UPCOMING CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS PROVINCE’S POTENTIAL AS WOLF CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
MANITOBA IS HOME TO ONE OF THE LARGEST CONCENTRATIONS OF WOLVES on the planet. Wolves roam from the parkland region to boreal forest, taiga, and coastal region of Hudson Bay. However, Manitoba’s wolf population remains relatively unknown.
A new International Wolf and Carnivore Conference in Thompson, October 23-24, 2012 looks to provide answers. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the newest wolf research, wolf management issues, and ecotourism opportunities from some of the top wolf experts in the world including Dr. Dave Mech, University of Minnesota, Prof. Marco Musiani, University of Calgary, and Dr. Nikita Ovsyanikov of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
In addition to organizing the upcoming conference, Spirit Way Inc., Thompson Unlimited, and University College of the North (UCN) in Thompson, in partnership with Travel Manitoba, Frontiers North, and The Wildlife Society have met with several government ministers to release a Wolf Economy Discussion Paper.
Wolves hold promise as an “ecological and economic asset” for Manitoba and have the potential to join the polar bear and bison as an iconic species for Manitoba.
A Wolf Development Strategic Plan will be developed with the objectives to promote Thompson as the Wolf Capital of Canada, UCN as a Wolf Centre of Excellence at the new campus under construction in Thompson, and Manitoba as a world leader in wolf management.
These effort join initiatives already underway from Spirit Way, including:
• Wolves Without Borders, a collaborative youth project with three elementary schools in Canada, USA and Mexico
• A proposed wolf research project with an European scientific organization in 2013
• A GPS Wolf Hunt to track down 49 wolf statues across Manitoba
• A new captive wolf enclosure in Thompson as Phase 1 of the proposed Boreal Discovery Centre
• Public wolf sightings/photos/videos as listed on www.thompsonspiritway.ca
• Working with entrepreneurs to offer wolf seminars and learning vacations to visitors
• Spirit Way Inc. has also produced public wolf art in Thompson with an 86 ft. high wolf mural from Robert Bateman, painted wolf statues, and a large howling wolves rockface sculpture
Such wolf initiatives will become part of a Strategic Plan to build a wolf economy for Manitoba by 2015, which also marks the arrival of the Wildlife Society’s international conference to Winnipeg. Around 1,500 wildlife professionals and students will visit the city Oct. 17-22, 2015 for the conference.
For Wolf & Carnivore Conference, Oct.23-24, 2012 see details at:
www.thompsonspiritway.ca; or email wolfconf@yahoo.com
Ph. 1 866 WOLF FUN (965 3386)
For Spirit Way Inc. information:
President Marion Morberg at info@thompsonspiritway.ca
For copy of Wolf Economy Discussion Paper, contact:
Volker Beckmann,
Project Coordinator, Spirit Way Inc.
Ph. (204) 778 7434;
vbeckmann@mts.net
www.thompsonspiritway.ca
Thank you,
Claudine Gervais
Communications Coordinator
Travel Manitoba
700-155 Carlton St. Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 3H8
PH: 1.204.927.7867
cgervais@travelmanitoba.com