Friends - We have game-changing updates to share. As I write this, things are fast-moving and I'm working to meet the shifting demands. As such, I'm reaching out to ask for your help in meeting our goal.
First up is the drought in the West. As of July, we're being hit hard. Hay prices have skyrocketed to $200 per ton and the price continues to escalate. As part of our Keeping It Wild in 2021 campaign, we now have $150K to raise asap to lock in the price and supply for our supplemental winter hay to Spring 2022. To note, while we remain at our leased 400-acres supplemental winter hay is necessary from late Fall to Spring. This will change once we're finally able to move to our permanent home and wild expanse.
Second, back in July 2020 we adopted and secured the lives of the first group of 24 Challis wild horses first group of 24 Challis wild horses from the BLM's 2019 Challis helicopter roundup, bringing our number of permanent residents to 165. (Watch the video below.) Now, we have the second group of 20 wild Challis mares to adopt in early September. As per our mission, we are adopting and purchasing the Challis-Idaho wild horses from the 2019 BLM roundup not otherwise adopted, and as we did following the 2012 Challis roundup. Once with us, they live forever wild and together on their native turf in Idaho at Wild Love Preserve. We do not adopt out or gentle any wild horses.
Due to the impacts of the pandemic, we’ve made necessary adjustments to ensure our work remains in full-swing on all fronts, albeit we are not where we had worked so hard to be by this time. We continue our search for like-minded benefactors to support our permanently protected Idaho wildlife preserve and subsequent move. During this 11th year of Wild Love's wild horse conservation work in Idaho, our Keeping It Wild in 2021 in 2021 campaign goal of raising $500K is to fund operational expenses with our 165+ Challis-Idaho wild horses, our 400-acre lease, supplemental winter hay, the implementation of our wild horse conservation and education programs on and off the range, and the logistics of adopting the remaining Challis wild mares from the 2019 BLM roundup. Time is of the essence.
While writing this letter, I feel compelled to share that fundraising is not something I enjoy. It is a necessity. More often than not, it is incredibly demoralizing. I know times are very challenging for everyone, and for that reason, I'm all the more appreciative of your time and consideration.
Lastly, I want to share a giving method some donors prefer because it does not cut into their disposable income or cash assets. It is a stock donation. And for those hesitant to redeem stock that has increased significantly in value because of capital gains tax, donating the stock to Wild Love Preserve can avoid this tax. It is a win-win! To learn more, visit: Donate Stock To Wild Love Preserve
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, 100% of every donation helps fund our boots-on-the-ground work. Special thanks for considering a tax-deductible gift at this time. The difference you make with your support makes all the difference in wild lives and lasting wildness.
