Family Fun Alert: Howling Wolf Festival on Sunday

In their biggest hit, "How Will the Wolf Survive," the band Los Lobos didn't consciously reference the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, but the allusions are relevant.

Founded in 1999 by classical pianist Helene Grimaud and photographer J. Henry Fair, the center has fought to combat the negative stereotype of wolves by emphasizing the animals' more nurturing nature and their pivotal role in the ecosystem. It spreads the word to around ten thousand people a year, including schoolchildren.

"Out west, wolves and ranchers are in constant struggle and in popular culture you have the Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood, Peter and the Wolf, and The Three Little Pigs," said Debbie Heineman, the center's Executive Director. "But these depictions date to a time when there were lots of wolves out there that were in competition with farmers; many people are amazed to learn that wolves were almost completely eradicated in North America. Wolves don't kill for fun, they bring blalance to nature."

Though the center has successfully helped shape the perception of wolves in this area, the non-profit constantly seeks ways to generate revenue and holds a host of benefits throughout the year, including recitals by founder Grimaud and a restaurant tasting event at Waccabuc Country Club.

"It's a very horrible climate for non-profits, who have had to cut staff and slash salaries to keep from operating in the red, but luckily, we've been able to operate in the black every year during recession so far," said Heineman.

This weekend, the center will be the beneficiary of a musical concert featuring a half-dozen performers, including Pat Wictor, the YaYas and Hope Machine. Also appearing will be Atka, one of the center's ambassador wolves, who makes appearances before audiences and helps spread awareness of the wolves' plight at the hands of sport hunters and ranchers out west.  

Center representatives hoped the concert would support efforts to build a new education center, adding to the recently received $300,000 grant from the state. The proposed construction site is the Leon Levy Preserve, just down the road from the current property, which is leased from the center's founders.

The Lewisboro Ledger reports that proposal may be in jeopardy, however, over the threat of legal action from the Westchester Land Trust and the Jerome Levy Foundation, which says the plan would violate a conservation easement over the preserve.

The center seems to attract well-wishers, since concerned animal-lovers often appear out of the blue and express a desire to help the center, like local music lover Denise Mackin, who spearheaded this weekend's benefit concert.

"She just came to us and said she'd like to put something together," said Heinman. "It happens all the time. Once people find out about the center, they tend to get excited about it and want to help. We're very grateful for their efforts." 

The concert is produced by Common Ground Community Concerts, based in Yonkers, which supports positive causes. In October, they will present a concert to benefit the United Way of Westchester and Putnam. And, since the organization's founding in 2002, they have raised over $20,000 for local charities, including Midnight Run in Dobbs Ferry and the Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers.

Five years ago, moreover, they started the Common Ground Microcredit Fund, which distributes donations and low-interest loans ranging from $500 for Just Food, a group in New York City that brings healthy, sustainable food to underserved populations, to $5,000 to assist families in New Iberia, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina.

Howling Wolf Family Folk Festival, Lewisboro Town Park, To Benefit The Wolf Conservation Center will be held Sunday Sept. 19 from 1pm - 5pm with musical Performances by Dan and Luca, The YaYas, The Blue Mothers, Pat Wictor, Matt Turk, Hope Machine. Special Appearance by Atka the Wolf. Free Admission with a
suggested donation of $15/person, $25/family. Canned goods for the Community Center of Northern Westchester will be collected. Presented by Common Ground Community Concerts.