“That better story of America is alive and well.  It is in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.  If we are willing to attach ourselves to that better story in our own individual lives, in our communities, in our business, our law firms, universities, in our places of worship, then I think the good will win.” 
~ Unknown

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

One of the questions I have been asked the most over the last few years is how we were able to stop the roundup of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild horses.  One of the BIGGEST things that have contributed to our success is that we “Made it an Issue” – especially at the state level. 

The horses pictured in this blog are from the Salt Wells Creek herd in Wyoming.  They are part of the “Checkerboard” herd that includes both the Salt Wells Creek, Adobe Town and Divide Basin herds.  The BLM plans to round up every single horse in the Salt Wells Creek herd and slash the number of horses that remain in the Adobe town herd.  The helicopters will go up beginning on July 15^th.  The BLM estimates that 3,371 wild horses will be removed from 2.1 MILLION acres of public land. 

There is a lawsuit that was filed to try to stop the roundup.  As of this writing, there has not been a decision in that case. 

The Salt Wells Creek wild horses include the last of the “curly” horses we have running wild and free on our public lands. 

I have seen many people trying many different things to raise awareness for these horses and stop the BLM from zeroing out this herd.  What I have not seen is a call to reach out to state legislators for their help.  To me, now more than ever with our federal legislators focusing on so many different things, one of the best ways to get their attention is through the state. 

Will it work like it did for us in North Dakota?

We won’t know unless we try.

Will contacting state legislators “hurt”?

The very freedom of these horses is already being threatened – so no, I do not believe so.  They can’t do more than they already have planned to and that plan is to zero out two of the three herds. 

One thing is for sure – doing NOTHING means that NOTHING will change for these horses.    Complaining to each other on social media will NOT help these horses.  Complaining about what other organizations are or aren’t doing also will NOT help.  Commenting on this blog or other social media posts also does NOT help these horses. 

These horses need every single one of us to speak up for them before we lose yet another 3400 wild horses and add to the 64,000 wild horses already in government holding facilities with no plan for their future.  We are past a time for ANYONE to expect that someone else will speak up for you if you don’t. 

As you know, we started a Coloring Campaign a few weeks ago and have been targeting members of Congress as well as Secretary Burgum.  We plan to direct these pages, with a letter from our organization, to state and federal legislators in Wyoming for the next couple of weeks.  

You can learn more about our Coloring Campaign here: https://chwha.org/get-involved/coloring-campaign/

We have seen over the last few months that what Senator Cory Booker said is so true!  “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

If these elected officials do not hear from us, then we are giving that power away. We need to amplify our voices for these horses!

How you can help:

1. Contact your own members of Congress and educate them on this issue!  This is ESPECIALLY TRUE if you are a resident of Wyoming!  We created a one-click Call to Action that will email your legislators directly.  We also strongly suggest that you also CALL your legislators directly.  You can do ALL of these Calls to Action EVERY DAY! You can take this one click action here: https://secure.everyaction.com/GwZbUw4vr0ulNtzoZ7mOjw2
2. We have a list of Wyoming state and federal legislators for you to call listed below.  We also have a one click email action you can take.  We are urging you to DO BOTH!!! 
3. Please email Wyoming’s state and federal legislators.  Again, this is even more important if you are a resident of Wyoming. We have listed phone numbers for Wyoming’s legislators below and have also created a one-click email: https://secure.everyaction.com/pMzBUGAfOEOKxYvYE0QnFg2  AGAIN, we are urging everyone to DO BOTH!
4. Please sign our petition.  We will be sending the names on July 7^th to BOTH Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and Secretary Burgum.  We need to let them know that we LOVE Wyoming’s wild horses.  You can sign our petition here: https://secure.everyaction.com/Mb_fDOMFAUi2LYFbfdztgw2

What should you say when you make your calls? Also, please note that the numbers for the state legislators many times is their cell phone.

If you are a Wyoming resident, make sure you let them know that.  You matter more than those of us in other states because you get to elect them! 

#1 – BE RESPECTFUL!!!  We understand this is highly emotional for everyone but calm and respect will help your voice be heard!

Let them know that as an American citizen, you want our wild horses protected the way the 1971 Wild and Free Roaming Wild Horses and Burro Act intended so that future generations can enjoy these amazing animals the way we do today.

Educate them to the fact that there are currently 64,000 wild horses and burros in questionable conditions in government holding facilities with no real plans for their future ALL being paid for by our tax dollars.  Why do we keep adding to this number without a plan to properly and humanely address this ongoing issue?!

Remind them that these public lands belong to each and every American and these lands specifically were set aside to make sure our wild horses and burros always had a place in our great country.  As wild horse advocates, we also have the right to enjoy these public lands and our choice is to view these amazing wild horses!

When you take our one-click actions, please feel free to REPECTFULLY personalize your message.

We ask that you contact as many Wyoming state legislators as you can, you can find their contact information on the state’s website here: https://wyoleg.gov/Legislature/ContactUs

We have added information for senior leaders and those directly over this specific area in Wyoming here:

Governor Mark Gordon: phone: 307-777-7434 governor@wyo.gov

Senate Majority Leader – Senator Tara Nethercott – cell (307) 399-7696 Tara.Nethercott@wyoleg.gov

Senate Minority Leader – Senator Mike Gierau – cell (307) 413-0109 Mike.Gierau@wyoleg.gov

House Majority Leader – Representative Scott Heiner – cell (307) 870-2859 Scott.Heiner@wyoleg.gov

House Minority Leader – Representative Mike Yin – cell (307) 201-9897 Mike.Yin@wyoleg.gov

House District 17: Representative J.T. Larson – cell (307) 389-0162 JT.Larson@wyoleg.gov

House District 48: Representative Darin McCann – Cell – (307) 899-2270 Darin.McCann@wyoleg.gov

House District 39: Representative Cody Wylie – Cell – (307) 371-3283 – Cody.Wylie@wyoleg.gov

House District 60: Representative Marlene Brady – Cell – (307) 871-4583 – Marlene.Brady@wyoleg.gov

House District 15: Representative Pam Thayer – Cell – (307) 321-5624 – Pam.Thayer@wyoleg.gov

House District 47: Representative Bob Davis – Cell – (307) 380-6457 – Bob.Davis@wyoleg.gov

Wyoming’s Federal Legislators – THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE!!!   ESPECIALLY THEIR CONSTITUENTS!!

Senator John Barrasso
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-6441
Email: Tori Teegarden – Tori_Teegarden@barrasso.senate.gov

Senator Cynthia Lummis
Russell Senate Office Building
Suite SR-127A
Washington, DC  20510
Phone: 202-224-3424
Email: Emme James – Emme_James@Lummis.senate.gov

Representative Harriet Hageman
1227 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC  20515
Phone: (202) 225-2311
Email: Trinity Lewis – Trinity.Lewis@mail.house.gov

I can tell you that I have already personal done all of these Calls to Action. I have already received replies from many of the people listed above. 

Thank you for taking the time to speak up for Wyoming’s wild horses.  Remember – you CAN do these one click emails EVERY DAY!

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