Obama and Salazar Uphold Bush Decision to Remove Wolves in Western States from Endangered List

Guess I am a bit disappointed. Citing wolves' comeback in several Western states and around the Great Lakes area, Obama's Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Friday kept in place the Bush Administration's recent removal of wolves from the list of endangered species.

I had posted earlier how I was suspicious of Bush's last minute decision on this before he left office in January. Obama said this would be reviewed, and so it was, but I guess I was hoping for an outcome more in favor of the wolves. As I said, I know a balance must be struck between humans and wildlife, but I think wildlife often gets shafted.

The federal government is also turning over management of the wolf populations to each state. But I question this move. I know the country is in financial straits, but I fear the states might cut corners--and once again, the wolves suffer.

Obama said the wolves' resurgence was a great "success story" of the Endangered Species Act, and he does have a point. Wolves will remain on the endangered list in Wyoming, the Southwest and several other states.

Environmental groups are, naturally, not so happy about Salazar's decision, including SaveWolves.org.

Obama and Salazar Uphold Bush Decision to Remove Wolves in Western States from Endangered List

Guess I am a bit disappointed. Citing wolves' comeback in several Western states and around the Great Lakes area, Obama's Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Friday kept in place the Bush Administration's recent removal of wolves from the list of endangered species.

I had posted earlier how I was suspicious of Bush's last minute decision on this before he left office in January. Obama said this would be reviewed, and so it was, but I guess I was hoping for an outcome more in favor of the wolves. As I said, I know a balance must be struck between humans and wildlife, but I think wildlife often gets shafted.

The federal government is also turning over management of the wolf populations to each state. But I question this move. I know the country is in financial straits, but I fear the states might cut corners--and once again, the wolves suffer.

Obama said the wolves' resurgence was a great "success story" of the Endangered Species Act, and he does have a point. Wolves will remain on the endangered list in Wyoming, the Southwest and several other states.

Environmental groups are, naturally, not so happy about Salazar's decision, including SaveWolves.org.

I'm Back In Time to Celebrate Imbolc!

Well, crazy week, 'nuf said. Hopefully, next week won't be as manic.

And here we are at Imbolc, the midpoint between winter and spring. If you don't know, it's an old tradition that marks the time when lambs start to nurse and focuses on fertility and the return of the sun from the dark, cold days of winter.

If you're curious about my altar photo:

• The white cloth and candles, plus the blue candle, reminded me of the wintry season we're in.
• The "white wand" at the left side is a mana tube I made. It contains sand and a quartz crystal within a copper pipe to attract energy. It's decorated with clear beads, reflective ribbon, glitter, white tape and white adhesive skulls. Yes, I am a 12-year-old girl--so there! Anyway, I actually made this several months ago. But then I read that St. Brigid, the patron deity/saint of Imbolc, "uses her white want to breathe life into winter," I thought, perfect!
• I have a dead twig to symbolize winter and a sprig of monkey grass to symbolize the coming spring.
• The ginger snaps also symbolize winter and the last celebration, Yule. The milk recognizes the nursing lamb aspect of Imbolc.
• The stuffed wolf is actually a poppet I made when i was given the name "Riverwolf." The wolf is one of my animal totems/spirit guides, and they have several connections to Imbolc. Some say that wolves, along with groundhogs, come out of hibernation about now to check the weather. In some areas, February is considered the "wolf month" because of its harshness and old tales of wolves eating humans to stay alive. Also, in roughly 2 weeks, is when Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival, was once held (roughly same time as our Valentine's Day). The best part? As part of the fertility ritual, the men would run around town naked except for a wolf mask! Sounds like fun--but it's a wee bit too cold for that around here!

Given the fertility rites surrounding Imbolc, it's a good time to focus on what we hope will grow in our lives in the coming year and how we can sow these seeds. I had my usual: more writing assignments, more honesty in my life and relationships and, of course, a whole lot more fun!

