FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oregon Wolf Tourism Set For a Howling Success With Two Summer Trips

Conservation group leads first of two summer wolf-themed getaways this weekend

Highlighting another positive impact of the return of wolves to Oregon, conservation group - Oregon Wild - leads a pair of wolf-based trips to Wallowa County.

Holly Akenson of Wallowa Resources discusses the natural history of wolves during the 2010 Oregon Wild Wallowa Wolf Rendezvous

Howling into the night sky listening for a response from Oregon’s Imnaha wolf pack. Getting the inside scoop from the ODFW biologists in charge of wolf recovery in Oregon. Hearing stories from the range from Oregon’s first ever Range Rider. Ten lucky wolf-enthusiasts will have the opportunity to do all this and more starting Friday, July 29 as participants in the second-ever Oregon Wild Wolf Rendezvous. The excursion comes a year after the conservation group hosted Oregon’s first-ever wolf tourism event in 2010. While the main goal is learning about wolves and having fun, Oregon Wild also hopes to show what wolves can mean for the local economy in northeast Oregon.

“We always tell people that with only 17 wolves in the state, the chances of actually seeing a wolf on one of our trips is small,” said Rob Klavins who will lead two trips this summer. “But, the great thing about Oregon’s wolf country is that even if you don’t see a wolf, you’ll be surrounding by the Eagle Cap Wilderness, the Zumwalt Prairie and some of the best scenery Oregon has to offer.”

This weekend’s trip is billed as a three-day, two-night camp out adventure. Along with visits from biologists, ranchers, and local wolf advocates, the trip-goers will get a special treat: a visit with Nez Perce elder Horace Axtall to give the Native American perspective on the wolf and its cultural significance. The full agenda includes:

• Welcome from host Diana Hunter (Barking Mad Farm Bed & Breakfast) and Wally Sykes of Northeast Oregon Ecosystem Advocates
• Presentation on natural history of wolves from Holly Akenson of Wallowa Resources
• Meet an Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife wolf biologist in the field
• Watch the Nez Perce Pow wow at Chief Joseph Days, meet with Nez Perce elder Horace Axtell and learn about that culture’s relationship with wolves
• Photo tips from local photographer Joe Whittle
• Exploring the Zumwalt prairie, raptor viewing, and enjoying scenic lookouts
• Get a ranchers perspective on living with wolves from last year's Range Rider Jason Cunningham
• Excursion in hopes of hearing the howls of the Imnaha Pack
• Boat tour of Wallowa Lake
  
• Wilderness hikes
  

“It's a special experience to share the landscape with such an amazing animal,” added 2010 Wolf Rendezvous trip participant Megan Gibb. “Just being out in the breathtaking beauty of Oregon wolf country and knowing there was a chance to hear a wolf howl through the night air was exhilarating."

Spots on the Wolf Rendezvous camp out filled up in less than a week, but for those who missed out, there is still a chance to explore Oregon’s wolf country. There are still spots left on the September 16-19, 2011 Wolf Rendezvous Bed & Breakfast Getaway. Guests will enjoy the beautiful views and deluxe amenities at Barking Mad Farm and tour the region to learn more about the return of wolves.

For more details and to sign up for the September Wolf Rendezvous, check out the Oregon Wild hikes and event webpage.

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Update August 11: Click here to read a blog post from one of the 2011 participants.

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