Defenders' Awards
Contact the President's Council
For additional information, please call
(877) 747-5629
or send us an email.
To join by mail:
Download a form and send to:
Defenders of Wildlife
President's Council
1130 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Annual President's Council Wildlife Conservation Workshop
President's Council members are invited to join us each August on this exclusive trip inside Yellowstone National Park. Members get a first-hand look at Defenders' conservation work, most notably, the return of wolves to the park. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual throughout the trip, and the beautiful setting could not be more appropriate for learning about Defenders' programs, including our work in the Northern Rockies and the efforts to restore wolves to the region.
Report from the 2007 Wildlife Workshop
In August of 2007 President’s Council members from across the country attended the 16th annual Wildlife Conservation Workshop in Yellowstone National Park. Staying in the Lamar Valley at the Yellowstone Association Institute’s Buffalo Ranch, we were in a prime location to view wildlife from our own backyard.
We started early the first morning, bundled in fleeces, hats and gloves and were rewarded with the sighting of a lone female from the Druid Peak pack. Shortly after that we spotted six wolves from the pack traveling through the area. We moved further east in the Valley and were lucky to see a grizzly feasting on a bison carcass.
The wildlife continued to put a show on for us all week with continued sightings of the grizzly, wolves from both the Druid Peak and the Slough Creek packs, bison, coyote, pronghorn, mountain goats, ospreys, and bald eagles, just to name a few.
In addition to the wildlife viewing, participants heard first hand from Defenders staff, including President Rodger Schlickeisen and Executive Vice President Jamie Clark, about our work in the field and in Washington.
“I was prepared to be awed by the animals and the vistas, but I was totally unprepared to behold the majesty and magnitude of Mother Nature’s natural resources,” said 2007 participant Barbara Long. “Interacting with the knowledgeable [Defenders] staff that participated in the workshop was a bonus added to experiencing this workshop and the wonders of Yellowstone.”
2009 Wildlife Workshop
Plans for next year’s trip, which is tentatively scheduled for August 2009, are already underway. If you are interested in participating or getting more information, please contact Molly Farrell at presidentscouncil@defenders.org or (877) 747-5629.
Who may participate?
All participants or one member of the family must be a current Defenders of Wildlife President's Council member as of August 1, 2009. Click here to renew or upgrade your membership.
What to Expect?
We designed the workshop to be educational and hands-on, with an excellent mixture of briefings by conservation experts and Defenders staff, wildlife-viewing, and hiking to give you a truly unique experience. The trip is led by wildlife experts who offer a wealth of knowledge on Yellowstone ecology. While each day has a similar structure, the focus shifts to give participants a complete overview of wildlife in Yellowstone. Take a look at the 2008 itinerary.
Participants should be able to walk at least two miles over uneven terrain. Altitudes within the park range from 5,200 to 11,300 feet.
Lodging and Meals
Up to three participants share Buffalo Ranch's comfortable, heated cabins and families of up to four can be accommodated. Bathroom facilities and showers are in the newly constructed restroom building steps away from your cabin. Meals are served in the Institute's heated log building or on the back porch overlooking the Lamar Valley. Meals are hearty and healthy, and we can adapt to all dietary restrictions.
What to Bring
Participants will receive a list of clothing and equipment recommended for the trip. Since mountain weather prevails in the high country, be prepared for everything including hot sun, cold, wind, rain and snow. Temperatures range from the low 40s in the early morning to the mid 70s in the afternoon. Regardless of the weather or our itinerary, attire is casual. Participants will also need to bring a pillow, sleeping bag (or sheets and blankets) and towels.
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