Read more about the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center...

The two new bald eagles Josh and Zack will be introduced to the outdoor habitat on Monday, April 28th. The walkway will be closed until the birds have adjusted to their new space. Our habitat hours are currently 8:30 - 6:00, seven days a week. Beginning May 10th they will extend from 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. We invite you to visit the bears, wolves, and birds soon and often.

 

Every issue of our email newsletter will have updates on our animals, and we will still be sending quarterly newsletters through the mail. Our next Howls & Growls newsletter will be sent out in June. If you want to be added to our H&G mailing list, give us a call. We'd love to greet you and tell you how to join up.

We know it's not the people who draw you to the GWDC, as charming as we are, so we'll keep you posted on the reason we're all here: the bears, wolves, and birds. Don't forget our bear dog Nakiska, who will be participating in our summer programs! Remember to tune in to our webcams when you're wondering what's going on around here; we want to keep you in the loop.

 
What better way to celebrate a belated Earth Day than with the planet's amazing and diverse wildlife? More than 120 of the top zoos and aquariums across North America are throwing a Party for the Planet™ from April 16th through this weekend, making it the largest combined Earth Day celebration in North America! Local AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, including the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, are the perfect place to connect with nature and conservation in your community. Party for the Planet™ festivities feature environmental education activities, amazing animal encounters and fantastic family fun. We are using this theme and participating in West Yellowstone's annual Earth Day Celebration this weekend, beginning tomorrow!

As promised, here is the run-down on Earth Day festivities here in West Yellowstone. If you're in the area, please join us for any of the following events:

WEST YELLOWSTONE'S 4TH ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

FRIDAY APRIL 26TH
WELCOME RECEPTION: 6:00pm to 9:00pm @ the Holiday Inn
6:00pm - visit the science fair booths and vendor displays (snacks will be offered)
6:30pm - USFS Presentation: 30th Anniversary of Lee Metcalf Wildness Area
7:00pm - GWDC Presentation about the 'Bear Safe Community Project'
7:30pm - Presentations of: Science Fair and Recycle Bin Winner, the West Yellowstone's Annual Environmental Award and Scavenger Hunt Information.
8:00pm - Film

SATURDAY APRIL 27TH
EARTH DAY FAIR: 9:00am to 1:00pm @ the Holiday Inn
KIDS WILL NEED TO BRING A WHITE T-SHIRT FOR THE USFS ANIMAL PRINT BOOTH
9:00am: Grizzly Wolf Discovery Center Presentation
9:20am: Visit the craft tables where you'll build items from recycled materials. This year we will be making kazoos, colored-sand vases, bottled cap magnets, terrariums and toys. USFS will also have a booth. Stop by the face painting booth, check out the music center made from household materials, and spend some time in the Art Gallery.
10:00am: US Forest Service 'Living with Grizzly Bears' Presentation and Smoky the Bear Appearance
10:30am: Continue visiting the craft tables, face painting booth, music center and art gallery
11:00am: Snack and Movie Time
11:30am: Continue visiting the craft tables, face painting booth, music center and art gallery
12:00pm: Bear Spray Demo by the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
12:15pm: Continue visiting the craft tables, face painting booth, music center and art gallery
1:00pm: Event Wrap Up and Drawing for Prizes
1:45 KEEPER KIDS @ THE GRIZZLY & WOLF DISCOVERY CENTER
CAMPFIRE RANGER TALK: 5:00pm to 7:00pm @ The Rendezvous Building
Come join us for the Ranger Campfire Program were the NPS will do a presentation on and you can sing along with the Cater Family from Pinecone Playhouse (TBD). There will be s'mores to roast on the fire and hot chocolate to keep you warm. Also there will be a grill if you want to bring something to grill. Ketchup, Mustard and Chips will be provided. Sitting is limited so please bring a camp chair with you, if you can.
FEATURE MOVIE: 7:30pm

SUNDAY APRIL 28TH
Ranger Snowshoe or Walk: 10:00am
MUST SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME
Bike Ride into the Park
MUST SIGN UP AHEAD OF TIME
FEATURE MOVIE
10:00 a.m. & 1:45 p.m. KEEPER KIDS @ THE GRIZZLY WOLF DISCOVERY CENTER

SCAVENGER HUNT WILL BE GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. For more information, contact us here at the GWDC or click here.

If you're interested in visiting the GWDC with your family or with your students, or if you'd like to sponsor a Teaching Trunk or outreach program, let us know. One of the Center's naturalists can visit your school for special assemblies, programs or activities. As you know, some of our birds-of-prey can travel for such programs as can our large collection of wolf and bear artifacts. We will customize the program or the Teaching Trunk for your group and areas of special interest.

 

Learn more about the GWDC Education programs... 

Developments

 

 

We are honored to have many artists and photographers visit and support the GWDC. Their vision and talents inspire and enliven our work here, so we thought it would be nice to feature some of their work in every issue of our newsletter. If you'd like to see your artwork here, send us an image! Paintings, sculptures, and mixed media are welcome too.

Our thanks to Gretchen Heine, David Reeves, and Kimberly Shields for this week's photographs.

Follow us and see more great photos on Facebook... 

We hope you enjoy this issue, learn a little something, and feel like you are here with us for just a few minutes. It's a pretty special place to be. Have a great couple of weeks and a fantastic spring, and we'll look forward to seeing you soon. Thanks again for all you do.

The GWDC Staff