“Thanks again for your hopeful, optimistic thinking about all this. You are a remarkable advocate for many of the same causes as me, and I admire and respect your stamina, persistence, gracious fair-mindedness, and diplomacy in continuing to try and work through a cumbersome and unresponsive system.”

~ Steve Martens

Hello and Happy Friday to everyone!

I was thinking, it feels like every single day this week – what a LOONNNGGGGG and busy week this was!  Then I started thinking about what a LLLOOONNNGGGGG and busy year this has been for all of us at Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates!

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with my dear friend Steve Martens.  I have talked about Steve before.  A few fun facts about Steve, he is an emeritus professor at NDSU, then-Governor Burgum appointed him to serve on the State Historical Board, he has also been a research consultant for several federal resource management agencies. 

Steve is one of the many wonderful people and allies that we have had the pleasure of meeting on this journey to save the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.   

After we spoke yesterday, Steve sent me a wonderful email.  I shared his quote above because we all need to hear those things once in a while.  We all need to know we are on the right path, doing the right thing for the right reasons.  I truly hope each one of you will read Steve’s words and know those words belong to each one of you that continue to press on to make sure that wild horses always roam the Badlands of North Dakota in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. 

Today is the last day for us to maximize our Secret Santa donation!  An anonymous donor has agreed to donate UP TO $1,000 to our organization if we can get those funds matched!  That means that every donation you make is AUTOMATICALLY DOUBLED!!! A donation of any size will help us maximize this generous donation! 

Your tax-deductible donation can be made to us here: https://secure.everyaction.com/wnK6YjHlTkCC2Aq57_7srQ2

You can also make donations to us through PayPal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XNYNCNVLTULGC

WHY should you donate to Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates?

We are the organization that has been leading the fight for proper management of the wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home! 

In all honesty, it is easier to get donations when there is a 5-alarm fire – like last year’s roundup.  The truth is, because of our consistent advocacy, the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park avoided the stress of any 5 alarm fires this year!  

That doesn’t mean we don’t need your support now more than ever!

In April of 2024 , because of our critical and crucial advocacy work, the park abandoned their plans to remove ALL the wild horses from the boundaries of the park.  We told you then to absolutely take a moment to celebrate BUT know our work is far from over.

Since April of 2024, Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates has been consistently working to get these historic wild horses the federal protection they deserve.  This began with meetings with our North Dakota state legislators all the way back in 2024!

With your help, in the spring of 2025, Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR 4006 passed the North Dakota Legislature unanimously!  SCR 4006 was a resolution simply asking for federal protection for these amazing wild horses!

Within a few weeks, Senator John Hoeven introduced S1377, The Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wild Horse Protection Act. 

CHWHA also had meetings and correspondence with Secretary Burgum’s office, as we continue to work to get the best management practices in place for these iconic wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home. 

We also had a great meeting with TRNP’s newly appointed superintendent, Rachel Daniels.  We have continued to communicate with Superintendent Daniels and her team and were elated when she let us know that she is committed to a positive path forward.  Because of our meetings, the park has FINALLY started recognizing the wild horses on social media, a small but significant step for those of us who love these amazing horses!

Again, no 5-alarm fires.  Our advocacy averted those! Just slow and steady steps forward all year long.  I can tell you that this week, every day from Sunday through yesterday, has been a 12-15 hour day for me.  This included gathering information. Making sure I clearly understood the information that needed to be shared and that it was relayed to all of you in a clear and concise manner through our blogs.  I have talked to the press.  I have personally talked to Senator Hoeven’s office twice this week.  I have spoken with other advocates to get their support and advice.  The list can go on and on. 

When I read Steve’s words and noticed the word “stamina” all I could think is “Stamina?!  Steve – I AM EXHAUSTED!”

I am sure all of you that have been doing so much work speaking up for these horses are exhausted too!

And yet, you never once heard anyone in our organization say, that we were “not planning any additional action at this time.”   Remaining silent when there is an opportunity to FINALLY get these horses the federal protection they deserve is like a Judas kiss to these horses.  That message screams “We love these horses, BUT not enough to use my voice to speak up for them.” 

When the time was right, we provided each of you with easy and pertinent Calls to Action.  It has been all of you elevating your voices that has truly made a difference for these historic wild horses. 

We are sooo close to FINALLY getting these horses the federal protection they deserve! There is still so much work to be done! 

In addition to all of that above….

We kicked off last year the same way we are planning to kick off 2026 – with our Wild Horse & Burro Virtual Summit!

We have also been working on that in the midst of a busy legislative month! The website will be updated in the next few days, so be sure to check back!

Thank you to each one of you who has taken time to also send us emails with your kind words and support.  More than anything, thank you for your dedication and continued advocacy for these historic wild horses!  You are making a difference!  You will see just how much very soon!

Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation of any size to help us with our Secret Santa fundraiser!  If you are able to help us on this final day to maximize this generous donation, once again the links to donate are listed below.

Your tax-deductible donation can be made to us here: https://secure.everyaction.com/wnK6YjHlTkCC2Aq57_7srQ2

You can also make donations to us through PayPal here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XNYNCNVLTULGC

Have a great weekend and thank you for your support!

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