As the Wolf & Carnivore Conference draws near, we would ask those who are registered to express which theme interests them and what they would like to hear and learn from the speakers and participants. This will help us tailor the agenda to suit the needs of most, if not all.

Our keynote speakers and presenters have a tremendous knowledge and experience in wolf issues from around the world. As everyone knows, wolves and controversy seem to go together in most jurisdictions where cities, people, ranchers and farmers are found. Yet, this makes northern Manitoba unique. Wolf controversy has never been much of an issue in this boreal forest wilderness region of some 82,000 people in an area the size of France. What can the province of Manitoba learn from other areas, and can Manitoba establish sustainable wolf management policies and programs that become an example to the world?

One theme will cover WOLF MANAGEMENT topics. What works and hasn’t worked elsewhere? Can consensus be achieved with conflicting interests? How should government determine the right policies? Can the Aboriginal peoples, who have lived with wolves for thousands of years, provide their traditional knowledge as a guideline? What are the key socio-political factors in determining wolf management policies to build trust in various interest groups? We expect some healthy discussion on this topic.

What WOLF RESEARCH should be undertaken in northern Manitoba that would be a priority before proposed all-weather roads, hydro dams, electrical transmission lines, and more mining projects are developed? What are the best research opportunities for researchers and graduate student projects? Some results will be presented on some of the first wolf research ever undertaken in northern Manitoba. The findings will be of interest to all participants. What other current wolf research is underway in North America? We hope to have some reports by others.

We will have several presentations on POLAR BEARS in Churchill and Russia by a researcher and wildlife manager. How do these species interact with wolves? What research is needed to ensure the protection of polar bears in a world of global warming and climate change? A proposed wolves and polar bear research project has been identified along the coast of Hudson Bay. Finding a scientific leader and research students is necessary for this project to be launched. It could become a project of high media interest due to the iconic species involved and the impact of climate change.

Currently the Province of Manitoba is building a state-of-the-art new campus for University College of the North in Thompson. Surrounded by wilderness, UCN aims to become an international WOLF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE. What does that mean? What programs, facilities, researchers, instructors and partnerships would UCN need to lead the way in wolf science and research? How can this institute attract researchers, students, and even eco-tourists learn about more about the wolves in the unstudied region of northern Manitoba?

If you have questions about anything above, please contact us at [email protected].

If you are a student with a research project, poster or paper, please contact Kathryn McNaughton of UCN at [email protected].

Your participation will be able to influence future wolf studies, policies and issues in this part of the world. We look forward to your attendance in this exciting function!