How wolves change rivers
The return of the wolves to Yellowstone and the phenomenon of the trophic cascade inspire my projects.

"The wolf, who performs a vital function in the ecosystem is guided by its own nature. The wolf simply is. He never tries to be what he is not." Susan Imhoff Bird

The Trophic Cascade Since the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, the phenomenon of trophic cascade has also been observed and studied in Yellowstone. With the disappearance of the last wolf in 1926, the elk population increased dramatically. This led not only to overgrazing but also to the endangerment of aspen and poplar trees. Since the elk could graze freely even in the most secluded areas without fearing an attack from wolves, plant populations were unable to develop anywhere. The vegetation along riverbanks also declined significantly, drastically reducing biodiversity in these areas. Beavers, certain bird species, and amphibians struggled to find suitable habitats. In the absence of predation pressure from wolves, the coyote population also increased, causing a severe decline in pronghorns, hares, and other small rodents. For decades, humans attempted to restore the natural balance, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. It was only when the wolves returned that nature began to visibly recover.

The Elk Knew Instinctively How to Protect Themselves. Elk instinctively knew how to protect themselves from attacks and preferred locations with a clear view. In the areas they avoided, aspen trees soon grew to heights of up to 15 feet. More willows and poplars also provided building materials for beavers again. Their lodges and dams created habitats for small mammals, birds, fish, and countless insect species. Bears benefited from a richer supply of berries and herbs, allowing them to maintain a more balanced diet, while foxes and birds of prey found sufficient food again due to the decline in coyotes.

Since wolves hunt in the open, unlike mountain lions and other predators, their kills are more accessible to other carnivores. Although hunting is often life-threatening for them, wolves frequently leave their prey behind for short periods. During their absence, ravens, birds of prey, bears, foxes, and coyotes gather to feed. On average, half of a wolf’s kill is consumed by other valley inhabitants. While the wolf population initially grew from 20 to 180 individuals due to the abundance of food, it has since stabilized between 90 and 100 wolves in Yellowstone.

Since the return of wolves, a natural recovery process has been observed, supported by research across multiple disciplines. Over the past 23 years, during which wolves have once again roamed Yellowstone, the balance of nature has been restored.

The story of the wolves in Yellowstone and the balance of the trophic cascade form the foundation of my projects. For more information, feel free to contact me at: jana.malin@mythoswolf.com

PROJECT: WILD LIFE

Hunting-Free Ecosystems

The goal is to create a safe refuge for wildlife in order to strengthen their populations and explore ecological self-regulation. With a “WILD LIFE” sponsorship, you can help secure your own protected area.

Key Aspects of the Project

I’m incredibly excited to introduce you to our project “WILD LIFE”: What happens when wild animals are truly left in peace?
Since April 1, 2025, a very special place has been taking shape in the Lusatian Lake District: 1,200 hectares of nature where wild animals can live free from hunting pressure and human disturbance. That alone is a fantastic goal — calming habitats so animals regain trust and begin to display their natural behaviors again. 

But this project goes even further: We are researching how a formerly hunted area changes when human interference comes to an end. When will deer become active during the day again? How are reproduction rates affected? What does this mean for the development of individual species? And how does it impact us humans when we meet wild animals at eye level again? 

Model Character:
The goal is to develop a transferable model for smaller protected areas that allows wildlife observation and creates sustainable impulses for self-regulating ecosystems. 

Naturschutzgroßprojekt Lausitzer Seenland gGmbH

Project Holder: Dr. Alexander Harter – Development, documentation, guided tours, and regional information.
Project Director: Dr. Jana Malin – Research, exhibitions, public relations, and project-related information.

Hunting-free from April 1, 2025
Information and donations for the project: Hunting-Free Ecosystems
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: jana.malin@mythoswolf.com

PROJECT: WOLF AND MAN

When asked what image first comes to mind when they think of wolves, 45.6% of respondents answered with characteristics and appearance related to wolves (pack animal, predator, resembling a German Shepherd, ancestor of dogs, strong, beautiful animal, face, eyes, and more). 17.2% associate wolves with nature, wilderness, freedom. 16.2% connect wolves with fairy tales, with 9.8% of those mentioning Little Red Riding Hood. Children are still raised with these stories. While some children between the ages of 3 and 4 may still react with complete fear to wolves, children aged 9 to 13 are surprisingly well-informed about wolves.

WOLF . PERCEPTION . INTERPRETATION
A study of visual impact

The leitmotif in this project is the wolf. It can look back on a long history of stimulating human imagination and helping to shape cultures like no other animal. It shaped the religious and mystical imagination of many high cultures and today it returns to our forests as a wild, barely visible creature.

How art can influence our perception of the wolf

The images were displayed in 10 organisations in Germany and Austria, over a timeframe of several weeks. 45 interviews and about 120 conversations took place about the images and the wolf.

