Horsetalk Magazine

Sharing a nice treat: Wild Love Preserve and our work in Central Idaho featured in Horsetalk International Magazine out of New Zealand.  

Read Story:  "Call of the Wild Horses in Idaho: Preserving of an American Icon"

"By design, WLP's collaborative conservation efforts offer a feasible option to existing BLM helicopter roundups, integrate total range health, balance with indigenous wildlife, and livestock where applicable.”  -Andrea Maki

Sustainable management, saving wild lives, indigenous habitat and tax dollars are very doable and where it's at, public support makes a lasting difference.  Thank you for joining with us.

Read Full Story: http://bit.ly/1UFypAr

American Heritage

As we observe July 4, we recognize a key figure in our history. The iconic wild mustang is pure Americana, symbolizing unbridled freedom, power, determination, and the Wild West. Our wildness resonates deep within and is essential to our whole, we would be amiss without it. Wild Love Preserve's preservation of this American icon speaks to our greater good and collective well-being by way of bridging divides and bringing stakeholders together in a new light.

Located in Central Idaho, the Challis Herd Management Area (HMA) is home to numerous bands of the Challis Wild Horse Herd. This unique expanse of multi-use public land encompasses 154,150 acres of high desert wilderness rich in native wildlife and habitat, outdoor recreation and connection, as well as grazing allotments for livestock. While there exists a mixed array of wild horse bloodlines and regional history, our universal evolution reveals that the North American continent is the original birthplace of equus, making wild horses a native species. Most notable being the Hagerman Horse of Idaho.

The Hagerman Horse is a North American species of equid from the Pliocene and Pleistocene periods, first appearing 3.5 million years ago. Hagerman fossils, discovered in 1928 by an Idaho rancher, represent the oldest widely-accepted remains of the genus Equus and are proudlyrecognized as the State Fossil of Idaho. Prior to the extinction of North American horses 10,000 years ago, many wild horses had drifted across the Bering Land Bridge to Eurasia, proving advantageous for man. The horse’s return to indigenous soil came with European explorers by sea. The horse has been instrumental in humankind’s survival and development and in turn we owe great respect, gratitude and debt to our counterpart, Horse.

Founded in 2010 by contemporary visual artist Andrea Maki, Wild Love Preserve (WLP) engages public and private lands to address all facets of regional wild horse conservation on home turf in Central Idaho; from collaborative work on the range to adopting/purchasing Challis, Idaho wild horses permanently removed from public lands by the Bureau of Land Management to remain together on WLP wild expanse in the region. Currently there are approximately 200 wild horses on the Challis HMA, while WLP has 130. Since 2013, WLP programs have saved American taxpayers $7.5 million dollars, and greatly benefitted local economy. Non-profit WLP is supported by private grants and donations.

Viewed as a paradigm project, the mission of Wild Love Preserve is to protect and preserve native wild horses in their native environments and nurture the legacy of respective indigenous ecosystems as an interconnected whole, in a collaborative, responsible and sustainable manner with regional engagement and benefit. Kindness, mutual respect, science and education are paramount. By design, collaborative conservation efforts offer a viable option to BLM helicopter roundups, integrate total range health, collective harmony and co-existence with native wildlife, livestock where applicable, and all stakeholders. We invite you to learn more and thank you for your consideration in joining with us, your contribution has immediate and lasting impact in the work that we do on behalf of this American Icon.

See story as published in The Dodo: Celebrating Our Wild American Heritage on July 4

Read story in Horsetalk Magazine: "Call of he Wild: Preserving an American Icon"

White Light

On a warm summer eve... Free. Wild. Hearts. 

Video filmed and produced by Andrea Maki. ©Andrea Maki 2015

As result of Wild Love Preserve’s collaborative efforts in working with the Challis/Idaho BLM and bringing stakeholder’s together in a new light, we've seen multiple wild success stories with the Challis Wild Horses over the last five years and are incredibly appreciative of those participating. 

In 2010 our work began on the range with two wild bands. This is a current video of one of them: the White Mask Stallion, his leading lady Shawnee, Teo, Arapaho, Cochise and her yearling Mojo (with White Mask Stallion). Noticeably missing however is Cochise's other offspring, and Mojo's big brother, two-year old (Little) Red and the son of the magnificent Wild Red Stallion. 

