Government Shutdown? We're Still Howling.

October 1, 2013

The government may have shut down, but they can’t silence wolf supporters. Despite the shutdown, Defenders is going ahead with planned trainings and public events for wolves on Wednesday in Sacramento and Friday in Albuquerque.

Due to the shutdown of the federal government, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has officially postponed its scheduled public hearings on their ill-conceived proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protections for most gray wolf populations. The agency had planned to hold hearings in Sacramento, CA on October 2nd and Albuquerque, NM on October 4th.

However, in anticipation of these hearings being rescheduled, Defenders of Wildlife is still holding training sessions and gathering of wolf supporter we’ve planned in these cities. The October 2nd Sacramento training session and show of support for wolves will begin at 3:30 pm. The location is: Clarion Inn, Comstock Room 1401 Arden Way Sacramento, CA 95815.

The October 4th Albuquerque training session and show of support for wolves will begin at 3:30 pm. The location is: Embassy Suites, Sierra Ballroom 1000 Woodward Place NE Albuquerque, NM 87102.

We must express strong opposition to FWS’s wolf delisting proposal, and Defenders urges citizens to make their voices heard when the Sacramento and Albuquerque hearings are rescheduled. This week’s gatherings and trainings will be our only opportunity for in-person meeting before the hearings take place. At the events, we will:

Make sure you are prepared for the public hearing when it is rescheduled
Strategize for future actions
Enable citizens meet other wolf supporters
Write official comments to FWS, and
Show FWS that even with a government shutdown, they can’t ignore our voice!

Defenders of Wildlife encourages wolf supporters to attend this week’s events if at all possible. We will let you know when the Fish and Wildlife Service reschedules the hearings. Thank you for your continued support for wolves and hope we see you this week in Sacramento or Albuquerque!