We celebrate, recognize, appreciate, respect, and believe in the love, power, and inherent strength of all ladies, two-legged and four, winged and finned, young and old this International Women’s Day and every day.
“This is how we are saving wild lives and respective wild places, by nurturing balanced ecosystems and bringing stakeholders to the table to offer and encourage collaborative management. We have successfully demonstrated that coexistence, humane treatment, sustainable management, protecting wild lives and indigenous habitats, and saving tax dollars, work together with our multi-faceted model over the last decade.” -Andrea Maki, Founder
It's so long to 2019 and a decade of un-ending challenges and tireless work on behalf of our iconic wild horses and wild places, and hello to 2020 and continued work.
November was an especially challenging month and perseverance was paramount. It was not easy to watch wild horses we've been working with on the range, and wild mares we've been successfully treating since 2013 with the fertility vaccine Native PZP, rounded up by helicopter. However, because of our collaborative work and implementation of Native PZP we've slowed population growth and subsequently this was the first BLM helicopter roundup since 2012, versus every 2-3 years.
The BLM's determined appropriate management level (AML) for the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) is 185-253. As in 2012, Wild Love was present for the entirety of the BLM’s 2019 helicopter roundup of the Challis wild horses which concluded November 11 after seven consecutive days. Of the approximate 400 wild horses counted on the range by the BLM, the total number removed by helicopter was 294. The BLM's goal had been 365.
Following the roundup the BLM made two aerial counts of the Challis HMA and concluded 111 wild horses were able to defy capture and remain wild on the range. We witnessed some incredibly impressive displays of might, courage, and unrelenting determination to outsmart the helicopter pilot by some wild horses, and as result, their freedom prevailed.
The number of Challis wild horses returned to the range was seventy-five, which brought the total count to the BLM's low AML of 185. Of the twenty-one wild mares to be released, ten were treated with the fertility vaccine PZP-22 and in keeping with our longtime management plan and successful collaborative work since 2013, which also coincides with wild mares not rounded up that have been part of our initial pilot program with Native PZP-1YR. Twelve mares were treated by the BLM with the fertility drug Gonacon, and we will document and compare research results over the coming years.
Here is this local KMVT-11 news story in Idaho at the conclusion of the Challis Roundup: Watch Here
As it relates to year-end giving, 100% of every donation supports our continued work, operations, and the lasting wildness of Idaho wild horses removed from public lands which we have adopted out of the taxpayer system to remain wild and together on their home turf at Wild Love Preserve. Presently, our 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses reside on our longtime leased 400-acres as we continue to fundraise for the land acquisition of our permanently protected 10,000-acre wildlife preserve, and also prepare to adopt those Challis wild horses not otherwise adopted from the 2019 roundup.
Thank you for considering a year-end tax-deductible donation in support of Wild Love Preserve and our multi-faceted model in wild horse conservation on native turf. Your support is instrumental and translates into lasting wildness for our iconic wild horses and respective indigenous ecosystems as an interconnected whole. Your giving is deeply appreciated and incredibly purposeful.
Founded in 2010 by contemporary artist and photographer, Andrea Maki, Wild Love Preserve has pioneered an innovative model in wild horse conservation, which engages public and private lands to address all facets of Idaho wild horse population on home turf, from collaborative work on the range, to WLP’s adopted 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses and future Idaho wild horses, and the creation of a permanently protected wildlife preserve in the heart of Idaho wild horse country. LOVE IS ACTION.
Happy Winter Solstice + Holidays from the Wild Side. May love, peace and kindness of heart fill your days and nights. Shine Bright, Andrea + Wild Love Preserve
“Dreamwalker was nearing his destination. The Arapaho Nation was close at hand. White Stallion came to the front of the herd. Dreamwalker mounted White Stallion’s back. White Stallion was the message carrier for all the other horses, and represented wisdom in power. This magnificent horse was the embodiment of the balanced medicine wheel. “No abuse of power will ever lead to wisdom,” said White Stallion. “You, Dreamwalker, have made this journey to heal a brother in need, to share the sacred pipe, and to heal Mother Earth. You have the knowledge through humility that you are an instrument of Great Spirit. As I carry you upon my back, you cary the needs of the people on yours. In wisdom, you understand that power is not given lightly but awarded to those who are willing to carry responsibility in a balanced manner.”
November 2019, the BLM conducted its first helicopter roundup of the Challis Herd since 2012 versus every 2-3 years due to collaborative efforts with Wild Love Preserve over the last nine years. The joint BLM-WLP implementation of a pro-active fertility management program has proven successful in slowing population growth. As in 2012, Wild Love founder Andrea Maki worked on behalf of the horses to reduce conflicts between the advocates, public and BLM, leading up, during and following this roundup.
