March 2006

TOPIC:  Conversations with a Wolf Biologist

SPEAKER: Richard Thiel 

WHEN:  Tuesday, March 21

TIME:  7:00 pm Refreshments
TIME:  7:30 pm Program

WHERE:  NEW LOCATION: Room 184, Russell Laboratories, 1630 Linden Drive, Across from Babcock Hall, UW-Madison

PARKING:  Lot 36 on Observatory Drive, west of Steenbock Library

Map:  Map of Russel Labs and Lot 36

Note: watch for detour signs or see the construction map

PRE-MEETING DINNER:  You are invited to join Madison Audubon board members and friends at the pre-program dinner with our speaker at Paisan's Restaurant beginning at 5:15.

QUESTIONS?:  Please call the MAS office at (608)255-2473.

Wolves disappeared from Wisconsin about 1959 and did not return until the mid 1970s. Dick Thiel was one of the first to look for them as they moved back into the state. Would they have come anyway, or did they return to find out who was responsible for that lonely howl echoing across the northland?

Dick set himself the task of monitoring wolves as they started moving back into Wisconsin from Minnesota. He spent countless hours driving around, stopping to mimic a wolf call, hoping to hear a reply. Finally, he started to hear them. His volunteer work resulted in a contract position with the Department of Natural Resources studying and monitoring the increasing wolf population. He also helped found the Timber Wolf Information Network (TWIN) to help educate school children about wolves.

The recolonization of Wisconsin by wolves is one of the great environmental success stories of recent decades. Join us to learn more about wolves and the problems and successes that occurred along the way. Hear about the future of wolves in our state.

Dick Thiel is a native of southeastern Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a B.S. degree in Natural Resources Management and Biology in 1975. He taught environmental education in the Little Rock (Arkansas) School District in 1976-77. From 1980 to 1989 Thiel was project leader of the state's timber wolf recovery project. In 1989 he became coordinator of the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center. The Skills Center’s programs provide a variety of hands-on educational and skills building activities for Wisconsin citizens interested in wildlife-related recreational pursuits

Dick has written numerous scientific and popular articles on wolves, birds and other critters including two books, The Timber Wolf in Wisconsin: the Death and Life of a Majestic Predator (1993), and Keepers of the Wolves (2001).