New York Needs Better Data to Protect Wolves – Act Now!

By: Rewilding

June 5, 2025

There are only a few days left of the New York legislative session, and wolves need your help now!

Together with partners in New York, the Rewilding Institute has been hard at work to advance a bill that will provide greater protections for wolves in New York State by enabling the Department of Environmental Conservation to collect critical genetic data from large canids taken by hunters and trappers. We have been successful in getting the bill introduced in both the New York State Senate (S.5402B/Hoylman-Sigal) and the New York State Assembly (A.1229B/Carroll), and last week we were successful in getting the bill reported out of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee.

For more background on the bill, read “New Bill Introduced to Protect Wolves in New York.”

How You Can Help Right Now

1. Email Key Legislators
   Use the sample messages provided below, personalized with your name and town to make the message more compelling.
2. Contact Senate & Assembly Leaders
   Target members of the Senate Rules Committee and Assembly Leadership who can move the bills forward. Below are key contacts and suggested subject lines.

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Suggested Email Subject Lines

• Protect Wolves in New York – Support S.5402B/A.1229B
• Support Wildlife Science: Pass S.5402B and A.1229B
• NY Needs Better Data to Protect Wolves – Act Now

Contact These Senate Members (for S.5402B)

• Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins – Senate Majority Leader
  Email: sc******@******te.gov
• Senator Michael Gianaris – Deputy Majority Leader
  Email: gi******@******te.gov
• Senator Liz Krueger – Rules Committee Chair
  Email: kr*****@******te.gov

📧 Sample Message to Senate:

Subject: Please Advance S.5402B to Protect Wolves in New York

Dear Senator [Name],

I am writing to urge that S.5402B (Hoylman-Sigal) be placed on the Senate Rules Committee agenda as soon as possible. This bill enables the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to collect genetic data from coyotes and wolves taken by hunters and trappers.

This vital information will help assess the status of wolves in New York, with minimal impact on sportsmen. Hunters and trappers are already subject to similar reporting requirements for other species.

S.5402B is a science-based step toward protecting New York’s biodiversity. Please support moving this bill forward for a floor vote.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name] [Your City/Town], NY

🏛️Contact These Assembly Members (for A.1229B)

• Assemblymember Carl Heastie – Speaker of the Assembly
  Email: sp*****@********ly.gov
• Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow Chair, Ways and Means
  Email: pr*****@********ly.gov
• Assemblymember Deborah Glick – Chair, Environmental Conservation
  Email: gl****@********ly.gov

Sample Message to Assembly:

Subject: Support A.1229B – Essential Wildlife Bill

Dear Assembly Member [Name],

I respectfully urge that A.1229B (Carroll) be placed on the Assembly Ways and Means Committee agenda for a vote. This bill authorizes the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to collect genetic data from large wild canids taken by hunters and trappers, aiding in the accurate identification of wolves and coyotes in our state.

This initiative has no impact on hunting seasons or bag limits. It is a necessary and low-cost way to ensure informed wildlife policy. Please support this important conservation measure.

Thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name] [Your City/Town], NY

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📣 Spread the Word

• Share this message on social media.
• Ask your friends and family in New York to send emails too.