The materials in this collection date from 1830-2010, with the bulk of material from 1957-1999. The few items that date to earlier than the mid-1950s are largely related to Isle Royale, and were likely collected as background research before this ecological study began. This collection documents much of the administrative and research aspects of the Ecological Studies of Wolves on Isle Royale (also referred to as the wolf-moose project) while under the direction of both Durward L. Allen and Rolf O. Peterson, covering the full time periods for each of their durations as head of the project. Few materials are from John A. Vucetich, who began co-directing the project with Peterson in 2003. Research topics focus on wolves and moose, but include topics such as vegetation, birds, and small mammals. While most materials relate to Isle Royale, associated research in other geographical locations is also included.

The collection consists of materials largely created, collected and used by Allen and Peterson, but also contains substantial data files, field notes, reports, and manuscripts created and written by students, research assistants and field technicians on the project. These include Ronald L. Bell, Thomas Bradner, John A. Coble, James M. Dietz, Peter A. Jordan, John C. Keeler, L. David Mech, Kenneth Risenhoover, Larry J. Roop, Joseph M. Scheidler, Philip C. Shelton, Philip W. Stephens, John D. Vanada, and Michael L. Wolfe among others. Other members of the project are also included, like filmmaker George Desort and pilot Don Murray. This collection is comprised of a variety of formats: correspondence, financial documents, dissertations, manuscripts, annual reports, data collection files, field notes, books, magazines, newspaper articles, journal articles, brochures, press releases, newsletters, field guides, photographic prints, negatives, and slides, microfiche, maps, transparencies, and various magnetic and optical media (18 VHS, 2 videocassettes, 4 DVDs, 6 DVD-Rs, 1 3 ½” and 1 5 ½” floppy disk).

Administrative aspects are documented mainly through the correspondence of Allen and Peterson and through grant proposals and applications, as well as through expense reports, supply orders, travel records, personnel documents, and subject files concerning Isle Royale. These materials give significant insight into the funding of this study over half a century and the logistics of carrying out research in a remote location.

Research aspects of the project are documented through background resources, data collection files, field notes, digital files on floppy disks, hand-drawn and computer-rendered maps, charts, and graphs, as well as published maps and visual documentation in the form of photographic prints, negatives, slides, and video footage. The field notes comprise a significant portion of these files, with 169 notebooks from 25 different researchers, dating from 1960-2009.

The project’s research is further documented through both published and unpublished forms of research output including manuscripts, theses and dissertations, presentation materials, reports and publications. Publication formats include books, newspaper articles, journal articles, magazines, press releases, newsletters, brochures, field guides, and produced videos and DVDs. These publications are generally written by a researcher on the project or are about or related to the wolf-moose project. Annual reports are extant from 1958-2010, including some original copies and preparation files, providing a summary of each year’s research findings as well as information on personnel and funding for the year.

Other materials in the collection document a more personal side of the project, largely through Peterson’s personal correspondence, correspondence between Allen and Peterson, a file of fan letters to Allen for the film Wolf-Men, a file on Allen’s memorial service, photos of people, and publications about those working on the wolf-moose project.