The Wolf Mountain Nature Center will be offering an outdoor education program at the Center, which is located in the beautiful, rolling hills of rural Smyrna, New York. The Center is home to 6 magnificent Grey Wolves living in a spacious, forested, Federal and State approved, licensed enclosure. The Center is also home to a beautiful pair of Arctic Foxes.
  We would like to extend to students the opportunity to visit the Center for our day-long program, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.  We are now booking for this spring, summer and fall. Groups are welcome! Ages 8-15. Spacing is limited, so we encourage you to schedule your day soon. A responsible adult must accompany program youth.
 Program Design: 
 We will offer a 5-hour program, which includes:

• Welcome, introductions, rules and “what do you already know” and “what would you like to know” activities that take place at the Tipis.
• Meet the wolves, Learn about the Wolves program.
• Interactive field game to learn about predator/prey relationships.
• Meet the Arctic Foxes and Learn about the Arctic program.        
• Global warming awareness activities, habitat loss and what can you do to help.
• An opportunity to explore natural objects such as deer hides, wolf fur, various animal bones and bird nests through touch.
• A tour of a working solar and wind alternative energy system.
• Introduction to organic gardening and greenhouse growing.          
• A nice, shady place to eat a brown bag picnic lunch. (bring your own lunch)
• Forest ecology interpretive hike.
• Outdoor art projects, during which students will learn how to draw pictures of the wolves and foxes.
• American Indian Tipi history, lore and stories.
• Wolf News, current issues and how you can help.
• Wrap up, Q&A’s and “what have you learned” activities.

Outcomes Expected:  Students will acquire a better understanding of the nature of the wolf, its history and its complex relationship with people, domestic animals and the environment.  They will also learn about the Arctic Fox and this animal’s amazing ability to survive the cold.  There will be an opportunity for actual field study and behavioral observation of the animals. Students will build a lasting foundation on which to create new study interests in sustainability, wildlife and the sciences.  The program will help dispel the age-old negative images, misconceptions and myths about wolves and will allow students to gain a better understanding of the historical, ecological role of predators in helping to maintain balance within Earth’s changing eco-systems. Additionally, we will present the opportunity for students to get a glimpse of the secret life of one of the oldest and least understood animals on this planet: canis lupus, the Grey Wolf, by examining its past, present and possible future.
 Our rates are a reasonable $10 per student, or $25 with wolf mountain paw print tee shirt, and includes art supplies and a take-home folder. A half down deposit is required to hold a spot for groups of 10 or more. Call soon for more information at 607-627-6784. Please visit our website at www.thewolfmountainnaturecenter.org . We do not provide food.
Thank you! 

Will Pryor, Director 

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center Inc.

562 Hopkins Crandall Road, Smyrna New York

School Intructors: For School groups

Dear Instructors,                                            

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center is a unique place where observation of natural wolf behavior is possible. 

We are located in the beautiful rolling hills of Smyrna, New York where our wolves enjoy a quality of life which promotes

their physical and psychological well being. The center is home to 6 magnificent Alaskan Timber Wolves and a beautiful pair

of pure arctic foxes living in a spacious, forested Federal and State approved and licensed enclosures.

Please visit and share with your students the WMNC website at www.thewolfmountainnaturecenter.org  which is currently being updated

with new pictures and upcoming 2011 events.  This year, 2011 promises to be an exciting year with many projects set to get underway when

the snow has gone.We anticipate more school groups visiting the center and one plan is to finish the temporary interpretive education center and

wolf den gift shop.  We would like to extend to you the opportunity to visit us at the center.  We are now booking group visits for this spring

and summer. Spacing is limited so we encourage you to schedule your class or group visit soon. 

Project Design: 

We can offer a 3 hour program which includes:

·         Welcome, introductions, rules, and “what do you already know” and “what would  you like to know” activities

·         Meet the wolves and Arctic Foxes. Wolf and Artic fox 101 program

·         Interactive field game to learn about predator/prey relationships

·         An opportunity to explore natural objects such as deer hides, wolf fur, various animal bones, bird nests, through touch

·         A tour of our solar and wind alternative energy system.

·         A nice shady place to eat a brown bag picnic lunch (bring your own lunch)

·         Meet the Arctic Foxes , habitat loss and what can you do to help

·         Forest ecology interpretive hike

• Wolf News, what is going on with wolves in the wild and how to help

·         Wrap up, Q&A’s, “what have you learned” activities

*Students hiking along one of our new interuptive trails

Outcomes Expected:  Students will acquire a better understanding of the nature of the wolf, its history and complex relationship with people,

domestic animals and the environment.  The opportunity for actual field study and behavioral observation will be part of this unique program.

Students will build a lasting foundation on which to create new study interests in wildlife, the sciences and as our future decision makers, learn how

they can effect social and environmental change. To help dispel the age old negative images, misconceptions and myths about wolves’ and allow students

to gain a better understanding of the history, ecological role of predators in helping to maintain balance within Earth’s changing eco-systems.

We additionally will present the opportunity for students to get a glimpse of the secret life of one of the oldest and least understood animals on  this planet,

canis lupus, the grey wolf, by examining its past, present and possible future.

Our group rates are a very reasonable $3 for children and $5 for any adults.  We do require a minimum $25 fee for all small groups. We need payment in

advance or the day of the program please as we do not have a billing department. Call us for your personal visit.  Again, our sincere thanks for your time

and consideration! 

William Pryor/Director, the Staff and Volunteers

The Wolf Mountain Nature Center Inc.

562 Hopkins Crandall Road

Smyrna, NY 13464  (607)-627-6784

Basic Wolf Ecology Facts

Ungulate over population results in:

.Over grazing of plant and tree species

. Increase in soil erosion, particularly along waterways.

. Loss of habitat and fewer small game animals such as rabbits and squirrels

. Reduction in the number of bird species due to loss of cover

. 

. Wolves Help To Maintain Balance

This is an actual, natural, wolf den here at the WMNC. This is where the puppies lived.

Wolf Medicine Teacher

Wolf have been seen by many American Indian cultures as ancient teachers

It was the wolf who taught the people in the early days of madness.

From observing wolves people learned and adapted many behaviors.

.  Family bonds

.  Pair bonds

.  Commutating in different ways

.  Hunting cooperatively

.  Protecting and teaching young

.  Leadership hierarchies

.  Defending hunting territories

.  Conservation, resting  hunting areas

.