Pacific canid research consortium
Reimagining wolf research in California—led by women, guided by Indigenous science, and grounded in compassion-first conservation.
About the Project
AS WOLVES RETURN TO CALIFORNIA, THERE IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF WOLF RECOVERY EARLY-BEFORE CONFLICT AND REACTIVE MANAGEMENT BECAME THE DEFAULT. THIS PROJECT WILL AIM TO CONTRIBUTE TO A DIFFERENT MODEL OF WILDLIFE SCIENCE: ONE THAT IS ETHICAL, PLACE-BASED, GUIDED BY INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, AND CONNECTED TO PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING.
The Women for Wolves California Wolf Research Initiative aims to study wolves recolonizing California, using non-invasive methods, Indigenous science, and ethical conservation frameworks. Our goal is to pair rigorous research with impactful education to support coexistence and inform the future of wolf recovery.
What We Plan to Study
THE PROJECT WILL FOCUS ON WOLVES RECOLONIZING CALIFORNIA AND THE LANDSCAPES THEY ARE ENTERING. USING TOOLS SUCH AS TRAIL CAMERAS, NON-INVASIVE MONITORING, AND LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS, WE AIM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW WOLVES ADAPT TO MODERN CALIFORNIA ECOSYSTEMS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR LONG-TERM COEXISTENCE:
1. Wolf movement, dispersal, and pack formation
Studying wolf pack behavior, territory use, prey dynamics, and movement patterns across changing and fire-adapted landscapes.
Includes post-fire habitat use, disturbance ecology, and corridor connectivity.
2. Post-Fire & Disturbance Research
Examining how wolves interact with burn scars, forest management zones, and regenerating ecosystems. Assessing how wildfire, logging, and restoration practices influence wolf-prey relationships and livestock overlap.
3. Indigenous Science & Place-Based Knowledge
Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into wolf research design, interpretation, and landscape understanding.
Collaborating with Tribal wildlife departments and cultural practitioners to center relational ecology.
4. Non-Lethal Coexistence & Conflict Prevention
Researching, testing, and promoting effective non-lethal deterrents to reduce livestock conflict and prevent reactive killing. Including: Fladry, Range riders, Carcass management, Guardian animals, Adaptive grazing strategies & Post-fire grazing adjustments.
5. Policy Translation & Public Science
Turning research findings into: legislative recommendations, agency guidance, coexistence funding advocacy, & educational programming.
From Research to Coexistence
This work will extend beyond data collection.
Findings will be translated into:
Public education and storytelling
Coexistence strategies and tools
Policy and agency guidance
Community awareness and early intervention
By connecting research directly to outreach, we aim to help shape a future where coexistence is proactive—not reactive.
Fund a Trail Camera
One of the first steps in building this project will be establishing a trail camera network.
Trail cameras will allow us to:
Monitor wolf movement without disturbance
Document wildlife use across key habitats
Gather early ecological data in recolonizing landscapes
Support education and storytelling through visual evidence
Your support will help fund:
Camera equipment and field supplies
Batteries, memory storage, and maintenance
Data collection and analysis
Long-term monitoring capacity
This is not just funding equipment—it is helping build an ethical, non-invasive foundation for wolf research in California.
A Project in Development
This research initiative is currently in development.
Early support will help lay the groundwork for a long-term effort to study, understand, and support wolves returning to California—while building a model for conservation rooted in ethics, Indigenous knowledge, and coexistence.
Our Research Team
Reena Hachme
Tara Dehdari
Anna Doty
Jessica hernandez
Omar Khayam
Anjali Ranadive
“The return of wolves to Yellowstone triggered a trophic cascade that altered the structure and function of the ecosystem.”
— William J. Ripple & Robert L. Beschta (Ecological Monographs)
FAQ
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Sign up and pay all required fees to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the retreat start to receive a 50% refund.
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
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We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.
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