Pathways 2019: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conference, hosted by the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, will be held at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Sept. 22-26.
The conference will host plenary talks on wolves on Monday and Tuesday afternoon, with a world cafe workshop on Wednesday focused on developing research priorities for wolf reintroduction in Colorado. The world cafe methodology is a format use for hosting large group discussion.
A balanced conversation
The plenaries will feature leading experts from across the country, who will discuss public perceptions, Indigenous perspectives and current social science research on wolf reintroduction. Many of these presenters have worked on wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park and other key areas across the U.S.
Speakers for the event include:
• Kerey Barnowe-Meyer, Nez Perce Tribe
• Diane Boyd, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
• Jeremy Bruskotter, Ohio State University
• Terry Fankhauser, Colorado Cattleman’s Association
• John Duffield, University of Montana
• Richard Knight, Colorado State University
• Mike Phillips, Turner Endangered Species Fund
• Suzanne Asha Stone, Wood River Wolf Project
• John Vucetich, Michigan Technological University
A pressing issue
In July 2019, a wolf was sighted in Jackson County, 90 miles northwest of Fort Collins. It was the first confirmed wolf sighting in Colorado since 2015. More recently, there have been unconfirmed sightings of wolves in Cripple Creek just west of Colorado Springs.
Wolf reintroduction is in the forefront of many Coloradan’s minds as initiative #107 is attempting to put wolf reintroduction on the ballot in November 2020. Plenary speaker Mike Phillips was recently interviewed in a Colorado Sun article about the Colorado petition to put wolves on the ballot.
About the conference
Beginning in 2008, the Pathways Conference has sought to facilitate inquiry, increase collaboration, and highlight the latest research and practice focused on the complex issues of how a growing global population coexists in a sustainable and healthy manner with wildlife.
Pathways, held biennially in Colorado, features leading research on how humans interact with, value and perceive wildlife from preeminent scientists and practitioners from the United States and around the world.
The conference is open to the public, but requires registration to attend. The deadline to register online is Sept. 9, student and one-day rates are available. Registration is also available onsite and includes admission to all sessions, catered breaks and socials, a closing dinner, and for full registration a one-year subscription to the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Journal.