The BLM’s helicopter roundup of the Challis wild horses concluded November 11, 2019 after seven consecutive days. Of the approximate 400 wild horses counted on the range, the total number removed was 294. The BLM's goal had been 365. Daily BLM counts were: 11/5: 66, 11/6: 78, 11/7: 52, 11/8: 39, 11/9: 32, 11/10: 16, 11/11: 11.
Following the roundup the BLM made two aerial counts of the Challis Herd Management Area and concluded 111 wild horses were able to defy capture and remain wild on the range. We witnessed some incredibly impressive displays of might, courage, and unrelenting determination to outsmart the helicopter pilot by some of the horses, and as result, they remain free on their home turf.
The number of Challis wild horses returned to range will be approximately seventy-five, which will bring the total count to the BLM's low AML of 185. Of the twenty-one wild mares to be released, ten will be treated with the fertility vaccine PZP-22 and in keeping with our longtime management plan and successful collaborative work since 2013, which will also coincide with wild mares not rounded up that have been part of our initial pilot program with Native PZP-1YR. Eleven mares will be treated by the BLM with the fertility drug Gonacon, and we will document and compare research results over the coming years.
The BLM's management level for the number of wild horses living in their native habitat on the Challis Herd Management Area is 185. The BLM's head count in mid-2019 was approximately 400 wild horses after seven years since the 2012 roundup, compared with the 2012 count being over 400 after three years following the 2009 Challis roundup which had also left the count at 185. The BLM’s 2019 Challis roundup and removals again left the count at 185 after approximately 111 horses were counted to have escaped capture and 73 were returned to the wild. As in 2012, Wild Love Preserve's will adopt those not otherwise adopted to live in permanent residence on the wild side in 2020.
Here’s this local KMVT 11 news story in Idaho:bit.ly/kmvt-11
Say hello to our newest crew members, Galileo and Scout. Galileo is from Hardtrigger HMA and Scout is from Sands Basin, both are 16 year old geldings. We welcomed them from a previous adopter yesterday and they are getting used to their new home on the wild side. Today it was heartwarming to see them making new friends who are also showing them the ropes. This love is wild and forever.
We are sharing this story by Ginger Fendak which she posted on In Defense of Animals Blog on October 10, 2019. We are incredibly appreciative of this generous support. Together we are able to achieve working solutions that benefit our collective whole.
In 2010, a contemporary visual artist and photographer named Andrea Maki founded Wild Love Preserve to protect wild horses in central Idaho. Against all odds, Andrea bridged divides between opposing groups to spearhead collaborative efforts with the Idaho Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and disparate stakeholders. Wild horse and burro herds across America are currently facing their greatest threats in decades, so we must strive for Andrea’s work to become a model for saving herds in as many states as possible.
Andrea’s work began on Idaho’s Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) in 2010 and her efforts expanded to include the Idaho BLM on all six wild horse HMAs in the state.
Wild Love Preserve works to ensure wild horses remain integral, wild, and free on their home turf. These efforts include an innovative wild horse conservation program, conflict resolution, education platform, comprehensive range health fixed on sustainability, and the creation of its wildlife preserve in the heart of Idaho's wild horse country. This preserve currently serves as a permanent home to 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses and will also accommodate future wild horses not otherwise adopted in the state.
Kindness, mutual respect, accountability, science, and education drive Wild Love Preserve's mission to protect and preserve western wild horses in their native habitats and nurture indigenous ecosystems. These efforts have not only recognized the herds’ horses' intrinsic value, but have also turned Challis-Idaho wild horses into an asset for the community, region, and state.
After creating Wild Love Preserve, Andrea’s role has often been that of a mediator and negotiator to bring together folks previously locked in opposition. These are the BLM, ranchers, environmentalists, wildlife biologists, wild horse advocates, youth employment groups, regional communities, and others.
Because of Wild Love Preserve's due-diligence, as well as its collaborative and pro-active efforts since 2010, there has not been a roundup of the Challis herd since October 2012 (as opposed to every 2-3 years prior to then). Its programs have also saved American taxpayers well over $7.5 million. This November, there will be a roundup of the Challis herd, but Wild Love Preserve will adopt those Challis wild horses not otherwise adopted to give them a permanent life of wildness, just as it did after the 2012 roundup.
Andrea Maki has pioneered an all-inclusive model in wild horse conservation which has garnered national attention over the years, and serves as a framework for other western states. We must work to expand these concepts to save wild horse herds from harm!
