Wild horse advocate to speak at Monday's Democratic luncheon

The featured speaker at Monday's Democratic luncheon will be biologist Craig Downer, who will explain with specificity why he strongly supports SB90, a bill which designates the wild mustang as the official state horse of the State of Nevada.

The Legislative Counsel’s digest of SB90 states: "Existing law designates numerous state emblems, including, without limitation, a state bird, state insect, state reptile, state animal, state fish and others. This bill designates the wild mustang as the official state horse of the State of Nevada."

The body of the bill reads as follows:

WHEREAS, Wild mustangs are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the American West; and

WHEREAS, Nevada is home to more than one-half of the wild mustang population in the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, The wild mustang is a symbol associated with Nevada and has contributed to the history and culture of the State of Nevada; and

WHEREAS, The wild mustang is emblazoned on the Nevada commemorative quarter-dollar coin for the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, The Virginia Range of Nevada serves as one of the largest humane management programs for wild mustangs; and

WHEREAS, The wild mustang of the Virginia Range inspired the work of “Wild Horse Annie” (Velma Johnston), who advocated for the protection and humane management of wild horses across the West and assisted in the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971; and

WHEREAS, The wild mustang is a natural resource of the State of Nevada and has the potential to promote tourism and job creation in the State; now, therefore,

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter 235 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:

The animal known as the wild mustang is hereby designated as the official state horse of the State of Nevada.

As used in this section, “wild mustang” means:

(a) A free-roaming horse that meets the definition of a “wild free-roaming horse or burro,” as set forth in the Wild Free Roaming Horses and Burros Act, U.S.C. §§ 1331 et seq.; or

(b) A free-roaming horse in the Virginia Range area of the State that has no brand or other mark to indicate ownership of the horse.

Sec. 2. This act becomes effective on July 1, 2023.

Over the years, Craig Downer has collected data from more than fifty herd management areas, and supplied the BLM and the public with valuable research based on hundreds of scientifically based ecological evaluations.

Downer has also composed a reserve design proposal for the restoration of wild horse herds at viable population levels, permitting them to adapt beneficially and harmoniously in multi-species habitats and stabilizing populations through intelligent employment of the sound reserve design principles. Through his public advocacy, he hopes to raise awareness that mustangs are native to North America and beneficial to its environment.

Craig Downer earned his Master of Science degree in Biology from the University of Nevada-Reno, with a specialization in wildlife ecology. He received excellent grades in all courses required for a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology at the University of Kansas-Lawrence, then went to England for work as a PhD candidate at the University of Durham, where he conducted a doctoral field study in Equador's Sangay National Park, where he became the first biologist ever to capture, radio collar, release and track the illusive Andean Tapir.

Downer's pioneering field work included radio telemetry for endangered mountain tapirs, both in Sangay National Park and throughout Ecuador and other northern Andean countries. As President of the Andean Tapir Fund and Wild Horse and Burro Fund, that work has been expanded through coordination of broad based efforts to save all species of odd toed ungulates and their habitat, including the wild horses and burros of North America. Craig's efforts include giving talks, making field trips, and compiling reports complete with videos and photographs.

Downer is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC). He wrote an action plan and species description for the endangered Andean Tapir for the IUCN SSC Tapir Specialist Group. He is an advisor to IUCN SSC’s Equine Specialist Group. He is a member of the American Society of Mammologists, and co-author of their special Mammalian Species Mountain Tapir publication.

Craig Downer was a friend and associate of the legendary Wild Horse Annie, with whom he engaged in public advocacy projects. He authored several wild horse books, including Wild Horse Conspiracy, America’s Wild Horses & Burros Must Make a Comeback, and Wild Horses: Living Symbols of Freedom. He has also authored numerous articles about wild horses and burros, mountain tapirs, wilderness areas and parks. He composed and recorded on CD the 45-minute Wild Horse Rhapsody for piano. He also composed Streams of the Soul, a 341-page book of poetry. He maintains two educational websites at thewildhorseconspiracy.org and andeantapirfund.com.

A lifelong ecologist and humanitarian, Craig Downer has stated his objectives to be a major revaluing of wild animals and their special place in the natural world wherever they occur, as well as broad policy shifts that promote more harmonious and natural lifestyles among all elements of human society.

Sponsored by the Democratic Men's Committee, this event is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Monday, May 22nd, and may be attended in person at Black Bear Diner, inside Max Casino, or online via Zoom.

Craig Downer will take the floor after all the lunch orders have been taken, around 1:30 PM. Those wishing to be on distribution for luncheon Zoom links should contact Rich Dunn at richdunn@aol.com.