Cookies calm Audubon Society crowd
COEUR d'ALENE - The typical meeting of the Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society sees about 30 people or so.
It's generally a quiet affair, with talk about birds, of course, and field trips, a project outline about the "Long-billed Curlew" and results of the latest sighting of the "Bar-tailed Godwits."
Tuesday's meeting had a bit of a different air to it. So many showed up, around 100, it was standing-room only at the Lutheran Church of the Master.
Audubon Society members were a little worried, even, there might be trouble.
So, why all the fuss?
One word.
Wolves.
Jim Hayden, regional wildlife manager of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, talked about the recent history and management of wolves in North Idaho during the meeting of the Coeur d'Alene Chapter of the National Audubon Society.
His program was called "Navigating the Oceans of Emotions: The Management of Wolves in Northern Idaho."
Board member Lynn Sheridan admitted she and others were a touch nervous there might be some yelling, some temper and some protests. This wasn't their usual agenda item.
"We were a little concerned," she said Wednesday.
No reason to be, in the end.
Emotions stayed in check during the meeting - perhaps thanks to handshakes and cookies.
"People wonderfully behaved," Sheridan said.
Phil Cooper, Idaho Fish and Game Department conservation officer, agreed.
"It went well," he said.
Sheridan and other Audubon Society members took extra time to greet everyone with a smile and offered them cookies, too, along with information about what exactly it is they do.
There was one rule they were ready to enforce but didn't need to: No signs allowed.
Everyone was relaxed and in a good mood. No one - pro- or anti-wolf - shouted down the speaker, objected or demanded equal time. No one threatened to shoot a wolf and no one vowed to protect one, either.
There were lots of questions, though, Sheridan said, which is expected for a controversial subject.
"Everybody was so calm," she said.
Just keep the cookies coming.