Help Stone Gossard, Andrea Maki and Wild Love Preserve reach their minimum goal of raising $1M toward the acquisition of 10,000 acres for Wild Love Preserve’s permanently protected Idaho wildlife preserve before the impending Challis BLM (Bureau of Land Management) helicopter roundup in November. Your support translates to lasting wildness for Idaho wild horses and wild places as a whole.
Founded in 2010, by contemporary visual artist and photographer, Andrea Maki, Wild Love Preserve protects and preserves our iconic wild horses and their native habitats as an interconnected whole. Currently, they are working to meet a vital funding deadline for the purchase of 10,000-acres for Wild Love Preserve's Idaho wildlife preserve to be protected in perpetuity for their adopted 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses removed from public lands in 2012, and additional Challis wild horses from the upcoming 2019 BLM helicopter roundup. Because of WLP's collaborative work since 2010 with the Challis wild horses, Idaho BLM, and stakeholders, there hasn’t been a government roundup of the Challis Herd since 2012, versus every 2-3 years, and they’ve saved taxpayers over $7.5M. Your support translates to lasting wildness for Idaho wild horses and wild places as a whole, if you would like to learn more and help, contact founder, Andrea Maki, at andrea@wildlovepreserve.org
In 1980, Seattle natives, Stone Gossard and Andrea Maki first met in the halls of The Northwest School at 14 years old, and have been trusted partners in crime since. Art and music are at their cores, accompanied by an awareness to act on behalf of our greater whole. While Stone's path is his music and giving back, to include the Vitalogy Foundation, Andrea's lifetime career as a contemporary visual artist includes founding her non-profit, Wild Love Preserve, in 2010. Stone was the first to step up and support the project, and he and the Vitalogy Foundation have been instrumental in successes of Wild Love Preserve’s work with Challis-Idaho wild horses, and the preservation of our iconic wild mustangs and wild places. Over the years, Wild Love's innovative model has demonstrated via boots-on-the-ground implementation, how coexistence, humane treatment, sustainable management, protecting wild horses and indigenous habitats, and saving tax dollars, can work together to benefit stakeholders, our environment and collective whole for generations to come.
““Since 2010, Wild Love founder, Andrea Maki’s, consistent and devoted attention to the plight of wild horses has been amazing to witness. A 30,000-foot view and her obvious political savvy have created an unlikely coalition of ranchers, environmentalists, wild horse advocates, and government agencies, working in delicate concert to save these majestic animal. She should be the envy of any activist looking to make a real impact.”
-Stone Gossard, Pearl Jam + The Vitalogy Foundation, 2017”
We are sharing news that there will be a BLM (Bureau of Land Management) helicopter roundup of the Challis Herd conducted this November. Because of Wild Love Preserve's due-diligence and pro-active work since 2010 with the Challis wild horses, Idaho BLM, and stakeholders, there has not been a government roundup of the Challis wild horses since 2012, versus every 2-3 years, and our programs have saved taxpayers well over $7.5 million.
The BLM's determined Appropriate Management Level (AML) for the number of Challis wild horses living in their native habitat on the 154,150 acres of multi-use public lands known as the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) is 185. Presently, the BLM's headcount is at approximately 365 wild horses after seven years since the 2012 roundup removals left the count at 185 AML, which was followed by the pro-active implementation of our collaborative Native PZP-1Year population management program. Compare this with the 2012 headcount being over 400 after three years following the 2009 Challis roundup removals that had also left the count at 185 AML.
Wild Love Preserve was boots-on-the-ground for the 2012 Challis Roundup and we will be there monitoring for the entirety of the 2019 Challis Roundup in central Idaho. At this time we are asking for your support as we prepare for our multi-faceted work, leading up to, during, and following this 2019 BLM Challis Roundup, which includes being able to adopt those Challis wild horses not otherwise adopted and give them a permanent life of wildness with Wild Love Preserve, as we did in 2012. Thank you for considering a tax-deductible donation.
We have also launched a Wild Love fundraising campaign thru September 26 to get a T-shirt or Hoodie and support the work of Wild Love Preserve as we prepare, during + following the 2019 BLM Challis Roundup. Our rally call is "Love, Love, Wild Love" and we invite you to join us! T-shirts are available in Ladies, Unisex, and Youth sizes. We also have Hoodies. Click below for this campaign.
