Julian beer ops Brew for Wolves

The California Wolf Center (CWC), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery of wolves in the wild for more than 45 years, is going big this year for Wolf Awareness Week (October 15-21) and San Diegans of all ages are invited to get involved.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act and the cornerstone of CWC’s participation in the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Mexican Gray Wolf program. To commemorate this important milestone in wildlife conservation, CWC be hosting a series of special events, tours and collaborations.

CWC has partnered with local hotels, breweries and restaurants to launch new wolf-themed craft beers and opportunities to support CWC’s wolf conservation efforts by dining-and-imbibing for the wolves. CWC will also be hosting Howl-O-Ween tours for the whole family on October 28 and 29.

The CWC in Julian is a one-of-a-kind conservation, education and research facility, currently home to 29 wolves in six packs, including four Northwestern Gray Wolves and 25 Mexican Gray Wolves, the most endangered wolf sub-species and one of the rarest land mammals on earth.

In honor of the boutique hotel brand’s recently debuted Noble Wolf Pilsner, Noble House Hotels & Resorts’ San Diego properties, including Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, Kona Kai San Diego, L’Auberge Del Mar and San Diego Mission Bay Resort, have partnered with CWC to donate a portion of beer sales to support ongoing conservation, education and awareness efforts. Also as part of the new “Brew for Wolves” initiative, Nickel Beer Co. and Julian Beer Co., both located in Julian, will be partnering with CWC, to brew and name a unique beer in conjunction with Wolf Awareness Week. A percentage of proceeds from beer sales will support the work at CWC.

Wolf Awareness Week Programs & Collaborations will also include…

• October 13, 5 p.m.: CWC will be at the San Diego Natural History Museum for Secret Society of Adultologists: Old Hollywood, a unique 21+ after-hours party for natural lovers in Balboa Park.
• October 15, 1 p.m.: CWC Visitor Center & Nature Store: Presentation/event to kick off Wolf Awareness Week with a County Proclamation from District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson’s office, followed by a special showing of “Surviving Lies: Reintroducing the Mexican Gray Wolf,” a documentary created by Chapman University student that was filmed at CWC.
• October 17, noon: Education Webinar: Wolf Myths and Legends. CWC will dive into historic wolf legends and more contemporary wolf myths from around the world.
• October 18, 10:30 a.m.: Julian Public Library – Children’s Book/Art Activity, “Full Moon Pups.”
• October 22, 1 p.m.: CWC Visitor Center & Nature Store: Second Showing of “Surviving Lies: Reintroducing the Mexican Gray Wolf” documentary.
• Round Up for Wolves: San Diego-based, wolf-themed restaurants, Wolf in the Woods and Kindred will invite guests to “Round Up for Wolves” by adding a donation to their bill. All donations will be directed to CWC during Wolf Awareness Week.
• Sponsor a Wolf: October is a great month to Sponsor a Wolf. Several of CWC’s resident wolves are awaiting their perfect name.
• California Wolf Center Visitor Center & Nature Store: Shoppers will receive a special in-store gift with purchase in honor of Wolf Awareness Week.

The wolf fun will continue beyond Wolf Awareness Week with CWC’s third annual Howl-o-Ween. These family-friendly specialty tours of the CWC Conservation Facility will be offered on October 28 and 29. Ambassador wolves will be treated to special Halloween-themed enrichment items like pumpkins, all in a fun, spooky setting. Costumes are welcome and add to the fun.