The State Department of Fish and Wildlife has scheduled three online, interactive webinars this September and October to discuss planning and management for wolf populations once they are no longer listed as endangered in the state.

“We know that wolves are a huge topic of interest to the public and we want to hear everyone’s input, in a respectful and productive way, on how to manage them,” said Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind. “These digital open houses will allow anyone who is interested to learn about Washington’s wolves, ask questions, and find out how to provide feedback on the topic.”

The webinars will take the place of several open houses scheduled across the state, including one in Montesano on Aug. 30. Those public forums were canceled after the Department of Fish and Wildlife received information indicating they could be disrupted, “possibly creating an unsafe environment for the public participating,” said Susewind.

The exact nature of the information that led to the cancellations is not being made public by the department, nor are the sources or any other details of that information, said Fish and Wildlife Public Affairs and Community Outreach Director Carrie McCausland.

“We’re not releasing a lot of details,” she said. “Ultimately we didn’t feel we’d get the public feedback we’re looking for” at the open houses.

While public comment won’t be accepted during the webinars, the department said Wednesday “the goal is to both educate about wolves and share ways that people can voice their thoughts” to the department concerning world management. That input will help to inform the State Environmental Policy Act process that will be used to develop a post-recovery plan for wolves.

The dates for the interactive webinars are:

• Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6-7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Sept. 25, 12-1 p.m.

• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6-7:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to take part in these webinars. They can be accessed on the Fish and Wildlife website — wdfw.wa.gov — and clicking on a link there.

Fish and Wildlife is also accepting comments via an online survey, online commenting, and in writing by mailing to Lisa Wood, WDFW-Wolf Post-Recovery Plan Scoping, PO Box 43200, Olympia WA 98504-3200.

“This is an important topic that many people are passionate about and we want ideas on how to find a balance where wolves can coexist with people, livestock, and other wildlife,” Susewind added.

The public scoping comment period remains open until Nov. 1. The development of this plan is a multi-year effort and, as wolf management options begin to take shape, there will be further opportunities to engage with agency staff, according to the department.