named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Animal Sponsorship Program
Allows individuals to sponsor named animals such as Cayuga and Tamarack, supporting their care while receiving updates and recognition
Environmental Education Programs
Provides structured educational programming for school groups and the public on canid biology, ecosystem roles, and human-wildlife coexistence
Guided and Self-Guided Tours
Offers docent-led and self-guided tours of animal habitats featuring gray wolves, eastern coyotes, arctic foxes, and other canid species, with educational commentary on behavior and ecology
Howl Nights
Special event program where visitors learn about wolf communication and participate in a simulated pack howl
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Wildlife Monitoring and Field Research 2 activities
- Behavioral research on captive canidsConducted a five-and-a-half-year observational study of captive eastern coyotes to understand pack behaviors, social structures, and feeding patterns, generating factual data used to support public education on human-coyote coexistence.
- Wild canid breeding and population managementEngages in managed breeding of gray wolves and participates in pup exchanges with other facilities, such as Wolf Park in Indiana, to introduce new genetic lines and support conservation and population management across multiple institutions.
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Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
- Advocacy and outreachConducts advocacy and outreach at zoos, colleges, libraries, and interest group meetings to promote understanding and coexistence with wild canids.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Educational programming on wild canidsProvides educational programs about gray wolves, eastern coyotes, and Arctic foxes through guided and self-guided tours, on-site docents, exhibits, and special events such as Howl Nights, where visitors learn about wolf communication and participate in a pack howl. These programs aim to foster public appreciation and shift perceptions of wild canids.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Environmental and facility developmentUndertakes capital improvements including expanding animal habitats, remodeling the gift shop, planting approximately one thousand trees and shrubs, expanding forested hiking trails, and creating a Memorial Garden to enhance visitor experience and support conservation messaging.
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Animal Welfare Fundraising Events 1 activity
- Fundraising and public support initiativesHosts periodic fundraiser days and sells annual calendars featuring photos of wolves, arctic foxes, red foxes, and coyotes to generate financial support for animal care and center operations.
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Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release 1 activity
- Rescue, sanctuary, and care of wild canidsRescues and provides lifelong sanctuary for wild canids including Alaskan Tundra wolves, Eurasian wolf puppies, and eastern coyotes, offering specialized care, socialization, and integration into appropriate habitats. Animals in care receive species-appropriate diets, large naturalistic enclosures with enrichment features, and seasonal enrichment such as frozen treats.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$154K
Contributions & grants$122K79%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$250%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$68K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$259K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$242K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +77.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 1
- ERIN LORD-ASTLES — DIRECTOR
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- B. Palmer Electric Partner — Donated time and labor to dig trenches and install electric lines for animal food freezers.
- Gilligan's Ice Cream Partner — Periodically hosts fundraiser days for the Wolf Mountain Nature Center.
- Heritage Logging Partner — Removed several massive trees from along fence lines at the center.
- Holy Shirt Custom Apparel Partner — Designs shirts and caps for the Wolf Mountain Nature Center.
- Jesse Jackson Partner — Performed excavation and drainage work for the animal food prep building and water well.
- Lakota Wolf Preserve in New Jersey Partner — Received two black phase pups from Wolf Mountain Nature Center in 2019 as part of breeding and population management efforts.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Regulates and licenses the center.
- SUNY ESF Partner — Collaborates by directing the public to SUNY ESF's website for detailed regional research on Eastern coyotes.
- United States Department of Agriculture Government — Regulates and licenses the center.
- Wolf Park in Indiana Partner — Exchanged wolf pups with Wolf Mountain Nature Center in 2017 to support genetic diversity in breeding packs.
strategies · 6
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.
- Behavior-Based Education 181 orgsmethodology: behavior-based_educationBy using direct observation of animal behaviors as the foundation for educational programming, we produce objective learning and foster appreciation of native wild canids, because experiential engagement increases credibility and emotional connection more than abstract instruction.shared approach: Experiential Engagement for Stewardship →
- Coexistence Advocacy Through Narrative Shift 181 orgsmethodology: coexistence_advocacyBy advocating for coexistence and emphasizing human responsibility in shared environments, we change public perception of coyotes from pests to cohabitants, because reframing the narrative around mutual responsibility reduces conflict and supports long-term wildlife conservation.shared approach: Experiential Engagement for Stewardship →
- Environmental Enrichment for Natural Behavior Expression 181 orgsmethodology: environmental_enrichmentBy designing enclosures with agility challenges, water features, and foraging opportunities, we support fox well-being and promote natural behaviors, because species-appropriate environments reduce stress and enhance physical and psychological health in captive animals.shared approach: Experiential Engagement for Stewardship →
- Genetic Diversity Management in Captive Populations 181 orgsmethodology: genetic_diversity_managementBy conducting strategic pup exchanges with other facilities, we maintain genetic diversity in breeding populations, because managed gene flow prevents inbreeding and supports long-term species viability in conservation programs.shared approach: Experiential Engagement for Stewardship →
- Experiential Education for Attitude Changemethodology: experiential_educationBy providing direct exposure to live coyotes—including observation and vocalization—we shift negative public attitudes toward coexistence, because immersive, sensory experiences create empathy and challenge stereotypes more effectively than informational messaging alone.
- Intrinsic-Value Educationmethodology: intrinsic-value_educationBy emphasizing the intrinsic value and ecological roles of wild canids, we cultivate appreciation and stewardship, because understanding species as integral to natural systems fosters ethical responsibility and long-term conservation support.