Wild horse ecologist Craig Downer featured at Monday's Carson City Democratic luncheon
The featured speaker at Carson City's June 14th Democratic luncheon will be wild horse and burro ecologist and biologist Craig Downer. His appearance follows on from the extended presentation on climate change he gave at the April 26th tele-luncheon, when there was insufficient time to summarize the points made or engage in a question and answer session with in-person attendees and those who took advantage of the full-length, on-demand video recording. All those seeking such clarifications are encouraged to attend.
Over the years, Craig 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. He 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 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.
Craig 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 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 many 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 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 noon on Monday, June 14th, and will be held both in person at Carson City Democratic headquarters, 502 E John St. and online via Zoom teleconference. Those wishing to be on distribution for these Zoom links should email Rich Dunn, Men's Committee Events Coordinator, at richdunn@aol.com.
- Carson City
- Andean Tapir
- Andean Tapir Fund
- Announcements
- Biologist
- BLM
- burro
- climate change
- Craig Downer
- Democratic Men's Committee
- ecologist
- Equador
- herd management areas
- mustangs
- odd toed ungulates
- reserve design
- Rich Dunn
- Sangay National Park
- Streams of the Soul
- University of Durham
- University of Kansas-Lawrence
- University of Nevada-Reno
- Wild Horse
- Wild Horse and Burro Fund
- Wild Horse Annie
- Wild Horse Conspiracy
- Wild Horse Rhapsody
- Zoom