Earlier this June the White Mask Stallion, who assumed Wild Red’s band in 2013 after Wild Red succumbed to injuries defending his family from intruding wild bachelors, sent (Little) Red on his way after running him tired for a couple days. There was no room for two main attractions. 

While no surprise, still, we are sad to see Red go so soon, but this is the way of the wild.

Red, a mirrored reflection of Wild Red, is a born leader inside and out. There’s no doubt he will return in the future as a powerhouse band leader. Fiery, proud and magnificent in his own right, carrying on a legacy of unfettered wildness.

So, until we meet again, Red... much wild love to you on your life's journey.

Twinkle, Twinkle

Twinkle, twinkle, wild star... Last month, on the first day of May, we welcomed Twinkle back to the wild side. She hit the ground running and it took her no time at all to find her place in Kodiak's band. We're over the moon to have her to join us!

Twinkle was part of the 2009 Challis Roundup and adopted as a yearling. While she found a very good and loving home that worked with her over the last 6 years, at the end of the day her wild instincts ruled and they just couldn't get the "buck" out of her. We got the call and were happy to welcome her back to the wild side to bond and live out her life with the rest of our 130 WLP Challis/Idaho wilds, doing what wilds do, kicking up her heels, running like the wind and all that good, wild stuff!

Video ©Andrea Maki 2015

We got the call and were happy to welcome her back to the wild side to bond and live out her life with the rest of our 130 WLP Challis/Idaho wilds, doing what wilds do, kicking up her heels, running like the wind and all that good, wild stuff!

WELCOME BACK TO THE WILD SIDE TWINKLE!

Our 130 Thundering Wilds

Feel it! Forever saved to remain together and run wild on home turf in Central Idaho: Wild Love Preserve's 130 thundering Idaho Wilds. Their awe-inspiring power, beauty and magnificence leaves one breathless. The ground rumbles as their thundering hooves resonate deep within our cores. Speechless reverence. Electrifying wildness... and our favorite Cowboy!

Video ©Andrea Maki 2015

As result of the 2012 Challis Idaho Helicopter Roundup, Project Wild Love Preserve purchased and adopted all available wild horses removed from the Challis Herd Management Area in 2012-13 by way of bringing all stakeholders together in a new light. Subsequently not one Idaho Wild was shipped out of state to longterm holding facilities at taxpayer expense. We removed these wilds from the taxpayer system to permanently remain wild and together on private WLP wild expanse on home turf. 

In addition to saving these 130 Challis Idaho wild lives in a lasting manner, WLP has saved American taxpayers $3.5 million dollars via our work on and off the range since 2013. Nonprofit Wild Love Preserve is privately funded by donors and grants, not government subsidies. We welcome those interested in making a difference on the wild side to learn more and donate today. Thank you for joining with us.

Video ©2015 Andrea Maki

SPECIAL THANKS FOR JOINING US WITH YOUR DONATION. YOU MATTER.

Wild Play

Tis the season of hot high-desert days, refreshing summer rains, bird-songs and wild play. While WLP Littles born in 2013 aren’t so little anymore, they are still full of mischief, spunk and love to play like all kids do. A most favorite game with our two year olds is to chase, nip and drop one another to their knees. Endless fun on the wild side that makes for universal entertainment!

Video ©Andrea Maki 2015

 

Zane Grey

On June 10 we were thrilled to welcome this Challis Yearling from the 2012 Roundup back into the fold with our 130 WLP Wilds on the wild side. He was adopted by a regional couple in 2013 however didn't find interest in reeling in his young wild heart and ways. Since his return we have witnessed happy reunions with his mom, Challis family and friends. Here is Zane Grey stepping out of trailer and some initial meet and greets. Happy days and wild futures abound!

Video ©2015 Andrea Maki

Wild Scout

Today we welcome another Challis Wild from the 2009 Challis Roundup back to the wild side. As you can see Scout is quite a looker... and as it should turn out he was not interested in leaving his wild ways behind. Today marks the next phase of his life: back to the wild side with our 130 WLP wilds and many of his wild Challis friends and family from days gone by. Happy reunions, lasting bonds and forever together on WLP wild expanse in his home territory. It is a good day.