[...] And even though the wolf is a rather difficult topic and highly controversial in public discussions, where emotions sometimes run high, 39 of the 45 interview partners had a good time gazing at the image. "When I walk by, I'm happy". “I always leave the door open so I can see him.” “The longer I look at him, the more alive he becomes". "He is like a window to the wilderness". "Very mystical". "There's something calming and respectful about him". "Cosy". "Relaxed aura". "Connect him with leisure". "Would like to hug him". "Has a calming effect".

Five people were not bothered by the picture, but they did not engage with it further. One woman felt as though she was being watched, and this made her uncomfortable over time.

[...] The wolf was particularly at home in rest areas, in busy corridors and at the entrance. The image was also called a "window to the wilderness" or a "view into nature". In these areas, people stopped again and again or even enjoyed their coffee together with the wolf peacefully.

And the company or organization as a location for art has another decisive advantage: time. In museums, people usually spend less than a minute looking at a single piece of artwork, and most spend no more than five seconds. Here, the images were integrated into the daily work routine. With longer and more frequent viewing we can discover more details and the meaning of the image can change.
"He has become more familiar to me over time". "It has almost taken on human traits". If you walk past it often, you still notice it, but you don't actively engage with it any more". "It changes by becoming something familiar".

[...] Art is also a good way to have conversations. A managing director had placed this wolf directly in his office and wanted to establish it as a symbol for community in the company. He had over 80 conversations about the wolf and how the picture was made. He said“. "I am quite sure that I have made many people think. But now they need a little time to integrate the "new wolf" into their previous forms of socialisation and ways of thinking".

Presentation: Pathways22 in the Netherlands:
How Art can influence our Perception of the Wolf. (ab min. 13)

PROJECT: HABITATS

Artistic Symbols for a Litter-Free Forest

The Consequences of Illegal Waste Disposal in Forests:
"The greatest dangers come from construction debris, batteries, electronic devices, and painted scrap wood. All of these contain chemical components or toxic substances. Asbestos, lead, oils, or coolants can seep into the forest soil with the help of rain and eventually reach the groundwater. This poses a threat to plants, animals, and humans alike." (Forestry in Germany)

This project aims to create lasting changes in waste disposal practices.
Nature Art installations symbolize areas that have been cleared of waste and serve to establish a psychological barrier against further littering. Even minimalistic artistic elements—such as symbols, faces, or floral formations—can have a significant impact. A scientific study accompanied the initiative to evaluate its effectiveness.
Projektträger: Naturschutzgroßprojekt Lausitzer Seenland gemeinnützige GmbH 
Veranstalter: Jana Malin, Naturschutzgroßprojekt Lausitzer Seenland gemeinnützige GmbH
Bei Fragen kontaktieren Sie mich gerne unter: jana.malin@mythoswolf.com

Gefördert von der Sächsischen Landesstiftung für Natur und Umwelt:
Projektzeitraum: März 2023 bis September 2024

WOLFKODEX - Let Wolves inspire your life

Wolves live in an environment that forgives nothing. With rivers and mountains that change every day. With dangers and uncertainty about when they will eat next. Yet whenever a wolf appears, it exudes alertness and motivation with a presence that few can resist. But what gives wolves this confidence, this seemingly innate knowledge that they will ultimately succeed? One of their secrets lies in play.

Years of observation have led to the creation of the WOLF CODEX. Images and observations depict the Lamar pack in Yellowstone National Park facing their daily challenges. With their adaptability and relentless perseverance, wolves take on tasks that are often larger than themselves.

Much of their lives unfold in secrecy. But when wolves suddenly appear, they astonish with unpredictable behaviors. Each wolf, whether alpha or yearling, writes its own story.

"Let Wolves inspire your life" can be booked as a lecture or as an art event.
The 10 commandments of a wolf's life have now also been published as a book: WOLFKODEX
Feel free to contact me for more information: jana.malin@mythoswolf.com

Wild Wolves - by the rules of nature

„"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." Albert Einstein.

Wilderness still holds the last secret for us. Every moment holds something unpredictable. Challenges hardly anyone can masters better than wolves. They are in balance with their environment, and thus can give us a new perspective on the world.

Publications

WOLFKODEX - Mit den Augen der Wölfe. Jana Malin, 2024. ISBN-13: 9798884961807 Buch bestellen
How Art can influence our Perception of the Wolf. Pathways22 in the Netherlands. Manuscript
of the Presentation. Deutsch/Englisch. Jana Malin, 2022. ISBN-13: 978-3-9820673-1-5.
Wölfe in Österreich - Ein Stimmungsbild. Jana Malin, 2021.
Wölfe. Die Kunst der Leichtigkeit. Jana Malin, 2019. In Abenteuer Philosophie. Nr. 158 (4/2019).
Spitfire – Momentaufnahmen aus dem Leben einer Leitwöflin. Jana Malin, 2019. ISBN-13: 978-3-9820673-0-8.
Wolfkodex. Erwarte das Unerwartete. Jana Malin, 2014. In Abenteuer Philosophie. Die Kunst zu leben, Ausg. 3.
Wölfe. Die Leichtigkeit des Seins in seiner härtesten Form. Jana Malin, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-3-200-02950-7. Vergriffen.