Can you believe that it has been FIFTY DAYS since Theodore Roosevelt National Park announced their plans to eliminate the ENTIRE herd of horses from the park?
It’s been quite the journey from there to here!
Theodore Roosevelt quotes and stories have been shared in personal letters and posts as well as through the press as we all fight to preserve the indelible mark that his time in North Dakota meant for him and what it has come to mean to each one of us.
“It was here that the romance of my life began.”
How many of you does that popular Theodore Roosevelt quote resonate with?
It resonates deeply with me.
When did it start? It’s so hard to answer that! It may have been with Teton. There was also Sweetheart. Maybe Cloud too. Probably a little bit of Flax. And then there was Granite’s Boy. He intrigued me. And then slowly you get to know, experience, and appreciate the differences in each one of these amazing horses.
There are no words to properly define the overwhelming feelings that run through you when you sit in the presence of wild horses. Peace. Freedom. Unbridled joy. Absolutely amazing strength. Unimaginable beauty.
Before you know it, you are in love.
In love with each horse. In love with the feelings you get being in their presence. In love with the park that they call home. In love with the legacy that Theodore Roosevelt left for us right here in this little corner of North Dakota.
There has been a lot of talk about the history of this area, of Theodore Roosevelt, of these horses. The truth is that we are all writing history – right now, in THIS moment.
What will the history books say about YOU as you are met with this moment?
Governor Doug Burgum met this moment head on yesterday. He stood in unity with our North Dakota state legislators – BOTH Republican AND Democrat. He stood in unity with our federally elected senators – Senator Cramer and Senator Hoeven. He stood in unity with state and community leaders -The North Dakota Department of Tourism, The Dickinson Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, The Medora Foundation, Dickinson State University, NDSU – just to name a few. If you have NOT seen the news conference from yesterday, PLEASE take the time to watch it! https://fb.watch/inK2U4TBFB/
Also, please take a moment to thank all of them for their support and leadership: https://www.mobilize.us/chwha/event/549484/
The truth is that nothing about this current situation for our beloved Theodore Roosevelt wild horses changed yesterday. At the same time, much needed HOPE came alive yesterday. We are all a little more optimistic about the fate of these horses.
Don’t let that glimmer of HOPE keep you from making your mark on how history will record this very important moment in the story of the wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home.
We have given you so many Calls to Action over the last 50 days. THANK YOU for answering each one! We hope that you can see how every single call you made or letter you wrote has played a HUGE part in the positive changes that are happening for this herd.
There is one Call to Action that HAS to be done by 11:59 PM MST TODAY! Please make sure you send your comment letter to the park TODAY! THAT can only be done online through the PEPC website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/LP
We have a sample letter you can customize to express what you want to see for this herd. https://chwha.org/2023/01/20/sample-comment-letter/
Also know, that the fight for the Spirit of the Badlands does not end TODAY.
It ends when we have a proper management plan that allows for a genetically viable herd to continue to live within the boundaries of Theodore Roosevelt National Park for generations to come. This battle has just begun.
An advocate friend of mine and I have had several conversations about the wild horses at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We have both feel that what happens with this herd will impact wild horses everywhere.
How will history remember you in this critical moment for wild horses everywhere?
“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is committed to advocating for a wild horse management plan and protection for these unique wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home! We are fighting for a management plan that is guided by science especially when it comes to decisions regarding the removal of horses and the administration of birth control. Many other wild horse management plans have proven to be successful with their science-based plans. We are asking for the same for this amazing group of wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home.
The only thing I disagree with is the birth control.
77 viable mare’s
H9w many are in the park now?
This number comes from the estimated number of wild mare’s that gave us domesticated horses, so actually a higher number of mare’s would be beneficial.
Birth control is too selective towards a human influence which is against nature.
I believe a reintroduction of apex predators and taking down the fences would be more like the era Teddy Roosevelt lived in. “Open Range ” no fences.