Conference History

The North American Wolf Conference began 20 years ago in northwestern Montana as a small interagency wolf recovery meeting, hosted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. As wolves were restored to Yellowstone and central Idaho, the meeting became an annual regional conference, co-sponsored by the Wolf Recovery Foundation, which continued to grow in scope as new participants attended from across North America, and often included guest presenters from Europe and Asia.

In 1999, Defenders of Wildlife became an official co-sponsor and assumed much of the duties from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for organizing this annual event. Due to the conference's origins, it has traditionally been held in the USA northern Rockies, near the outskirts of beautiful Yellowstone National Park, world renowned for its wildlife watching opportunities.

In April, the Park hosts a wide diversity of native flora and fauna and is home to wolves, elk, bison, grizzly and black bear, moose, eagles, swans, beaver and the largest concentration of geysers in the world. Participants are encouraged to explore the Park and the historic Chico Hot Springs Lodge and Resort, built in 1900, while learning more about wolves throughout North America.