Our Teachers

"Animals are our teachers, man has much to learn. Humans are not superior to all else. The belief that man sits atop a pyramid of life, here to do as he pleases, has brought us to the state we are in today. At the extreme cost of the whole, many two-leggeds are disconnected and concerned only with their own immediate needs and desires. They fall short of understanding that humans are but a mere part of the whole and that within that whole lies a very delicate balance. The magic of life lies within a sacred circle. As humans we have a responsibility and we have a choice. Life requires our participation, to fully engage. To walk this earth must not be taken for granted. It is our responsibility to protect and care for the land. To respect the earth and all its inhabitants, acting with conscience and awareness. It is vital that we learn from the past and apply that knowledge in a positive manner moving forward."  A. Maki, 2002


True Grit

I'm not a football person, but once again the Seahawks play a game that resonates to the core. Yesterday's NFC win was far more than just a series of plays on the field, it exemplified a language of life, perseverance, grit and belief, especially in those moments when things weren't falling into place. While naysayers began to surface, the guys on the field remained steadfast.

This Wild Love roller coaster of highs and lows, staying the course and bringing it home serves as proof, yet again, that even when others loose faith in you, think you won't succeed, tell you to give up, even offer you dollars to quit and leave your side because your goal seems too great, even impossible... that this disbelief is simply the view from their limited perspective and in no way reflects the reality of all that is actually possible.   - A. Maki

Moves to Make By Year-End

Your Charitable Giving Is Tax Deductible

If you’re looking for ways to cut your 2014 tax bill and do good at the same time, consider donating to non-profit charity Wild Love Preserve.

Besides giving cash to a non-profit charity, consider donating highly appreciated stock. You won’t owe capital gains taxes and can deduct the current value of the investment as a charitable gift. 

If over 70.5 years you can distribute a charitable gift from your IRA Fund and receive a tax-credit without incurring fees or federal taxes for distribution.

Click Here To Donate On-Line  or Mail Donation to Wild Love Preserve in form of check or money order dated no later then December 31, 2014.  Click Here For WLP Mailing Address

Special Thanks for Your Heart and Action. 100% of Your Donations Directly Benefit Preservation of Idaho’s Native Wild Horses and Habitat in Central Idaho.

You Make a Difference and are Deeply Appreciated.

It Takes A Village

In October 2012, prior to the Idaho Bureau of Land Management's Helicopter Roundup on the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) we created a "WLP Signatures of Support" Campaign in Ketchum, Idaho that read as follows:

"WILD LOVE PRESERVE IS ABOUT US ALL, A REFLECTION OF OUR HUMANITY. Founded April 2010, non-profit Wild Love Preserve addresses the Challis Wild Horses and HMA. The Wild Love Mission to protect native wild horses in their native habitat and nurture the legacy of this indigenous ecosystem on our public lands in a responsible, sustainable manner is multi-faceted, all-inclusive and in constant motion. Our action goes direct to the source in the wild as a fluid, ever-evolving, working solution to benefit the whole. While views differ, WLP's interest lies in finding common ground and working together to implement a new approach and reduce conflict between all parties involved. The time is prime, good will and energy abundant.

The overall intent of WLP's Regional and Sustainable Wild Horse Management Program is to collaboratively manage this native wild horse population in a humane, responsible manner that will no longer require federally funded helicopter roundups that result in removals and family displacement, at times loss of life, followed by transport to short, then long-term holding facilities - but instead nurture a healthy, genetically viable native herd and indigenous ecosystem for future generations to also experience, nurture and equally treasure.  Love is Action!"

From there our wild cup runneth over with appreciation as volunteer Team WLP rallied supporters big and small alike, resulting in tons of love for Wild Love Preserve and the Challis Wild Horses. Over 2000 “Signatures of Support” were collected the old fashion way with pen, paper, conversation and smiles, complimented further by awesome “I Ride For The Band™” drawings by the kids and the most wonderful custom baked wild horse and heart-shaped cookies donated by a local baker.    

This Love Action will forever be a deeply appreciated highlight in our wild travels. We thank everyone joining us, past, present and future, who chooses to make a lasting difference with their heart and action.