“If you go in looking for a fight, you’re going to get a fight. My interest is in engaging in discussions that lead to solutions through listening and mutual respect. Wild Love Preserve is an accountability project and a humanity project. We work with the Bureau of Land Management, cattle ranchers, environmentalists, wildlife biologists, wild horse advocates, youth employment groups. and regional communities, offering a mutually viable solution to helicopter roundups and removals. In doing so, we have also saved taxpayers over $7.5 million dollars since 2013 with our programs. My role over the years, has, in many ways, been that of a mediator. Since 2010, Wild Love Preserve has been fully engaged in collaborative population management, accountability, and pro-active programs that involve all stakeholders and address the health and balance of the range and this unique indigenous ecosystem as an interconnected and balanced whole. While differing opinions are a given, mutual respect in negotiations and dealings are integral in establishing common ground. We do not implement tools of litigation, instead, we work face-to-face with all stakeholders, finding compromise between differing perspectives through fluid communications in real-time.” -Andrea Maki, Founder
In 2010 when I founded Wild Love Preserve, folks told me it would not be possible to bring stakeholders together in a new light, one told me to stop reinventing the wheel, another even attempted to shut me down, however I stayed true to my beliefs and spearheaded collaborative efforts with the Idaho BLM and stakeholders. Wild Love Preserve is a unique legacy project that includes our innovative wild horse conservation program, conflict resolution, education platform, comprehensive range health fixed on sustainability, and the creation of our wildlife preserve in the heart of Idaho's wild horse country, which will serve as permanent home to our current 136 Challis-Idaho wild horses and future Idaho wild horses not otherwise adopted. Kindness, mutual respect, accountability, science, and education drive Wild Love's mission to protect and preserve western wild horses in their native habitats and nurture the legacy of respective indigenous ecosystems as an interconnected whole by bridging divides, and our conservation efforts have turned Challis-Idaho wild horses into an asset for the community, region, and state.
For Wild Love Preserve, wild horses lead our way in protecting the whole, meaning all indigenous wildlife and habit. We’re not a fenced wild horse sanctuary, but rather a two-part wildlife preserve engaging public and private lands to address all facets of regional wild horse populations on native turf and in balance with all indigenous wildlife, and livestock where applicable. This is how we save wild lives and wild places, nurture balanced ecosystems and bring stakeholders to the table to encourage collaborative management.
After creating Wild Love Preserve, my role has often been that of a mediator and negotiator, bringing together folks previously locked in opposition to work in concert, hence, we work with the BLM, cattle ranchers, environmentalists, wildlife biologists, wild horse advocates, youth employment groups, regional communities, and others. Because of Wild Love's due-diligence, collaborative, and pro-active efforts over since 2010 with the Challis-Idaho BLM, there has not been a helicopter roundup of the Challis Herd since October 2012, and our programs have saved American taxpayers well over $7.5 million dollars in a few short years following 2013 as result of our Adoption Project and our collaborative Native PZP-1Year population management program Viewed as a paradigm project by stakeholders from all sides, we’ve pioneered an all-inclusive model in wild horse conservation which has garnered national attention for years and is serving as a framework for other western states.
By way of boots-on-the-ground action, Wild Love has successfully demonstrated, that coexistence, humane treatment, sustainable management, protecting wild lives and indigenous habitats, and saving tax dollars, work together with our multi-faceted model. 2019 marks the sixth year of our humane and collaborative Native PZP fertility management program which has proven successful in slowing population growth with free-roaming wild horses on the Challis HMA darting with the BLM on the range, and with Wild Love’s adopted wild horses. By design, Wild Love’s adopted Idaho wild horses also serve as our control herd because management on our private preserve mirrors our collaborative work on public lands. Native PZP has enabled us to keep our numbers at roughly 136 over the last six years, and we’ve witnessed firsthand that it does not result in adverse behavioral issues, does not impact band or herd dynamics, has not altered the natural breeding season, does not negatively impact the fetus or cause birth defects if a pregnant wild mare is darted, and we have healthy babies born to our wild mares ensuring genetic viability.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our work is made possible by donations, grants, in-kind services, and sponsors. Conservation-minded individuals and foundations such as Stone Gossard and Pearl Jam Vitalogy Foundation, Duff McKagan, the Raymond James Endowment Fund, The Earth and Humanity Foundation, The Science and Conservation Center, ASPCA, Summerlee Foundation, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have been instrumental in supporting our work over the last nine years, and by design, our advisory council represents stakeholders from all sides.
This week we're in Montana for The Science and Conservation Center Conference in Billings. Back in August of 2012, Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. and The Science and Conservation Center hosted an international wildlife fertility conference in Jackson Hole. While I have many treasured memories of Jay and our conversations, a favorite was when he "strongly suggested" I attend this 2012 conference because there would be good people for me to meet, and to share the work I was doing in Idaho with Wild Love Preserve. I said yes, but when I found it an uphill challenge to raise the necessary funding for travel expenses and accommodations, I had to finally call Jay to let him know it didn't look good. His response was classic, "Well, Andrea, I will understand, but I will be very, very disappointed if you don't make it." To that I replied, "Okay, I'll get it figured out." Thanks to a grant from Pearl Jam Vitalogy Foundation I was able to attend, and of course, Jay was right, I did meet many interesting people, and a few that have become trusted friends.
