Wolves have long elicited strong reactions, with opinions often hardened by story, work and politics. People tend to love wolves or hate them. And it’s why wolves can be the flashpoint that highlights geopolitical or regional differences. Yet the debate on the role of the wolf is largely one based on myth, misunderstanding and a lack of empathy – for wolves themselves and those who have to live with them.
Frustrated by the polarized nature of the issue, a high school student decided she needed to do her part to bridge the divide. In 2012, Story Warren launched Kids4Wolves to educate her peers and the public about these wild canids. She took a science-based approach, combing through data and reading research reports to help her separate fact and opinion. This led Story to eventually launching her own studies, tracking wolf packs in Washington State and beyond. She met with ranchers and advocates and policy makers from all sides of the issue and used empathy for differing perspectives as a tool to get her message out through social media. Kids4Wolves grew to a network of more than 20,000 and received accolades and awards, including from the White House. But that doesn’t mean her path has been easy.
Story spoke with us by Skype to help us better understand how to launch a good idea and explain why tackling an issue at the intersection of competing agendas just might mean getting caught in the crossfire.
What do you think?
- What are the personal – often mental health – consequences of youth leadership? Are we honest about them?
- Are those who advocate for and mentor young leaders doing enough to address the dark side of youth advocacy?
- Does society truly support young leaders, or only those who reinforce values and ideas that are totally without controversy?
- Is it only possible to take a stand for an issue if your stance reinforces the perspective shared by a strong community of advocates?
- Can young leaders offer new approaches to debates or will activist communities from both sides of a debate block different ideas? What does this say about the level of debate in our country and the state of civil society?
- How will you learn from Story’s story?