Challis Messenger, May 2014

"Wild Love Preserve: A New Paradigm for Wild Horses"

Feature in the Challis Messenger Annual Central Idaho Guide, May 22, 2014. Story By Renee Aucoin.

Click Here to Download PDF of Newspaper Story: "WLP - A NEW PARADIGM FOR WILD HORSES", Challis Messenger Annual Central Idaho Guide, May 2014

Andrea greeted by one of  Wild Love's 130 adopted Challis wild horses, and shedding his winter coat, May 2014.

Andrea greeted by one of  Wild Love's 130 adopted Challis wild horses, and shedding his winter coat, May 2014.

“Wild Love Preserve truly is the culmination of all the various paths that I’ve traveled for the past 47 years of my life,” Maki says.  “It’s about finding a new way to bring people together.  I believe that if you go in looking for a fight, you’re going to get a fight.  If you approach with kindness, compassion, understanding and interest in listening to various perspectives, whether you agree or not, eventually people will come together and you will find common ground.  I work with folks who I don’t necessarily have the same beliefs as me, but I find it very interesting and purposeful to listen to their history and their perspectives, taking all into account as this project has evolved, whether it be the ranchers, BLM or environmentalists.”  

- Andrea Maki from "Wild Love Preserve: A New Paradigm for Wild Horses", Challis Messenger Annual Central Idaho Guide, May 2014

Lakota Meaning of Maki

After a most enjoyable phone conversation at the end of July 2014, I was sent this Lakota Sioux meaning for Maki. For reasons dating back as far as I can remember in this lifetime, this definition resonates within and through and ripples beyond perpetually. Love. 

* * *

Maki (pronounced Ma-k-ha’) is the Lakota Sioux word for land, ground, or the firmament upon which all living things are born, nourished and returned. The Lakota hold such a high regard for earth that they call her Mother or Grandmother, and she is accorded highest honor, respect and love.

In prayer, Maki is recognized as the bearer and nourisher of all living things. In thought, she is viewed as an essential part of the Great Harmony; without her, life cannot be nourished. In reality, she is viewed as the basic support for all things known to life, thus she should not be owned, nor should she be injured, for to do so is to diminish her nourishing powers upon which life depends.  

The Lakota believe that of all living things concretely known to humankind, only Maki has a long life, but even she can be injured. Inevitably to injure her, is to injure life itself.

* * *

Special thanks for sharing, Butterfly.

Andrea Maki

 

A Note In Response

The following is relevant note from founder Andrea Maki dated  July 1, 2014.

Recently I was asked, “What’s in it for me?” I was told there are those who just can’t believe anyone could be so altruistic as to create a project and seek a unified solution to benefit wild horses and the whole without a personal agenda lurking behind the scenes. 

I understand that which was shared, however I also find it unfortunate. We are jaded for good reason in this current time, and it has become natural to question truth in kindness, compassion and action on behalf of the whole, as well assume ego is in play.

In my belief we are here to care for the whole, act with truth, kindness, respect, understanding and compassion without being plagued by ego.

When engaging with those of different beliefs, common ground can be found via kindness, respect and perseverance opening doors to further discussion. We can rise above drawn lines if we so choose. Truth, sincerity, accountability, integrity, follow through and compassion are traits of my life and a reflection of the way in which I was brought up.

No matter the ways of the outside, I will always take pride in walking my talk, acting my truth and being that which I personally prefer to see in terms of human co-existence. Love is action, and in truth we are one.

- Andrea Maki,  July 1, 2014

2014 Top-Rated GreatNonprofit Award

Fantastic News!  Wild Love Preserve is thrilled, deeply appreciative and honored to receive a 2014 Top-Rated GreatNonprofit Award following our 2013 Top-Rated status. 

Thank you, thank you to our supporters who took action by sharing their stories and experiences.  YOU make a difference in wild lives and native habitat today and for generations to come! 

Visit WLP at GreatNonprofits to read reviews and share your thoughts. 

Good Energy Surrounds, Andrea + Team WLP

Daring Greatly

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”  

-Theodore Roosevelt