This time around I've been invited to give a presentation about the work of Wild Love Preserve at The Science and Conservation Center Conference, and while Jay Kirkpatrick has walked on, and will be deeply missed, without doubt he will be ever-present. Excerpts from the outline of this talk are below.
“The focus of Wild Love Preserve’s wild horse project in bringing all stakeholders together to work collaboratively with the Challis and Idaho BLM, is unique and imaginative and potentially opens the door to an entirely new paradigm for managing western wild horses. This model may change a great deal and we here at The Science and Conservation Center are excited about partnering with WLP in this effort. -Jay F. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., 2013”
Wild Love Preserve + Stakeholders
Andrea Maki will talk about the work of Wild Love Preserve and pioneering a multi-faceted model in wild horse conservation on home turf through conflict resolution and in conjunction with Native PZP as an integral tool.
"Our core tenet has been the belief that to solve the man-made wild horse crisis we must solve this human relations crisis, and that solutions exist by way of collaboration and creating vested interests that turn regional wild horses into assets for local communities and states. Our inclusive approach has brought together the BLM, cattle ranchers, environmentalists, wildlife biologists, wild horse advocates, youth employment groups, and community to create a viable and supported solution to existing BLM helicopter roundups and removals of wild horses from public lands to out-of-state longterm holding facilities, and other end-results.”
“2019 marks the sixth year of our humane and collaborative Native PZP fertility management program which has proven successful in slowing population growth with free-roaming wild horses on the Challis HMA darting with the BLM on the range, and with Wild Love’s adopted wild horses. By design, Wild Love’s adopted Idaho wild horses also serve as our control herd because management on our private preserve mirrors our collaborative work on public lands. Native PZP has enabled us to keep our numbers at roughly 136 over the last six years, and we’ve witnessed firsthand that it does not result in adverse behavioral issues, does not impact band or herd dynamics, has not altered the natural breeding season, does not negatively impact the fetus or cause birth defects if a pregnant wild mare is darted, and we have healthy babies born to our wild mares ensuring genetic viability."
"Wild Love Preserve is not but a mere project of passion. Wild Love is dedicated to the greater good of our wild planet, now and for future generations - centering on humanity, sustainability, two-legged accountability and our responsibility to the whole. -Andrea Maki, 2010
“Humans must learn from the past, not continue to repeat our deadly, disastrous mistakes. It is our responsibility to protect and care for, not continue to destroy out of fear, greed and chosen ignorance. To respect and act with understanding and compassion. Humans are not superior to all else. We do not sit atop a pyramid of life holding court, here to simply do as "we" see fit to fill our self serving needs and excesses. The magic of life lies within a sacred circle and two-leggeds are but a mere part of the "whole" - within that "whole" lies a very delicate balance which must be honored and respected." - Andrea Maki, 2003
The PZP Immunocontraception Conference hosted by The Science and Conservation Center in Billings, Montana, brings together representatives from various fields who work on controlling wildlife populations with PZP Immunocontraception, August 7-9, 2019
Founder Andrea Maki will talk about the work of Wild Love Preserve and creating a multi-faceted model in wild horse conservation on home turf through conflict resolution and in conjunction with Native PZP as an integral tool.
“The focus of Wild Love Preserve’s wild horse project in bringing all stakeholders together to work collaboratively with the Challis and Idaho BLM, is unique and imaginative and potentially opens the door to an entirely new paradigm for managing western wild horses. This model may change a great deal and we here at The Science and Conservation Center are excited about partnering with WLP in this effort.” - Jay F. Kirkpatrick, Ph.D., Aug 2013
“To see them be able to be who they are, with no strings attached, I just find that it’s really, really important. And they are so happy being who they are, and we are able to set a precedent of creating a wild expanse right here at home.” -Andrea Maki
My heart. Wild hearts. Remembering this special happening on the wild side from Father’s Day 2015, which will be forever treasured, and my dad captured it on film. Love lives here. -Andrea Maki
Friends - We've just launched this Wild Love T-shirt fundraising campaign that runs thru June 28. Whether for you or as a gift, we invite you to purchase a Wild Love T-shirt + help us keep wild horses wild on their native turf. Choose from 2 designs in 3 colors. Ladies and Unisex styles available. Youth sizes available in Navy and Grey Unisex T.
