Special Event with Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven

Wisconsin's Green Fire, February 15, 2025

Cover image for April 5, 2025 event with Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven with text overlaid on semi-transparent images of a dog and wolf and circular headshots of the presenters

Dog and Wolf Behavior & the Wolves of WI, plus an Auction of Experiences

A Special Event with Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven

Saturday, April 5, 2025, 1:00-3:30pm CT

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704

Click here to register.

  • Advance registration is required. No tickets will be available at the door.
  • Tickets are $35 per person.
  • Registration closes on March 22, 2025.

How are dogs and wolves alike? How are they different? What’s going on with wolves in Wisconsin these days? Join us for a special afternoon event with author and world-renowned dog trainer, Dr. Patricia McConnell and expert wolf scientist, Adrian Wydeven. We will have a fun mixer, hear presentations on dogs and wolves, and hold an auction of special experiences around Wisconsin and beyond!

About Our Presenters:

Patricia McConnell smiles beside a female wolf, both facing camera

Dr. Patricia McConnell and a female wolf at Wolf Park in Indiana

Dr. Patricia McConnell, WGF Ambassador

Dr. Patricia McConnell is the author of several critically acclaimed books, including The Other End of the Leash, which has been translated into thirteen languages. Patricia was the host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s show Calling All Pets from 1996 to 2008. She lives on a small farm in western Dane County with her husband, Jim Billings, two working Border Collies, and a small flock of sheep (rotationally grazed, of course!). She is a Wisconsin’s Green Fire Ambassador.

She has been a committed environmentalist since the early 1970s, when she volunteered for the first United Nations Youth Conference on the Environment, and the Institute of Ecology at UW-Madison. She received her PhD in Zoology (now Integrative Biology) from UW-Madison in 1988, where she taught “The Biology and Philosophy of Human/Animal Relationships” for twenty-five years. McConnell, trained in Ethology, is an Applied Animal Behaviorist, who saw serious canine and feline behavior cases for twenty-five years, and speaks around the world about animal behavior.

Adrian Wydeven holds a wolf pup

Adrian Wydeven holds a wolf pup while assisting the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa on wolf research, May 2024

Adrian Wydeven, WGF Science Council Member

Adrian Wydeven is an expert wolf biologist with over 40 years researching and managing wolves and other mammals in the Midwest. Adrian grew up in Kimberly, Wisconsin along the highly industrial Fox River, but managed to find some wild areas along the river and along railroad tracks that inspired his interest in wildlife and the wild places where they lived. Adrian obtained his BS degree from UW-Stevens Point in Biology and Wildlife Management (1976), and his MS from Iowa State University (1979).  He worked in wildlife conservation and management for the Missouri Department of Conservation (1980-1982), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (1982-2015) over the next 35 years.

Between 1990 and 2013, Adrian headed up the recovery and conservation program for gray wolves and other nongame mammals in Wisconsin. With retirement in 2015, Adrian continues to be active as volunteer, part time worker, or contractor, surveying and promoting sound conservation of wolves and other wildlife. He is an author on numerous scientific publications as well as several Wisconsin’s Green Fire papers. He is a member (and former co-chair) of the Wisconsin’s Green Fire Wildlife Work Group and a member of our Science Council.

About the Presentations:

Dr. Patricia McConnell’s Talk: Dogs Are Wolves/Dogs Are Not Wolves!

I’ll talk about how dogs are closely related to wolves, both genetically and behaviorally, but are also so very different. They are both uber social, playful as adults, and good at working as a team. And yet, I’d advise against taking a bone out of a wolf’s mouth, and expecting a wolf to learn to look in the direction you are pointing. Viva the similarities, and Vive la différence!

Adrian Wydeven’s Talk: How Are Wolves Doing in Wisconsin?

I will talk a little about wolf biology, their current status, and management in Wisconsin, and provide opportunity to ask questions about how wolves are doing in the state. 

Auction of Experiences

After the talks, Patricia—who will do her best to imitate a real-live auctioneer—will auction a number of unique experiences. The afternoon will culminate with an exciting auction of experiences. These special experiences have been donated by WGF experts and will take place around the state. More details about the experiences will be available at the event.

