“Everyone shows up in different ways of course, but this is no time to be complacent or hopeless.” ~ Dosse Via
That quote came across my path yesterday and it seemed quite fitting.
It is a frustrating time for wild horse advocates. The BLM is notorious for their plans to eradicate wild horses on the western landscape. Bait & Trap will begin soon for the McCullough Peaks wild horses, despite overwhelming public outcry. The Forest Service has shown that they are no better, last month over 200 wild horses were rounded up in the Devil’s Garden herd. And, in our own battle, we have the “stewards of the land” at the National Park Service (NPS), specifically, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, planning to erase just under 200 wild horses from the landscape.
It is no secret that the Department of the Interior, who oversees the BLM & NPS, strategically plan the release of their environmental assessments as well as their roundups. While we are all busy fighting our own individual battles, we don’t get to pay as much attention as we would like to all of the wild horse herds out there that are constantly under attack.
It would be easy to just throw our arms up in the air and say, “The heck with it all!”
THAT is exactly what government bureaucracy aims at doing. Wearing us down, making us tired, making us feel hopeless – until we finally give up.
Giving up is not an option. The lives and living history of wild horses everywhere is at stake. We need to preserve these majestic beings who were so crucial to shaping America. They deserve so much better than what they have been given.
How do we change things?
Persistence. We don’t give up and we don’t give in. We don’t compromise at the expense of the well-being of these horses.
Just under 20,000 people commented in the last public comment period for the TRNP wild horses. We know from the Park’s report that ONLY 45 of those 20,000 supported the Park’s plans to eliminate every last one of the horses within the boundaries of the park.
As a branch of the federal government, that operates with our tax dollars, in the USA where we have a government OF the People, BY the people and FOR the people, – how can Theodore Roosevelt National Park honestly come back with the Draft Environmental Assessment that they gave us on September 25, 2023??
They are counting on all of us to read it and throw our hands in the air and say “Well, they proved why they HAVE to get rid of the horses.” They counted on their ability to “connect the dots” for us.
I believe we are smarter than Theodore Roosevelt National Park gave us credit for! We have disproved much of their Draft EA and poked holes in their “facts”.
This weekend, we will finish up our historical & cultural blogs and then we will start giving you examples of ways that you can make an impactful comment to the Park.
In the meantime – what are you doing to help save this herd?
Please, talk about these horses to everyone you know and encourage them to comment!
Share our YouTube videos! Our friends at National Geographic just sent us a new one. It is available in wide-screen and mobile version. These have proven to be impactful in getting the public’s attention! It’s as easy as a simple share!
Sign our petition for the State Historic Preservation Office! We have just over 3,000 signatures! Thank you! We are getting our info together to mail to them with all of your names – make sure you we have yours! We will keep the petition open through Sunday (11/5/2023) and mail it off Monday morning!
Share our graphics! We have several on our Facebook page that give a clear and simple message asking people to comment to Theodore Roosevelt National Park to help save these horses!
Last week we shared ways that Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is working to save these horses. Please read that blog post and continue to give us your suggestions on what we can do to help raise awareness.
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is working hard to save these horses. We are advertising on social media and in our local newspapers. We also have a TON of materials that we are passing out and posting in the local community to help raise awareness! Please consider making a donation to help us cover these costs!
No matter what it is you are doing – with what you have, from where you are, PLEASE don’t stop now! We have until November 24, 2023, to get as many SUBSTANTIVE comments into the Park as possible! There are STILL a lot of people who do not know that the freedom of these horses is being threatened!
PLEASE REMEMBER: Your comments ONLY count when you go to the Park’s planning website to make the comment! Comments made on social media posts, even the ones for Theodore Roosevelt National Park DO NOT go into the administrative record! Make sure you speak up for these horses! Here is the link to submit your comments: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=167&projectID=105110&documentID=132035
You CAN comment more than once!
Thank you for your support and have a GREAT weekend!
P.S. – Don’t forget to join us tonight as we host a NEW Horse Talk with wildlife ecologist Craig Downer! This event is FREE, but we do ask that you register in advance! https://secure.everyaction.com/9BWTjmZjN0ech4amUJ6I3A2