If you would like to support our work in wild preservation, visit:  Ride For The Band™

Responsibility vs Passion

Often, in this life, we encounter those under the self-created impression they are already in the know, or in fact, know everything. Aside from it simply not being possible to know everything, folks of this mind-state are at times the least informed because they stand in their own way, blocking their own channels of receiving and further expansion of thought and being.

Society loves to create a one-size-fits-all box, label it, and assume it to be the "catch-all" for ease and filing purposes. However, that reflects society, not necessarily reality.

In this day of quick to assume labels, my actions have frequently been boxed up as passion-based. The presumption being that Wild Love Preserve is merely a personal “project of passion" singularly focused on wild horses, instead of those same ears listening, and recognizing their reflections equally exist in this hand-mirror of humanity. While they may commend my passion, they sidestep Wild Love Preserve's actual truth in being, and that this is an environmental shift project, centering squarely on mankind's interrelation to the whole.

Passion is wonderful. It is to be honored, respected, and nurtured. However, Wild Love Preserve speaks to cause and effect, and our responsibility to the sustainable well-being of wild environments in a factual regard. Human beings have created a condition which we must in turn acknowledge and address in a responsible, all-encompassing manner. This is not someone's else's problem to fix, nor is it in our distant backyards. This is at our front porch and impacts every one of us directly, whether you are aware of this fact or not.

Passion is not the nucleus of this wild project, but rather, and by design, Wild Love Preserve is firmly rooted in two-legged accountability in relation to the current and lasting health of our existence and operations. This wild mirror reflects each of us, the integrity of our humanity, our past, present and futures.  

•

passion |ˈpaSHən|, noun

a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something

responsibility |riˌspänsəˈbilətē|, noun

something that you should do because it is morally right, legally required, a moral obligation to behave correctly toward or in respect of others

•

- Andrea Maki

“Wild Love Preserve is not but a mere project of passion, this is a human accountability project. I, and accordingly Wild Love Preserve, are committed to the greater good of our wild planet, now and for the well-being of future generations. Project WLP centers upon humanity, sustainability, two-legged accountability and our responsibility to the whole.”
— Andrea Maki, Inception of Wild Love Preserve 2010

PJ Activism

Big Shout Out and Thank You's to Pearl Jam Activism, Stone Gossard and Pearl Jam for joining with Wild Love Preserve in our mission to nurture the lasting legacy of our iconic wild horses and their indigenous ecosystems as a whole! Your support and action from the start have been instrumental to our work and will be forever appreciated! 

Big Hearts and Big Action Making a Big Difference on the Wild Side!

Earth Day

Special Shout Out to Our Friend Denis Hayes, Founder of Earth Day - You are Appreciated! 

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Thank You all for joining with us in our work to care for the whole and nurture lasting wildness across the board. To walk this earth plane comes with a responsibility to be accountable to the environment and ALL living beings. Indeed we are stewards of this Planet Earth. 

Be Kind. Spread Love. Shine Bright. Be One. Our Greatest Strength is in Unity. You Matter!

The Rabbit Hole

Recently I received a kind invitation to write a Guest Blog from Author Linda Lee Kane. As we celebrate our 5th Year Anniversary the following post is the upshot of that invitational.  - A. Maki

The Rabbit Hole

Amid the passage of time, I feel all the more fortunate to have been born in 1966, and all the more appreciative of my family roots and paths traveled. Wild Love Preserve is a life story and a story of life, reflecting our humanity, our interconnectedness, the continuum and our responsibility to the whole. This project connects dots as it mirrors my being, my truth, and my art. As in life, people come and go, interpret and mis-interpret, and make presumptions based on their own stories versus hearing new truths. There is calm, and there are wildfires. One constant remains a beacon: staying the course no matter the surrounding waters. As with any truth in being, a project of this nature requires one to man the ship no matter the storm, what others think or say, do or don’t do. At the end of the day, the voice which resides within one's core is the absolute compass to follow.

