The wolf is the only animal in the world that man has intentionally set out to eradicate, despite the fact that wolves are a key component of any ecosystem they inhabit. But while the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park demonstrated that the presence of wolf populations are beneficial both environmentally and economically, reintroduction and wolf preservation efforts remain unpopular due to public misconceptions and prejudices about wolves. And now, wolves are yet again in danger of being eliminated from regions that desperately need them to remain healthy and beautiful.

We at Shadowland Foundation believe that the best way to safeguard wolves from human aggression is to educate people. By dispelling the various popular myths and superstitions about wolves and by allowing people to encounter and interact with wolves up close, we hope to help people realize that wolves are actually majestic and complex creatures that need to be nurtured and protected. Led by our founder Paul Pondella, Shadowland Foundation has hand raised a pack of wolves for visitors to meet and interact with, allowing us to offer an in-person wolf experience along with one-of-a-kind educational programs. At Shadowland, you can meet our wolves inside their enclosure, pet them, feed them, take pictures with them, and see for yourself what wolves are really like.

 But for Shadowland Foundation to continue its work protecting these wolves and educating the public, we need to grow: literally. The ranch where our wolves live needs to expand, both to provide larger and better educational facilities for more people, and to give our wolves better and safe accommodations. At the moment all of our tours with the wolves take place in an outdoor enclosure; but because wolves are nocturnal and we have to protect their sensitive eyesight, they can only do one tour a week.

Our plan is to convert a 4000 square foot barn already on our property into an education center where people can meet our wolves in an area free of UV light (allowing for more visits and therefore more visitors getting to meet the wolves).  Our annual operating budget is $138,000, which goes to care for the wolves. This leaves effectively no extra funding to expand, which is why we have come to you here on Indiegogo to help make our dream of a larger educational facility possible.

We want to make Shadowland Foundation a place that touches the lives of millions of people and helps show them the sensitive majesty of the wolf. We already have a Wolves & Warriors outreach program for veterans, but with your help Shadowland can also expand our education programs to schools, and provide field trips for inner city, underprivileged, and special needs children and adults.

$10 perk:
Cities Of Ether Stories ebook anthology by renowned author G. D. Falksen, and a $5 gift card to Detroit Leather.

$25 perk:
All previous perks above, a Spirit Of The Wolf charm, and one mini wolf print.

$45 perk:
All previous perks above, 6 mini wolf prints, and a Pack Leader leather bracelet.

$75 perk:
All previous perks above, the Shadowland Wolf tee shirt (S-XL) design by artist Evelyn Kriete, and 6 additional mini wolf prints (total of 12).

How important is it to try and educate the public about wolves? Extremely important. Although wolves are on the Endangered Species List, members of Congress, the Department of the Interior, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service have succumbed to pressure by special interest groups to implement policies allowing the circumvention of ESL protection. In 2011, when wolves first lost their protection, more than 2600 wolves out of a population of only 5000 were killed in the first two years. Hunting season in 2015 began on August 31, and brutal methods like trapping, gassing, and the use of dogs (which were outlawed decades ago) have been reapproved to target wolves. Hunting season has been extended to kill pregnant females and to allow the poisoning of pups before they can reach adulthood, which will devastate entire packs.

Shadowland Foundation strives to educate the citizens of wolf hunting states, along with the general population, so that they realize both that the eradication of wolves is cruel and unnecessary, and also that the loss of wolves is harmful to the states they formerly inhabited. In addition to ecological concerns, there is a financial matter at stake for these states. In 2010 in Yellowstone Park alone, almost a million and a half dollars was generated in eco-tourism, and almost half of this was attributed specifically to the presence of wolves. By educating people about wolves and the benefit they bring, we can make a difference.