Geos 220 Writing Assignment Re-introduction of the Mexican Gray Wolf in the Southwest

Writing Assignment

Schedule for Fall 2025:

• October 2: Start researching (reading, lots) to have citable sources and images
• October 16: Sentences, each with a citation and an image, due through D2L; a narrative script will be compiled from everyone's sentences
• October 28: Gather in-person in class to read and record as a group a voice over for a single video
• October 30: Final editing of the single video, in person in class
• October 30: (optional): If time permits, in-class: Short film on Seton's wolf and open discussion on wolf reintroduction

Plan of action:

• First, research (read material) on the background and the pros and cons of the re-introduction of the Mexican wolf to the American Southwest. This wolf web suite is a good start. From these readings create one specific sentence for each of Paul's Paragraphs listed below. For each of your sentences, include the citation and an image that illustrates the point.
  • How many references to read? A lot.
  • Don't overcite any one source. Expect to cite any given source just one time. Perhaps an exception to this can be the article by Schoenecker and Shaw, which might be cited twice.
  • This compilation of sentences (each with a source and an image) is worth 100 points, graded primarily on scholarship, i.e., amount of research.
• Second, using your exact sentences, I will compile a narration script that we will all read and record together in class, Oct. 28. Minor editing of the audio track will be done then as well.
• Third, using the images you supply, we will produce a single class video together in class using my laptop. No need to download the video software yourself and mastering video editing on your own.
• This video is worth 100 points, graded on your level of participation in this group collaboration.

Paul's Paragraphs

You read sources and create a single sentence for each of these paragraph topic sentences (in italics), with topic suggestions provided here (E.g.,). Find an image to illustrate each of your sentences):

1. The Mexican gray wolf has long inhabited forests of the American Southwest.
   E.g., range map, evidence in sediments, Pleistocene-Holocene, historical records.
2. However, beginning in the early 1900s, the wolf was eliminated from the American Southwest.
   E.g., government-run predator control programs, shooting, trapping, poisoning, denning, last one seen in the wild in the 1960s, NOT a case of nature taking its course.
3. Lo and behold, in the 1970s, there was a change of heart in America (the Endangered Species Act).
   E.g., species should be saved from extinction, habitats must be preserved, it's the law.
4. The reintroduction of the Mexican gray wolf started in 1998.
   E.g., captive wolves released, where (maps), how (pictures).
5. Many arguments are made against the reintroduction of the wolf into the American Southwest
   E.g., ranching losses from wolves attacking cows, threat to human safety, no logical reason to bring back a predator, reduction of elk hunting, expensive.
6. On the other hand, arguments are made in favor of reintroducing the wolf into the American Southwest.
   E.g., ways exist to minimize ranching losses, wolves rarely if ever attack people, top-down predator regulation of ecosystem form and function, elk hunting has not been impacted
7. Through it all, common ground is achievable between the two sides.
   E.g., Compensate ranchers for losses, protect people and wolves from interactions, multi-agency cooperation, management and monitoring.
8. Ultimately, reintroduction of the wolf to the American Southwest should continue.
   E.g., it's the law (Endangered Species Act), it can be done safely, it's ecologically sound, it worked in Yellowstone, we're up to almost 300 wolves by now (no turning back).

Wolf Re-introduction Home Page

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