California is one of the most recent U.S. state to be recolonized by gray wolves. Since the male wolf OR-7 dispersed from northeastern Oregon and entered California 7 years ago, more than 15 additional wolves have entered California from other states. There are now three packs in California of which two have now reproduced in multiple years. Monitoring and management is challenging because wolves travel widely and use large, often remote areas. In working landscapes, wolf conservation and management is further complicated by the presence of livestock and land ownership and management patterns. In California this is magnified because most citizens lack of experience living with wolves, and the lack of some tools to mitigate wolf-caused livestock damage. As CDFW works to conserve wolves and minimize impacts to livestock producers, we strive to collaborate closely with communities within wolf range and to work hard towards good two-way communication and meaningful trust relationships. CDFW's wolf monitoring and management is adaptive and multifaceted and involves working closely with both wolves and people.

Originally from WI, a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and has been privileged to work for over 30 years as a field biologist for several state, federal, and tribal agencies to manage the public wildlife trust in six states throughout the Western United States. I’ve worked with species like black bear, cougar, elk, mule deer, and wolves for the last 23 years as well as ranchers, hunters, foresters, conservationists, and others inspired by our wild places and wild things.