"New Beginnings & Fresh Perspectives" Summer Speaker Series, Installment 4 of 4

Discussion of Wisconsin’s Fluctuating Wildlife Management Theories Grand Finale of Agency House’s Summer Speaker Series
 
The final installment of the Historic Indian Agency House 2013 Summer Speaker Series will take place Tuesday, September 24 at 6:30pm. At this time, timber wolf expert and retired Wisconsin DNR wildlife biologist Richard Thiel will discuss the changing (and often controversial) wildlife management theories and practices in Wisconsin, with a particular emphasis on the timber wolf. 
 
From instating hunting seasons that specifically target certain species, to enacting legislation intended to shelter these same species from harm—what is the impetus behind such widely varying management stances?
 
Mr. Thiel will begin with a summary of the timber wolf’s ecological function and distribution patterns prior to European contact, followed by an overview of the three separate management eras practiced in America: the bounty era, the recovery era and the present era. Within each era, Thiel will outline the motivating factors driving particular management philosophies.
 
Lifelong Wisconsinite Richard Thiel holds a Bachelors degree in Natural Resources Management and Biology from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point.  Captivated by the wolf since his mid-teens, Mr. Thiel launched the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ wolf recovery program in the winter of 1979-1980, and held that position until 1989.  Between 1989 and 2011, when he retired, he worked as a wildlife educator for the DNR, and continued wolf monitoring activities within the Central Forest Region of Wisconsin. 
 
Thiel continues his involvement in wolf monitoring and serves as a primary instructor for the Timber Wolf Information Network’s annual two-day Wolf Ecology workshops, held at various locations throughout the state each winter. Additionally, he serves on the board of the International Wolf Center, based in the Twin Cities and Ely, Minnesota and is presently chief editor of the book, Wild Wolves We Have Known: Stories of Wolf Biologists’ Favorite Wolves, to be released in October 2013.
 
He is himself the author of numerous popular and scientific articles on wolves and other critters, and has also written two books on Wisconsin’s wolves, both published by the University of Wisconsin Press. Copies of both books, The Timber Wolf in Wisconsin: Death and Life of a Majestic Predator and Keepers of the Wolves: The Early Years of Wolf Recovery in Wisconsin, will be available for sale and signing by the author the night of the event.  Copies will sell for $20.00 each.
 
The museum and visitor’s center exhibits, always free to the public, will be open 5pm until the lecture begins at 6:30pm.  A guided tour of the 1832 Winnebago Indian Agency will be available at 5pm. (Minimal fee applies; free for Supporters members). Light refreshments will be provided for lecture guests.
 
This is the fourth annual Summer Speaker Series hosted by HIAH. The 2013 series, entitled “New Beginnings & Fresh Perspectives,” has explored Wisconsin events, people, or other historical happenings that have undergone an interpretive change.  This theme is in honor of HIAH’s newly expanded guided tour that strives to better highlight the many roles and duties of Indian Agent John Kinzie, and a more nuanced interpretation of the Indian removal period and its effects on the indigenous population.
 
For the fourth year in a row, this speaker series is free to the public and made largely possible by generous grants from the The Great Circle Foundation Inc. of East Northport and the City of Portage Historic Preservation Commission.
 
The Historic Indian Agency House hosts a variety of children’s and adult programming throughout the year, including book-your-own Scout workshops! Visit www.agencyhouse.org for a full listing of events, or call 608-742-6362 with any questions.