Managing the fish and wildlife public trust is challenging especially in a value diverse and increasingly polarized society. High profile and controversial topics like wolves are uniquely difficult and complex because they occur in our sharpest sociopolitical realities of the day including our urban vs. rural fracture, decreased faith in government and leaders, and the promotion of “alternative facts.” However, wolves provide a superb opportunity for managers to grow in our societal cognizance and better engage with our publics to improve two-way communication, trust, and credibility. Managers must become savvier to choreograph well in a changed world – not just the biological to ecological, but also the psychological and the sociological. We must reinvent ourselves to interact with our publics in a manner that reduces barriers and promotes valued connections with individuals, groups, communities, and media professionals, that broadens and deepens human relationships and participation. Some hard-earned perspectives and ideas are presented here.

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.