Shasta County supervisors voted unanimously to add a new “Wildlife Liaison” position to the county staff, a move aimed at helping ranching families protect their livestock from the growing presence of gray wolves in northern California.
Local solution for a regional problem
Supervisor Corkey Harmon, who has dealt with wolf issues throughout his tenure, said the role will serve as a direct point of contact between livestock producers, wildlife agencies and government officials. The position will focus on wildlife monitoring, conflict mitigation, information sharing and support for ranchers, while also advancing California’s broader wildlife recovery goals.
County Senior Administrative Analyst Bryce Ritchie explained that the “Wildlife Liaison” title was chosen to cover other species that occasionally cause conflict, such as bears and spotted owls. Funding for the role is expected to come from a $5 million allocation in the state budget that was approved earlier this month to assist ranchers dealing with wolf attacks.
State and federal steps to aid ranchers
The California legislature’s budget bill earmarks half of the new funding to compensate livestock owners when gray wolves kill animals, and the other half for wolf‑management activities, including investigations, collaring and activity assessments. Senator Megan Dahle, a supporter of the bill, said the legislation provides a solid legal foundation for a compensation program and outlines coexistence guidelines that have succeeded in other states.
On the federal level, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 4 directing agencies to review the Endangered Species Act protections for gray and Mexican wolves. If the review leads to delisting or downlisting, ranchers could eventually obtain depredation permits that allow lethal control of wolves that prey on livestock.
Ranchers’ concerns and practical measures
Ranching families in Shasta County rely on their animals for a livelihood, and recent data show 196 confirmed wolf attacks on livestock across California in 2025. While some critics argue that removing protections would endanger the recovering wolf population, many ranchers favor practical, non‑lethal tools such as guard dogs and fencing. “Smart ranchers coexist with wolves by using commonsense measures like guard dogs and fencing,” said Collette Adkins of the Center for Biological Diversity, though she also warned that delisting could spark legal battles.
Supervisor Harmon emphasized that he does not support illegal killing of wolves, but he acknowledges the urgency of providing ranchers with effective, lawful options to protect their herds.
Next steps
The county will seek state funding for the Wildlife Liaison role, and if state funds are unavailable, alternative sources will be explored. The position’s classification now allows the county to apply for grants and other financial support.
President Trump’s executive order and the state’s new funding package together represent a coordinated effort to balance wildlife conservation with the economic realities of family farms—a core concern for the traditional families that form the backbone of Shasta County.
Original reporting: Shasta Scout (Redding) — read the source article.
