Candidates needed for Wolf Advisory Group

OLYMPIA- The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking candidates to serve for the next three years (2019-2021) on the citizen committee that advises the department on wolf recovery and management.

The Wolf Advisory Group (WAG) was formed in 2013 with nine members representing the interests of environmentalists, hunters, livestock producers, and other stakeholders. In 2015, WDFW increased the group's size to 18 members to better reflect the diversity of perspectives on wolf conservation and management.

"This group has been extremely helpful in advising the department on the challenging issue of recovering and managing gray wolves in our state," WDFW Director Kelly Susewind said. "We are looking for candidates who value working cooperatively with others to develop management recommendations to advise the agency."

There are currently four vacancies on the WAG. WDFW is looking to recruit stakeholders who represent environmentalist, hunter, livestock producer, and at-large identity groups to fill these positions. Candidates must value compromise and cohesion on issues, with the intent to resolve conflicts.

"The WAG’s members have a wide range of perspectives and opinions on wolf recovery and management, and we are committed to continuing this collaboration," said Donny Martorello, WDFW wolf policy lead.

In addition to the four vacancies, Director Susewind will fill WAG positions that become vacant within the next year from the applications and nominations received.

To apply, submit letters of interest or nominations that address the following items:

• The applicant or nominee's name, address, telephone number, and email address;
• People or groups making nominations must also submit their own names and contact information;
• The candidate's relevant experience, organizational affiliations, and reasons why they would be an effective advisory group member;
• Familiarity with Washington's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and current wolf recovery status and management issues; and
• Experience in collaborating with people with different values.

The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Nov. 8, 2019. Letters of interest, relevant application materials such as CVs, and nominations may be emailed to wildthing@dfw.wa.gov or sent to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, P. O. Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504-3200.

Applicants who applied in 2018 and are still interested will be considered during this application period, and do not need to resubmit application materials.

New members should be available for meetings beginning as early as January 2020. The group holds at least four two-day meetings per year. Most meetings take place in Spokane, Ellensburg, and Olympia. Advisory group members may be reimbursed by WDFW for travel expenses to attend meetings.

More information about the Wolf Advisory Group is available at wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/wag/. The department's wolf conservation and management website is located at wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and other recreation opportunities.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation.