Wolf Paws
Yes, "paws," relax & enjoy the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation's Sanctuary Newsletter-1-2011/p> |
Released: 1st Quarter 2011
Hello Everyone,
After a year we're finally back to writing. Our paws have gotten much bigger and it looks to us like the keyboard has shrunk so if you see a typo, just blame it on our big feet. What a year 2010 was, and this is thanks to each and every one of you. We were swamped with visitors and so far the bookings for 2011 are coming in like crazy. Dad carries his appointment book everywhere he goes. Since we only do 10AM and 1PM appointments in the winter months, Dad said we now have time to write and thank everyone for all that has been done and given to us. We have not forgotten the deep impression that each of you made on us, and for that we are extremely grateful. We also want let everyone know what we did last year and what some of our plans are for this coming year.
Apache and Cherokee are the main traveling ambassadors, and between them they traveled 42 days last year. They have been to Air Force and Army bases, schools in Monument, Black Forest, Colorado Springs, Woodland Park, Divide, Canon City, Pueblo and Salida, city and county fairs, Mueller State Park, Buckskin Joe's, three Powwows, Penrose Library and the Penrose Senior Center, five Farmers Markets, and to several civic clubs, just to name a few places. Apache, at 21 months, has met almost as many people as Cheyenne did in her 12+ years. He and Cherokee are already scheduled for 7 travel days just this quarter and have many more scheduled through the end of the year. Uncle Jerry is in the process of redesigning our website and has a section with a calendar of events of the places where we will be attending. If you have an event that you would like us to attend, please call 719-660-5480 or send us an email at mark@visionswest-art.com Click here to Email and let Dad know as soon as possible. Along with Uncle Robert Soaring Hawk and Dad, we will put on from 20 minute to 2 hour or more presentations. Even though they do all the talking, we wolves are the real stars of the show and it's all free.
This last year we had volunteers come from all over Colorado, New York, and from as far away as New Zealand. Dad is extremely grateful for all the help that they gave and work they did with us wolves. There were also cadets from the Air Force Academy and several groups of Boy Scouts that helped prepare for several new pens. If you would like to help us out, let Dad know when the best time for you is, as we can only take so many volunteers at a time. Bring your work gloves, boots and work clothes. Plan on "bustin yur butt" as Dad works you hard. If you would like to work two or more days, Dad will provide room and board for you at Aunt Vanessa and Uncle Bill's house. By the way, they're both excellent cooks.
If it wasn't for all of the volunteers, we could not have accomplished all that was done. Once again, a big "Thank You" to all that helped us out!
This year Dad and the volunteers are going to expand the pup's pen and build another large pen at the lower end of the sanctuary. Two other acre plus size pens are planned up on the hillside above Dads home. Also in the works is construction of a handicap ramp so that those in wheelchairs can see all of us wolves. Thanks to Aunt Helen and Uncle Don, we now have six solar panels and a solar tracking system, and to go with it, Judy and Charlie donated a heavy duty backup generator. We now need about $6500 to purchase the other components and batteries to complete the construction and installation of the entire system. We will then have all the electricity needed to fully operate the sanctuary. Linda and Chuck donated five water storage tanks to be placed around the various pens. If this summer we can bring in an extra $20,000 Dad will be able to complete most of the planned construction projects and provide homes for more of our cousins.
Besides the solar system, the other most pressing need is for a used 4X4 backhoe. This piece of equipment would be used all year round. We need it for construction of pens and fencing, digging foundations and waste burial trenches, construction and maintenance of roads and walkways and for snow removal in the winter months. If anyone knows where we might be able to get one, please let us know. If you know of anyone who might be able to donate their time and use of their backhoe, that too would be greatly appreciated. It would also help if we could get at least two weeks rental for a backhoe.
A big "Thanks" goes out to each of you now involved in our Adopt-a-Wolf program. This helps pay for the care of each animal adopted. Check out the website for more information.
Also on the home page, Summer 2010 intern Moriah Turner created a movie tribute to us wolves here at RMWF. It already has more than 400 views and we hope you enjoy it. You can check it out at:
Summer 2010 intern creates movie of RMWF residents.
Once again we would like to thank all of our visitors, volunteers and those who are just following us on the web, for the help, support, equipment and monetary donations that each of you have so generously donated. It is because of you that we now have a home where we are safe, loved and cared for. Thank you.
Apache, Cherokee, Lakota, Navajo, Ladyhawke, Merlin, Spirit, Mattie,
Zoya, Mama Bear, Baby, Pia, Tika and Tundra
Mark "Wolf" Johnson
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Foundation
(a 501-c-3 Corporation)
PO Box 215
Guffey, Colorado 80820
719-660-5480