In the western United States, wolves represent many things to many people. To some, wolves are a symbol of wildness. To others, wolves represent a very real threat to their livelihoods and well-being. Join us as we explore how people’s values impact how they think about wolves. When it comes to wolves, can we find a shared vision for the future?

To understand how we got to where we are today, hosts Alex and Jared go to Albert Sommers’ operation and the Green River Drift, a cattle migration in Wyoming that’s been taking place for generations. We’ll learn about the land management policies that shaped predator eradication, public lands, and the West we know today.

96% of wolves in the Northern Rockies live in the working wild: public and private lands where people and wildlife share the landscape. But who pays the cost of supporting biodiversity on the landscape? To find out, we explore the economics of our food system and take a look at how one ranch family is getting creative in order to share the landscape with wolves and maintain open space.

In 1995, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park after decades of absence. It didn't take long for them to make their way to Julia Childs' ranch, located just north of the park. When wolves were reintroduced in the Northern Rockies, they were entering a complex social and political landscape that continues today.

In this episode, Alex and Jared explore the nuances of the wolf reintroduction and recovery, made possible by the Endangered Species Act. This landmark environmental law passed with bipartisan support in 1973. Join us as we untangle how the ESA became just as controversial as the wolves it would seek to protect, and what that means for the future of species recovery on the eve of its 50th anniversary.

Do wolves pose a threat to people? What is “normal” wolf behavior? What happens when wolves set up shop in your neighborhood? Join hosts Alex and Jared as they explore a collection of stories about wolves getting a little too close for comfort, and the difficult choices wildlife managers face when wolves come to town.

Today we’re introducing you to one of our favorite podcasts, Reframing Rural, a show working to “reframe the narrative on rural America.”

In this episode from their third season, “Groundwork,” Reframing Rural producer Megan Torgerson shares the intimate journey of her family’s farm succession, as well as others in her home community of Dagmar, Montana, giving listeners an inside look into the emotional, legal and financial factors at play with succession planning.

The topic of farm and ranch succession is at the top of mind for many folks in rural America today. Around 40% of farmland in the United States is owned by people over the age of 65, meaning up to 370 million acres could change hands in the next 20 years.

To quote Megan, “The fate of rural America matters to everyone, no matter where you live.” And this show will help you understand why. Enjoy this guest episode, and Wolves in the West will be back with a new episode next week!

Listen to more Reframing Rural at www.reframingrural.org/

It’s easy to see wolf management in two buckets: full protection under the Endangered Species Act or unregulated wolf hunting. But successful management of established wildlife populations is most often somewhere in the middle, with hunting used both as a tool and a conservation funding mechanism.

Join Alex and Jared as they explore hunting as a management tool and take a look at how the North American model of wildlife conservation allows species to fund their own conservation and management. Plus, they’ll take a look at how Wyoming’s unique approach to managing wolves has helped increase acceptance and reduce conflicts.

Full show notes are available on our website.