named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy and Policy Engagement
Engages in public advocacy campaigns opposing harmful wolf hunting regulations and promoting stronger protections for endangered wolf populations
Ambassador Wolves Program
Features three resident ambassador wolves (Nikai, Silas, and Kinari) that educate visitors onsite and through live webcams about wolf behavior, ecology, and conservation
Offsite Education Presentations
Conducts educational events at public libraries and zoos across New York and Connecticut on topics including wolf conservation, coexistence with coyotes, and species recovery efforts
Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Red Wolves and Mexican Gray Wolves
Participates in federal recovery programs by breeding and managing critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves for potential release into the wild
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 3 activities
- Offering symbolic adoptions and public outreach materialsProvides symbolic wolf adoptions to support the care of wolves at the center and distributes printable educational flyers with practical tips, such as preventing Lyme disease from tick bites, to extend conservation outreach beyond direct programming.
- Operating ambassador wolf and public engagement programsManages an ambassador wolf program featuring three wolves that participate in educational outreach, including onsite and virtual interactions. Provides live webcam access to ambassador wolves for global public engagement and hosts virtual events, such as during heat waves, to connect the public with wolf care and conservation.
- Providing educational programming on wolf conservationOffers comprehensive educational programming about wolf anatomy, physiology, habitats, and ecological roles, with a focus on endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. Programs are delivered onsite, offsite at public libraries, and virtually, covering topics such as U.S. biodiversity, native species, and coexistence strategies for coyotes and wolves.
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Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release 2 activities
- Providing medical care and enrichment for wolvesDelivers veterinary medical care to wolves, including treatment for conditions such as rectal prolapse and nutrient absorption issues. Provides species-specific enrichment activities such as floating ice chunks, popsicles, pool toys, and feeding programs using roadkill deer to support physical and behavioral health.
- Supporting wolf recovery through breeding and reintroductionParticipates in the breeding and reintroduction of critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves since 2003, with 18 wolves from the center successfully released into the wild. Facilitated the birth of red wolf pups onsite, including veterinary care and health monitoring.
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Camp Volunteer Engagement & Facility Stewardship 1 activity
- Engaging volunteers in conservation support activitiesOffers onsite and offsite volunteer opportunities involving non-contact support work with wolves, including grounds maintenance, cleaning, mowing, brush clearing, construction, and assistance with educational programs. Volunteers also help acquire and handle roadkill deer for feeding and participate in group projects of 10–25 people, some involving fees.
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Managed Campground and Retreat Operations 1 activity
- Hosting overnight and scout educational programsHosts overnight programs for youth groups including Private Scout Nights, featuring pizza meals, evening snacks, breakfast, outdoor movie screenings, and tent accommodations. Participants observe endangered red and Mexican gray wolves and interact with ambassador wolves during educational experiences.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.72M
Contributions & grants$2.86M77%
Program service revenue$317K9%
Investment income$282K8%
Other revenue$261K
expenses
Total expenses$3.03M
Program expenses64%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising19%
Salaries & benefits$1.23M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.70M
Cash$2.30M
Investments$7.95M
Liabilities$106K
Net assets$14.59M
Liquid reserves40.6 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +32.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEILA WETMORE | EXEC DIRECTOR FROM 12/13/24 | 60 | $16K |
board members · 14
- CLAUDIA NEARY — SECRETARY
- CRISTINA CIVETTA — BOARD MEMBER
- DEAN TRAVALINO — BOARD MEMBER
- ERROL ANTZIS — BOARD MEMBER
- HELENE GRIMAUD — CO-FOUNDER
- JEFFREY BLOCKINGER — BOARD MEMBER
- MARTHA HANDLER — PRESIDENT
- MARYANNE HARTLEY — BOARD MEMBER
- SCOTT KANTRO — BOARD MEMBER
- SHARI WOLF RUCKH — TREASURER
- SUSIE FREUND — BOARD MEMBER
- TRACY KRAFT — BOARD MEMBER
- TRIPP KILLIN — VICE PRESIDENT
- WILLIAM CORDIANO — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- 15 wildlife conservation, environmental, and animal protection organizations Coalition — Part of a coalition urging New Mexico leaders to close trapping loopholes and strengthen protections for endangered Mexican gray wolves.
- Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Partner — Hosts offsite wolf conservation education presentations by the Wolf Conservation Center.
- East Hampton Public Library Partner — Hosts offsite wolf education events with the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Ellenville Public Library and Museum Partner — Hosts offsite wolf conservation education events presented by the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Facebook Partner — Platform used to facilitate peer-to-peer fundraising for the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Irvington Public Library Partner — Hosts offsite educational events on coexisting with coyotes presented by the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Just Giving Partner — Platform used to facilitate peer-to-peer fundraising for the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Love and Deepspace Partner — Mobile game community that raised over $29,000 to support the Wolf Conservation Center’s conservation efforts.
- North Castle Public Library Partner — Co-hosts a virtual educational presentation on U.S. biodiversity.
- Phoenicia Library Partner — Hosts WCC educational events offsite in collaboration with the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Phoenicia Library Partner — Hosts offsite educational events about North American wolves presented by the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Southbury Public Library Partner — Hosts offsite wolf conservation presentations with the Wolf Conservation Center.
- Tiltify Partner — Platform used to facilitate peer-to-peer fundraising for the Wolf Conservation Center.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Government — Partnership through participation in the Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program for red and Mexican gray wolves.
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service Government — Partner in federal recovery and release programs for red and Mexican gray wolves.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Captive Breeding and Release as Conservation Actionmethodology: captive_breeding_and_releaseBy combining captive breeding with release programs, the organization promotes wolf recovery, because ex-situ breeding maintains genetic diversity and supports reestablishment of wild populations when paired with education and habitat protection.
- Emotional Engagement Through Individual Wolf Storiesmethodology: emotional_engagement_through_individual_storiesBy highlighting individual wolf personalities and familial bonds, the organization fosters emotional connections with the public, because affective engagement drives deeper concern, sustained attention, and greater support for conservation than factual messaging alone.
- Non-Invasive Wildlife Educationmethodology: non_invasive_wildlife_educationBy conducting all educational programs without physical contact with wolves, the organization prioritizes animal safety and ethical integrity, because minimizing human interference reinforces conservation values and models respectful coexistence.
- Species-Based Environmental Educationmethodology: species_based_environmental_educationBy using ambassador wolves as a focal species, the organization teaches broader lessons about ecological balance, biodiversity, and human stewardship, because charismatic keystone species create relatable entry points for public learning and behavior change.