As founder of nonprofit Wild Love Preserve, I am delighted to recognize our 5th Year Anniversary and express appreciation for those who have supported this project in a multitude of ways. Down the rabbit hole I went five years ago, unsuspecting of the depths that lie ahead as result of keeping my word with Idaho wilds that happened upon my path. At that time I welcomed a momentary distraction from multiple years in hospitals with my mom. I had imagined my assist to be a quick turn around, however, this trajectory organically evolved into what has become a monumental project. I have been pleasantly surprised to find support often comes from the opposite end of the spectrum, and equally surprised by the cutthroat behavior of the least suspecting. 

As an only child, I grew up an observer and a sharer. Even as a shy small child, I always spoke up when it came to justness and was raised to help others without need to chat about it. Being accountable to the whole is simply an everyday way of being, and I count myself lucky that animals of all kinds have always known to cross my path when in need of a hand, as my day will turn on a dime to assist. That said, my preferred low-key ways were no match for the scale of Wild Love Preserve, requiring me to step out of my quiet comfort zone. My pockets alone are not deep enough to implement all facets of this lasting wild project, however of the countless challenges faced, receiving assistance in fundraising has proven the greatest hurdle. All things purposeful, project delays are easily remedied upon infusion of funding because we have remained in constant motion, logistics aligned within a solid  foundation.

Project Wild Love Preserve (WLP) engages public and private lands to address all facets of regional wild horse conservation on home turf in Central Idaho, from our adopted 130 Challis/Idaho wilds to collaborative work on the range. From the onset we have been boots on the ground and face to face with all stakeholders, charting new territory on behalf of the whole. Extreme divides at one time thought insurmountable have been bridged, and a new and ever-evolving norm now exists which requires continued perseverance and due diligence.

The WLP mission remains steadfast in our work to protect and preserve native wild horses in their native environment and nurture the legacy of respective indigenous ecosystems as a whole, in a responsible and sustainable manner with regional engagement and benefit. All is interconnected - kindness, mutual respect, science, and education are paramount. As result of our adoption project in 2012-13 and collaborative work on the range we have not only saved wild lives, we have saved American taxpayers $3.5 million dollars since 2013.

Often the “fight” is considered the only true means of stating one’s case and demanding change. To that, finding common ground should not be mistaken as weakness nor defeat by any means, in fact, it requires great resolve to establish working relations among differing views and intense adversity. While naysayers have been ever-present since inception, from the onset Wild Love Preserve has chosen a path of bridging divides and bringing stakeholders together in a new light, offering a fresh way of daily being, much needed collective harmony and co-existence. It takes a village to implement lasting positive change and many of those original naysayers have since taken to following WLP’s lead. Together we can rise above drawn lines if we so choose. 

In closing, wild horses are not voiceless. All animals have a voice. The problem lies in human beings opening their minds, hearts and ears to listen. Animals are our teachers, and man has much to learn. The misguided belief that man sits atop a pyramid of life, superior to all else, has brought us to the overall state we are in today. Many are disconnected, concerned only with their own immediate needs and desires. They fall short of understanding that two-leggeds are but a mere part of the whole, and that within that whole lies a very delicate balance which must be respected and nurtured, now and for the well-being of future generations.

In truth, the magic of life lies within a sacred circle and it is our responsibility to act accordingly on behalf of our collective greater good. To walk this planet earth must never be taken for granted.

- Andrea Maki, April 2015

OUR 5TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Flashback Friday

Following the 2002-03 "Spirit of One" Arctic Calendar to promote support and awareness for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska after adventures there in 2002, 2005-06 brought production of the "In The Spirit of One -To Save the Wild Horses" B&W Calendar to promote support and awareness for our iconic wild horses.

Animal Welfare Institute kindly assisted in hand deliveries to all of Congress (555 Calendars), January 2006

Alaska Wilderness League kindly assisted in hand deliveries to all of Congress (555 Calendars), January 2003

12" Square Formats. All Content © Andrea Maki + www.andreamaki.com


See Ya On The Wild Side!

Spring-Fall Wild Horse Adventures 2015: Another Wild Season Is Upon Us!

We Invite You To Come, Experience The Wilds of Central Idaho - Challis Wild Horse Country, Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, The Pahsimeroi and Little Lost River Valley. 

Book your wild adventures today for the experience of a lifetime! Visit WILD ADVENTURES for details and we'll see ya' on the wild side!