Wolves sometimes get a bad rap so in honor of National Wolf Awareness Week (Oct. 20-27), the California Wolf Center in Julian is hosting a series of events and programs to shine a spotlight on these majestic, yet tragically misunderstood, creatures.
The nonprofit conservation, education, and research facility plays an important role in binational efforts to prevent the extinction of one of the rarest land mammals in the world, the Mexican gray wolf.
Contrary to the classic fairy tales about the “Big Bad Wolf” and the menacing images of werewolves that reappear this time of year, wolves generally do not pose a threat to humans and avoid people as much as possible. Much of the conflict between wolves and humans exists because of public fear and misinformation, rather than actual instances of wolf attacks. CWC aims to change these misconceptions.
Upcoming events and programs include:
- Wolf Story Hours – CWC will help dispel harmful myths about wolves while reading fun illustrated stories that show wolves in a more “paws”-itive light.
- Lakeside Library – Oct. 19 (Children’s Storytime: 10:30 a.m., Adult Presentation: 3 p.m.)
- San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum – Oct. 22 (10 a.m.)
- Julian Library – Oct. 23 (10:30 a.m.)
- Wolf Awareness Week Specialty Tour (Oct. 20) – What better way to increase your wolf awareness than to spend an afternoon with CWC’s ambassador wolves? On this special educational tour, guests will have a chance to toss delicious treats to the wolves and gain insights into their unique biology, behaviors, history, and role within our ecosystem.
- Howl-O-Ween (Nov. 2 & 3) – During these spooktacular and family-friendly tours, guests can make their wolf-themed masks and toss special Halloween enrichment to the wolves while learning about the myths and legends they have inspired over the centuries.
- Webinar (Oct. 21) – CWC will host an educational webinar with Maggie Dwire, Deputy Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to talk about the fascinating process of fostering wolf pups and how it is changing the tale of the endangered Mexican gray wolf from a tragedy to one of the greatest conservation success stories ever told.
- Julian Wonderfest (Oct. 26) – Join CWC for a day of educational fun, wildlife, and discovery, starting with a presentation (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) about wolves at William Heise Park. Afterward, CWC will be at Menghini Winery for Wonderfest, a free community event (2 – 11 p.m.) that will include a late-night astronomy star party, wildlife ambassador encounters, family games and activities, art and music presentations, and outreach booths from local nature-focused organizations, food vendors and more.
- Wolf Awareness Week Art Contest – In honor of National Wolf Awareness Week, CWC is hosting its first-ever Wolf Art Contest, with artists (18 years and older) invited to share their love of wolves by creating beautiful original illustrations and for a chance to win a CWC tour package and other cool prizes
Can’t make it to Julian? You can get to know CWC’s wolves virtually through a live webcam stream from inside one of the wolf enclosures, featuring a birds-eye view of two Mexican gray wolves (Thor and Durango). Access to the video feed is free (although donations are welcome) through the CWC website, YouTube and Twitch.
About the California Wolf Center
The California Wolf Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat and to the people who share their landscape with them. The one-of-a-kind conservation, education, and research facility is currently home to 23 wolves in six packs, including 19 Mexican gray wolves and four Northwestern gray wolves.
