When thousands of people continue to show up, lend their voices, ask difficult questions, create meaningful conversations, and refuse to give up on wildlife, a fairy gets its wings. Just kidding. Although there are no fairies involved, it’s still pretty magical. What really happens is forward momentum. Whether that means change for the better or maintaining the current positive path, it’s amazing what we can do when we work together.
Right now, there are encouraging signs that our collective voices are being heard. Alberta's government has reaffirmed that grizzly bear recovery remains a priority and a population count is in progress, offering hope that persistent, respectful advocacy can influence the future of wildlife management. While there's still work ahead, it's worth taking a moment to recognize that progress is being built one letter, one conversation, and one act of stewardship at a time.
If you’re looking for some forward momentum of your own after reading Trends of the Trapping Industry, might we suggest participating in our creative campaign for grizzly bears? Engaging in creative expression helps lower your stress levels and physically releases tension as the physical act of splashing paint, tearing paper, or pressing into clay mirrors the body’s natural fight-or-flight response. You’ll be safely discharging adrenaline whilst supporting a good cause. It’s a win-win!
Speaking of win-wins, please consider buying a ticket for our summer 50/50 raffle to support EWC’s community trail camera project and be in with the chance to take home 50% of the proceeds. The more people enter, the bigger the impact and the bigger the jackpot.
As always, thank you for being part of this community, for your support, and for sharing your voice.
The Exposed Wildlife Conservancy Team
We’re excited to invite people in Alberta* to join our Win Big for the Wild 50/50 raffle in support of our Community Trail Camera Project with the goal of purchasing ten new solar-powered trail cameras for use in communities across central Alberta. One lucky winner will take home 50% of the net proceeds, but tickets are limited so don’t hang about! Sales end and the winner is drawn on August 31st; full details are available via our Rafflebox page.
* Based on your IP address
Repeat action and strong messages from the community are making an impact. Along with his letter to EWC, the Grizzly Bear Foundation and Alberta Wilderness Association informing us that recovery, stabilization, and long-term population viability remain priorities for the province, Minister Loewen has released statements to the press. The Minister of Environment and Protected Areas has also recently announced that a grizzly bear population count is taking place in Alberta.
Now is the time to speak up and send your letters showing support for the maintained closure of the grizzly bear hunting season, non-lethal conflict management and urging the government to recognize the intrinsic economic and ecosystem value of living grizzly bears.
The third and final letter in this series encourages the province to recognize the sustained and significant value of living grizzly bears. Please sign your name to all three letters and share with your community.
Alberta’s grizzly bears still need your voice. Let’s amplify these messages of stewardship while coverage is fresh and non-lethal wildlife management is in the spotlight.
If you’ve signed all three letters, keep scrolling for some creative ways to get involved in this campaign.
As we move forward and continue to tackle the huge systemic challenges faced by apex predators, the support of our community is what makes everything possible. As our donors and supporters, we’d love to hear your perspective on the work we do.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of EWC, so it’s the perfect time to reflect and assess our impact over the past decade. Each year we revisit EWC’s strategic plans to ensure our output is as effective and efficient as possible, and so we’re inviting this community to share your thoughts. The feedback we receive will help to inform our strategy and projects for the coming year. We always tell you that your voice matters, and we really do mean it.
We’re inviting kids of all ages (1-100) to get involved in our grizzly bear campaign this summer.
Whether you’re an artist, storyteller, builder, doodler, poet, photographer, or someone who simply loves wildlife, this is your chance to raise your voice for grizzly bears through creativity. It’s easy to take part; simply create something that shows why grizzly bears matter to you.
It doesn’t matter if your skill level maxes out at stick people or scribbles; your contribution makes a difference.
Once you have your creation, it’s time to share it! This fall, EWC will compile and publicly share a collection of grizzly bear-inspired creations with Alberta Ministers as a visual message of support for protecting grizzly bears and the landscapes they depend on.
Check out our blog post for details and ideas to really bring this campaign to life.
Next month marks the end of our two-year community trail camera project in the Municipal District of Bighorn, Alberta. As soon as the footage is reviewed, our team compiles a report providing communities with valuable insights and practical tools to support informed decisions, reduce conflict, and strengthen coexistence with their wild neighbours.
If you’d like to support the purchase of trail cameras, we invite you to enter our Win Big for the Wild 50/50 raffle
From curious cougars to three-legged black bears, please enjoy some teasers from the trails…
In this doozy of a read, we uncover the complicated and insidious history of modern-day (1970-2020) trapping in Canada. The information is hard to swallow, but when you’re working toward reform, it’s critical to understand the full picture, even if it’s not pretty.
This article forms part of EWC’s research and reporting project on the commercial trapping industry. Each month, we continue to push for government accountability and trapping standards that reflect modern wildlife science. Take action now and sign the petition urging the government of BC to support trapping reform.
This week’s recommendation is courtesy of Doug Wells. Thanks for sharing, Doug!
“The Alpha Female Wolf - The Fierce Legacy of Yellowstone’s 06 by Rick McIntyre tells the story of several wolf packs in Yellowstone, their inner workings, interactions and the interconnectedness between them. These relationships are very complex and compelling.
In particular, it focuses on two sisters from the same pack. Two very different wolves who become alpha females in packs of their own; it’s apparent they have different governing styles. One is a tyrant ruling with an iron fist. The other, 06, a leader by different means. Fierce and tough when she needs to be, she also has a compassionate side. A wise teacher wanting to share her knowledge, 06 clearly wants her pack to thrive.
There are two brothers in 06’s pack, both physically capable of challenging her but they don’t. I believe they intuitively knew the benefit of her presence. Those two brothers eventually go on to bigger things, well prepared as leaders because they had an excellent teacher.
Beautifully written, this book flows like a story, not a textbook. Rick McIntyre’s admiration and respect for these amazing animals radiates throughout. Very inspiring, touching at times. Well done!”
P.s. We can’t encourage this enough; shop local and support your community!