Are you unable to join us for the event but still want to bid on the auction of experiences? No problem! You are allowed to have a proxy bid on your behalf. The person who is a proxy represents their bidder. The proxy must register and attend this in-person event. The bidder and proxy must make these arrangements themselves. Payment information will be collected at the event.

Bid high! All proceeds will go to Wisconsin’s Green Fire.

#1 – Lunch and Dog Training with Dr. Patricia McConnell

Lunch at Redstart Farm with Trisha McConnell and Jim Billings outside of Black Earth, WI, along with the stars of the show, working Border Collies Maggie and Skip. Trisha will teach you to work a high-powered sheepdog (sort of like driving a Maserati), introduce you to a flock of very spoiled sheep, including Beyonce and TayTay, and teach you some way-cool easy and fun training exercises. See pictures of the farm, the dogs, and more resources on dog training on Dr. McConnell’s website.

#2 – Dinner and Wolf Howl with Adrian Wydeven in the Northwoods

Join wolf biologist Adrian Wydeven for dinner followed by a wolf howl experience in Wisconsin’s great Northwoods! Up to 4 people will join Adrian and his wife Sarah Boles for an evening tour of the Northwoods forest. The experience includes a drive through a wolf pack territory that Adrian has been monitoring for many years. Sarah and Adrian will use their voices to try to get a response from the wolves. Guests will have opportunities to also try howling for wolves as well. We can’t guarantee the wolves will respond; these are wild wolves that decide on their own if they will call back.  We have had many successful responses to howls in the past. We can guarantee beautiful views of the night sky and sounds of the northern forest at night.

A wildlife camera image at a wolf den site in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, spring 2024

A wildlife camera image at a wolf den site in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, spring 2024

#3 – Getaway to Green Valley, Arizona at Jim & Joy Perry’s

Enjoy a one-week stay at this scenic Green Valley, AZ townhouse set in the middle of the Canoa Trails Park and overlooking the stunning Santa Rita Mountains. Sunrise fills the windows and sunset casts the mountains in an Arizona-pink glow. Very private two bedroom, two baths with large wrap-around covered patio. 20 miles south of Tucson with easy access to many outdoor desert and mountain activities including ghost towns and the Arizona Trail. 15 miles to the iconic artists’ community of Tubac. Birder’s paradise! 40 miles to Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, two hours to Phoenix. Several local golf courses and natural parks, with miles of paved walking trails within one block. Up to 4 people, between June 1 and Dec. 15, 2025. Winner will be able to arrange details with the Perrys.

#4 – Fishing Trip with Tom Hauge

Spend a day on a beautiful lake in the Madison Area with Tom Hauge, retired Director of the WDNR’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. You’ll join Tom in the search for tasty bluegills or trout (winner’s choice).  Tom will supply the boat, life jackets and endless stories of the wonderful world of Wisconsin wildlife. He can supply fishing gear if needed. The highest bidder will determine the meeting location based on their choice of lakes. Limited to 2 people, available weekdays Aug 1 – Sep 15, 2025.

#5 – Learn about Necropsy with John Olson

A special necropsy experience with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) July 15-17, 2025, in Ashland, WI. In cooperation with the WDNR, six amazing state veterinarians from Oregon to Virginia, Tennessee to Minnesota will come together in Ashland to conduct detailed necropsies of various furbearers from opossums to wolves, muskrats to martens. The highest bidder gets to join in for one full day’s lesson on the AFWA program and results to date, be a recorder for one of the vets, and more!

#6 – Manoomin (Wild Rice) Harvest

A Wisconsin’s Green Fire Manoomin experience. Highest bidder receives a full day of harvest, education, (sore muscles), and your own wild rice! Meet somewhere in northern WI in late August or early September at a rendezvous location to be determined.

Sign me up! Register Here.

If you have any questions about the event or how to register, please contact us!

Event Sponsors: Presentation by Dr. Patricia McConnell & Adrian Wydeven

Silver Sponsors:

bad dog frida – really cool things for good dogs, cats, and their people | 2094 Atwood Ave Madison, WI 53704

Is your business or organization interested in sponsoring this event? Contact WGF’s Philanthropy and Membership Coordinator, Erica LeMoine at elemoine@wigreenfire.org.

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