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Review from Guidestar INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER
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April 22, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
If a friend asks "Were you raised by wolves?" it's time to check your table manners. Do you snarl at your siblings when they try to share your food? Have you ever scratched your ear with your foot? And we won't even ask how you mark your territory. But we will invite you to come meet your "relatives" in the Ambassador Pack at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN. Bring your friend. You can both learn how real wolves act and what we humans can do to help the extended family survive when wolf habitat is shrinking and some human folks now live next door to your old pack. I'm a volunteer at the Center and never tire of watching our resident wolves teach visitors about the real wolf. No offense.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
At my summer resort, I watch visitors to Ely come back from the Center excited about what they have learned. They look forward to hearing a wolf howl nearby, instead of fearing it. The Center staff knows how to teach about wolves in a way that opens up visitors' thinking about wildlands, wolf management, predator-prey relationships and survival of endangered species.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Ask everyone to contribute to the International Wolf Center.
April 21, 2011
I work at Vermilion Community College as a Natural Resource Instructor but I also serve as the Wolf Curator for the International Wolf Center. I started working in the NR profession in 1978 and as the Wolf Curator for the Center in 1989. I've seen a lot of growth and strength from this organization in the past 25 years. The Center focuses efforts on serving visitors in a wide-variety of ways including on-site, web-based, print media, distance learning, seminars, learning vacations, retail operations, shared curriculum... the list goes on and on...
Many a student has started their professional wildlife career by observing the ambassador wolves, taking a ethology course, spending a day at the Center or engaging in behavioral studies via the Center's Youtube channel and wolf logs. Engaging people to learn facts and form opinions, the root of all educational endeavors.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My day to day life working with the ambassador wolves.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Figure out a better way to connect members to members and have more peer discussions.
April 21, 2011
When global news of wolves appear, it is the International Wolf Center, that leads the charge for science-based information that is critical to the survival of this species. That was the reason I joined the board 25 years ago. A quarter of a century later, the Center has stayed in touch with the world with one of the best websites, high tech long-distance learning, a first-class magazine and conferences. Yes, I am partial to this organization, but even more, I am partial to wilderness and the habitat needed for all of us to survive.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Learning how to observe wolves in the wild, watching interaction of other species and having wolves be the key to visiting remote parts of the world.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Work harder to get get more members and funding.
April 20, 2011
My first visit to the International Wolf Center was 23 years ago. We were in Ely on a family vacation and went to see the new deal in town. I remember my children being mesmerized by the wolves and when we joined in the howling and the wolves howled back we were hooked. To this day a trip to Ely is not complete without stopping by to visit the center. I joined the Board 6 years ago. I've learned so much and really appreciate the high quality of wolf education offered by the center. The staff is top rate! And their programs reach far beyond the walls at Ely.
They truly live their mission of educating the world about wolves.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the integrity of the informed responses to the delisting of the wolf and the ongoing efforts to help humans understand that we are all members of the circle of life so we need to learn how to live together.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help to make it easier for them to fulfill their mission with a great big donation base.
April 20, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I am Neil Hutt (short for Cornelia), and I have been a board member for 12 years. I am the chair of the board Education Committee, and I serve on the advisory work team of International Wolf, the Center's quarterly magazine. The Center and I go back over a long road. I discovered its existence just after it became a reality over 25 years ago. I was teaching secondary language arts with an academic team (math, social studies, science and language arts), and the wolf became the cornerstone of our team's curriculum. The Center was one of our primary sources of information. Much has changed in terms of technology since the organization's beginnings, but the mission of the Center still drives the work it does - teaching the world about wolves. This organization sets the standard for accurate and current facts and information, and in a world where reliable sources seem to becoming more scare, it's important to know the International Wolf Center is there to provide answers and to guide our thinking.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My classroom(s), my experiences with another organization that partners with the Center, and in my experiences as a trip coordinator to wild places to view wolves.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
beef up the bottom line by donating a million dollars.
April 20, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I first visited the International Wolf Center to see a program called, What's For Dinner, where the ambassador wolves are fed their weekly meal. Wow--it was informative and interesting to watch the wolves eat right outside the big glass windows! After the program, I was hooked. I enjoyed my experience so much that I applied for a teaching internship with the organization and now work in their education department. It is an honor to bring family and friends to visit the Center and the town of Ely. If you haven't been to see the wolves, exhibits, programs or visit the store, I highly recommend it to people of all ages!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
programs when I get to see the look on a guests' face as they observe the wolves and say, "Wow! They are so much bigger than I thought they were!"
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find a way to get more people to visit the Center!
April 20, 2011
Hello, my name is Deb and my involvement with the International Wolf Center has crossed through several roles. I began as a "general member of the public" by visiting the Center in Ely, MN. I then found out about the many engaging and educational programs that were offered, which of course led to enrollment! :) My enjoyment of all that I learned and experienced by participating in the programs fueled a desire to become even more involved, so I became a donor and volunteer. The Center's fact based, unbiased approach to forward the mission of "advancing the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands and the human role in their future" is something I fully support. I am currently showing this support by acting as a member of the board.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
how much I have learned as a result of its quality staff members, educational programs, and literature.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help find ways to reach an even broader audience.
April 19, 2011
I recently joined the board for the International Wolf Center. What excited me about becoming more involved was the focus on education. This is an organization which believes in providing facts so people can make up their own mind on issues related to wolves, in wild lands, and the human relationship. The best people are on staff offering fact based programs in order to fulfill the goal of educating the public. Combine this with the biggest names in wolf biology supporting the organization and you end up with something outstanding.
The best vacation I have ever had was the Arctic tundra learning vacation through the International Wolf Center. Spending time with the representatives of the organization during this trip really illustrated the focus on answering questions honestly. If you have a question about wolves they will not judge you and will simply tell you the facts. How many organizations do that these days?
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I gained a new respect for wolves, but I also found an organization which shares my value on educating the public and allowing others to make up their own mind on a subject.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
If I had to make one change it would be to expand on the educational information online. I would like to help them expand on this so more people understand the focus of the International wolf Center.
April 19, 2011
I am the founder, a board member, vice chair, donor and professional with expertise in the field, and although one might think I am a bit biased, you would be right. However, I do think that if you compare the IWC with other wolf advocacy organizations you will find that our science-based approach to provide objective information, rather than propaganda, about wolves will in the long run better help wolf populations survive in more areas.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the many educational articles in IWC's magazine, International Wolf, and entries on its website. The "Tracking the Pack" page allows students all over the world to share my research by plotting wolf movements in the Superior National Forest, and I have heard from many how interesting this page is.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Add more staff to bettter reach more of the public.
April 19, 2011
My family and I visited the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN and it was an amazing experience. Seeing the "ambassador" wolves was a life-changing experience for my children and for me.
The staff was knowledgeable and helpful and the facility was amazing. I can't wait to go back and take part in the many programs they offer for adults and children.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The International Wolf Center offered all the experiences I was looking for in my visit. I would love to have my children experience more of their education programs and I would love to participate in the Learning Vacation opportunities for adults.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change a thing.
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