Director's Den, Note from Executive Director, John Blankenship
Winter, 2010
During the first months of each New Year, I like to review the challenges and accomplishments of the prior year. This always helps me set meaningful goals for the current year. In this fast-paced world, I sometimes lose track of the accomplishments that we have made at Wolf Haven until I take a moment to look back.
Yes, we have been in a down economy. What we noticed, however, is that as usual, our loyal supporters have allowed us to make progress. I will list just a few things that were really important to Wolf Haven in 2009:
- Completed our underground water supply to the sanctuary.
- Obtained a challenge grant for starting construction of the perimeter fence around our entire property.
- Completed several deck pens and shelters for our animal enclosures.
- Shipped six Mexican gray wolves to Mexico to help our southern neighbor prepare for their release into the wild.
- Obtained and completed restoration of a separate Animal Care facility, where animals can be treated and recover in quiet space.
- Welcomed a future wolf supporter: our Education Director Megan Moskwa delivered a beautiful baby girl named Zofia in April.
- Received several estate settlements that help immensely with operational expenditures.
- Replaced our walk in freezer compressor, allowing us to say goodbye to a 1950's donated freezer.
- Conducted another successful Wildlife Handling class, complete with front page press coverage.
- Said goodbye to our wolf brothers Rhett, Kooskia, Zuni, Kuna and Blackhawk. Said hello to new residents: Lonnie, London, Pahana, Jaque, Riley, Caedus and The Mamas.
- Said goodbye to our previous Development Director Trudy Soucoup and Maintenance person Mark Harris.
- Said hello to new Director of Development, Patricia Connors Jalbert.
- Completed Wolf Haven's Strategic Plan.
In my view, the last accomplishment is significant. I have been trying to work on the Strategic Plan since I came to Wolf Haven over four years ago. Thanks to an energetic Board of Directors and primarily John Sleeter, the plan was completed and approved in December. The plan covers a five year period until 2014 and outlines the direction in which Wolf Haven needs to grow. As we publish the plan we will put it on our website for all to see.
It is obvious to us that we have outgrown our physical facility. We need to increase the capability of our sanctuary and enclosures to provide more space for resident wolves and opportunities for new rescues. Our small classroom can no longer handle the growing number of students who want to take advantage of learning opportunities. We have had to hold our Wildlife Handling class off site for the last two years because we do not have the space to handle the student interest. We need to reduce the carbon footprint of our facility with an energy efficient building and modern septic system that can serve the visiting public. We need to replace our old, inefficient gift shop with a facility that is safe to occupy.
As the Board and staff develop the yearly work plans for 2010 and beyond, we will be utilizing the Strategic Plan as a template for growth. Wolf Haven International needs to meet the increasing interest in conservation by expanding opportunities to educate the public about the value of wolves and large predators in ecosystems; the value of maintaining shrinking prairie habitats for the future, and providing learning opportunities, both indoors and out, for our school age children.
To all of you reading this who have supported us and helped us get to where we are today, THANK YOU for your help. We look forward to working with you and new supporters to carry out the vision of our plan and provide continuing benefit to the public.