It's good to be back!

I'm Back In Time to Celebrate Imbolc!

Well, crazy week, 'nuf said. Hopefully, next week won't be as manic.

And here we are at Imbolc, the midpoint between winter and spring. If you don't know, it's an old tradition that marks the time when lambs start to nurse and focuses on fertility and the return of the sun from the dark, cold days of winter.

If you're curious about my altar photo:

• The white cloth and candles, plus the blue candle, reminded me of the wintry season we're in.
• The "white wand" at the left side is a mana tube I made. It contains sand and a quartz crystal within a copper pipe to attract energy. It's decorated with clear beads, reflective ribbon, glitter, white tape and white adhesive skulls. Yes, I am a 12-year-old girl--so there! Anyway, I actually made this several months ago. But then I read that St. Brigid, the patron deity/saint of Imbolc, "uses her white want to breathe life into winter," I thought, perfect!
• I have a dead twig to symbolize winter and a sprig of monkey grass to symbolize the coming spring.
• The ginger snaps also symbolize winter and the last celebration, Yule. The milk recognizes the nursing lamb aspect of Imbolc.
• The stuffed wolf is actually a poppet I made when i was given the name "Riverwolf." The wolf is one of my animal totems/spirit guides, and they have several connections to Imbolc. Some say that wolves, along with groundhogs, come out of hibernation about now to check the weather. In some areas, February is considered the "wolf month" because of its harshness and old tales of wolves eating humans to stay alive. Also, in roughly 2 weeks, is when Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival, was once held (roughly same time as our Valentine's Day). The best part? As part of the fertility ritual, the men would run around town naked except for a wolf mask! Sounds like fun--but it's a wee bit too cold for that around here!

Given the fertility rites surrounding Imbolc, it's a good time to focus on what we hope will grow in our lives in the coming year and how we can sow these seeds. I had my usual: more writing assignments, more honesty in my life and relationships and, of course, a whole lot more fun!

It's good to be back!

Gray Wolves Still in Danger?

Now that Obama is in office, one of the arguably more minor decisions he'll have to make is whether to reverse the Bush Administration's recent removal of gray wolves from the endangered species list in a handful of Western states. Some groups claim the wolves have not recovered sufficiently in these areas, and that the timing of the removal--roughly just a week before Bush left office--was a gift to conservative advocacy groups who see the wolf as a threat to area ranchers, fearing a sudden rash of wolf killings now that the ban has been lifted.

When asked about the controversy last week, Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro said "the president-elect will review all 11th-hour regulations and will address them once he is president."

I'm torn. I'd like to celebrate the fact that certain wolf populations are no longer on the brink of extinction, if that is in fact true, and yet I'm also aware of the frustration greater numbers of wolves can cause ranchers and farmers. Of course, I don't really trust much the Bush administration did. I do, however, think Obama's team will be more pragmatic about this.

Either way, we need to be more creative in learning to live with our animal cousins.

Gray Wolves Still in Danger?

Now that Obama is in office, one of the arguably more minor decisions he'll have to make is whether to reverse the Bush Administration's recent removal of gray wolves from the endangered species list in a handful of Western states. Some groups claim the wolves have not recovered sufficiently in these areas, and that the timing of the removal--roughly just a week before Bush left office--was a gift to conservative advocacy groups who see the wolf as a threat to area ranchers, fearing a sudden rash of wolf killings now that the ban has been lifted.

When asked about the controversy last week, Obama spokesman Nick Shapiro said "the president-elect will review all 11th-hour regulations and will address them once he is president."

I'm torn. I'd like to celebrate the fact that certain wolf populations are no longer on the brink of extinction, if that is in fact true, and yet I'm also aware of the frustration greater numbers of wolves can cause ranchers and farmers. Of course, I don't really trust much the Bush administration did. I do, however, think Obama's team will be more pragmatic about this.

Either way, we need to be more creative in learning to live with our animal cousins.