luis valley - just south of the Mission:Wolf refuge. (You will find a detailed history of the elimination of wolves in this region in "Predator Bureaucracy" by Michael Robinson.) As the wheel of time keeps turning, Salazar actually met our wolf ambassadors some time ago at a Colorado Livestock Convention.
The League of Conservation Voters gives Salazar a 100% on his 2008 voting record on environmental issues before Congress. This was an improvement over his 2007 score of 73%. To get a copy of the LCV National Environmental Scorecard, 1920 L St. NW, Suite 800, Washington DC 20036; or http://www.lcv.org/scorecard. Here you will find short summaries of environmental laws and acts and how each congressperson voted. Salazar is against drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He needs to be encouraged to see the wisdom in keeping endangered status for wolves. The short sight of consumerism cannot be given priority over the health of future generations. A strong Endangered Species Act is crucial for maintaining respect for the far-reaching effects of natural law.
"NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE", a bill introduced by John Sarbanes (D-MD) was passed by the House of Representatives in September. Kids are spending half the time outdoors as was done 20 years ago, and an average of 61/2 hours a day plugged into electronic devices. The power consuming distractions add to global warming as well as physical decline. No Child Left Inside would provide funding for hands-on and outdoor, environmental education activities. Write, call or e-mail your senators, telling them to pass "No Child Left Inside!" Meanwhile, get your Earth Day celebration plans shovel-ready, and make use of some of those funds!
Schedules are taking shape for 2009 Wolf Teacher/DVD program or outreach wolf table, and for Mission:Wolf, Colorado. 21st Annual NE October Tour. Call to make a date!
LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING .. As spring approaches, I'm reminded of the little kindergarten girl who, during the wolf program, raised her hand and asked, "What color eggs to wolfs lay?"
Help us harness some of this spring energy into more education opportunities with your donation. To those who responded to our last newsletter, we are bloomin' grateful! Your input makes it happen! Make checks out to "Wolf Teacher/Pam Brown", (or for tax-deductable purposes, to APNM - Animal Protection of NM), and mail to 166 Wittenberg Rd., Bearsville, NY 12409 - PLEASE HELP !$!
For Wild,
Pam Brown
