Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
August  2014
DISCOVERY
News from The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
In This Issue
Around the Center
Bears, Wolves, and Birds
Education
Eye Candy
Quick Links

Hello and welcome!

Thanks for dropping in to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a not-for-profit, AZA-accredited wildlife park and educational facility with a diverse crew of staff and volunteers. We're glad you're here with us, and we hope to see you in person soon. 

 

As usual, there's a lot going on in this issue. Enjoy the photos and the news. Get to know our amazing cast of characters, and share us with your friends. Please come visit us right here in West Yellowstone, relax and watch the animals, and participate in one of our interactive programs and displays. Until then we wish you all the best. We hope we can bring a little discovery and excitement your way. See you soon!
Nakina
Nakina
Around The Center
What's Happening at the GWDC
 
Well so much for bi-monthly. We have so much to tell you we had to sneak in an extra issue! Hope your summer is treating you well. If you haven't stopped by yet, we'll try to show you what's going on (and tempt you to come see the new exhibits, animals, and programs for yourself) before September rolls around.

One of the most exciting opportunities coming up in August and again in September is a Beginning - Intermediate Photography Class being offered here at the Center. This 9:30 - 3:30 class will be taught by Christopher Balmer - photographer, instructor, member of Professional Photographers of America, and owner of Perfect Light Camera & Supply in Idaho Falls, ID. Christopher is donating his time and expertise to teach fundamental principles of photography, camera care, and more. The class will be held here at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center on Saturday August 16th, and again on Saturday September 13th, and all registration fees ($75 per person for either date) will go directly to the Center. If you'd like to register, please email info@grizzlydiscoveryctr.org, reply to this newsletter, or use the Donation Form link on our website and write Photography Class and your preferred date in the project line. If you've ever thought about taking your photos to the next level or learning to capture the mystery and beauty of the animals here and in the wild, don't miss this class!
 
Remember if you have any questions, or just want to know more about any aspect of the Center, you can always give us a call at 406.646.7001, or shoot us an email. The webcams are another great way to keep an eye on the animals. We will try to keep you informed and up to date in as many ways as we can. Your involvement and interest in what we do keeps us doing it! We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Thanks again for tuning in.

Amphitheater 1
Nakiska in the Amphitheater!
Bears, Wolves, and Birds
(Oh My!)
Animal Updates

The caption above should say Bears, Wolves, Birds, Karelian Bear Dog, and Chickens.

Yes, this month we're proud to tell you about the stars of our newly-debuted outdoor programs and displays. You'll see our new Living with Bears on Easy Street featured in the next article, complete with chicken coop and real chickens! We're trying to show people how to keep wild bears as well as their property and livestock safe from harmful interactions in bear country. 

We're also presenting our Birds-of-Prey, Karelian Bear Dog, and National Park Ranger talks in the brand new amphitheater! Seating, shade structure, rock work and landscaping have all been completed and the crowd, as you can see, is loving the new venue. Nakiska really stole the show during her first outdoor program. Bred and trained to chase bears away from residential areas, Nakiska teaches visitors about bear safety and bear-human conflict prevention. 
Amphitheater 2

Rangers from Yellowstone National Park will be presenting talks here in the amphitheater as weather permits. The public is welcome to attend Park Service programs free of charge and invited to enter the rest of the Center with the regular 2-day admission. Birds-of-Prey programs are also taking place in this new open space. Naturalists display and tell amazing facts about owls, hawks, and falcons. You can see catch a program this weekend if you're in the neighborhood. Stop by for a schedule, a peek at our new venue, and some time with the animals.

 

Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted on the reason we're all here - the animals! Every issue of our email newsletter will have updates on the animals, and we will still be sending quarterly newsletters through the mail. We hope you'll stay tuned and please come visit us soon.

  Check out our wolves... 

Easy Street 1
Easy Street is Open!
Education 
Knowledge Is a Powerful Tool 
   
As promised, our newest exhibit is drawing crowds, though you can't see them in these pictures. You CAN see the shade structure for the amphitheater in the background though, and you can really get a sense of the layout of Easy Street. The front porch facade, grill, chicken coop, garden, compost tumbler, garbage cans, bear trap, and beehives, along with the signs and live chickens, are all looking great and teaching visitors a great lesson about living safely in bear country. This educational trail is a terrific addition to the Center. Many thanks to the individuals and foundations who made it possible! 

Easy Street 2
Come take a walk with us!
On the fence between Easy Street and the playground hangs a new art exhibit by illustrator Ted Rechlin. Entitled "Sixty Five Million Years of Yellowstone," these colorful and stylized illustrations highlight predators from long ago until today. Prints of the last three images in the series, the bison, wolf, and bear, are available in the Gift Shop. There is ALWAYS something interesting to see at the Grizzly & Wolf Discover Center.

Ted Rechlin 1
 
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 are currently adding materials to our Teaching Trunks, and adding programs to our roster. We will customize the program or the Teaching Trunk for your group and areas of special interest.  

 

Danna Arnold
Kootenai
Eye Candy
Photographs and Artwork from the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

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. Danna Arnold, Gretchen and John Heine, and Jen Holyer took the photos you are seeing in this issue.
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 month and enjoy all August has to offer, and we'll look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks again for keeping up with us and for all you do.

Sincerely,
CBalmer Class
Don't forget to sign up for one of our Photography Classes (August 16th or September 13th)!

The GWDC Staff
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
 
Gift Shop
Happenings

 
Crazy Dayz will be here August 8th, 9th, and 10th! You will find bargains and sales throughout West Yellowstone, including right here at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center! Beginning Friday you will find all sorts of items marked down 20-50% off! 

Hard to believe it's already time to say goodbye to Madi and Casey, who will be leaving the Gift Shop and Admissions in August. Thanks for a great summer ladies! 

We are all looking forward to making your visit to the Center enjoyable and educational. Give us a call anytime, and don't forget to shop online if you can't get here in person. We are looking forward to adding new clothing, bags, hats, books, and other merchandise to our website in the next few days. Take a look! 

Thanks for caring about the animals and the Center.
Stop in soon to see our new gift items and souvenirs!