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Velma Johnston: The Unsung Heroine Who Saved the Mustangs

Bo Cox

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Published in Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston And Her Fight To Save The Mustang

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Velma Johnston was a pioneering conservationist who dedicated her life to protecting the wild mustangs of the American West. Her tireless efforts helped to save these iconic animals from extinction and establish the Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971, which protects wild horses and burros on public lands.

Early Life and Inspiration

Velma Johnston was born in 1912 in Reno, Nevada. She grew up on a ranch in the high desert of the Great Basin, where she developed a deep love for the land and its wildlife. As a young girl, she witnessed the devastating impact of livestock grazing on the fragile desert ecosystem. She also saw firsthand the plight of the wild mustangs, which were being rounded up and slaughtered by the thousands.

Wild Horse Annie: Velma Johnston and Her Fight to Save the Mustang

by Alan J. Kania

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	227 pages

Johnston's compassion for the mustangs led her to become involved in the conservation movement. In the 1950s, she joined the Nevada State Cattle Association, where she lobbied against the indiscriminate killing of mustangs. She also worked with other conservationists to establish the Mustang Protection League, which advocated for the protection of wild horses and burros.

Fighting for the Mustangs

In the 1960s, Johnston's efforts took on a new urgency. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM),which was responsible for managing public lands, began a massive roundup of mustangs. The BLM claimed that the mustangs were damaging the range and competing with livestock for forage. Johnston and other conservationists argued that the BLM's claims were exaggerated and that the mustangs were an important part of the Western ecosystem.

Johnston's advocacy for the mustangs caught the attention of the media and the public. She appeared on national television and radio programs, and she wrote numerous articles and letters to newspapers and magazines. Her tireless efforts helped to raise awareness about the plight of the mustangs and build support for their protection.

The Wild Horse and Burro Act

In 1971, Johnston's efforts culminated in the passage of the Wild Horse and Burro Act. This landmark legislation declared that wild horses and burros are "living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West" and protected them from being killed or harassed on public lands.

The Wild Horse and Burro Act was a major victory for Johnston and the conservation movement. It ensured that the wild mustangs would continue to roam the American West for generations to come.

Legacy

Velma Johnston died in 2004, but her legacy lives on. She is remembered as one of the most influential conservationists of the 20th century. Her work helped to save the wild mustangs from extinction and establish the Wild Horse and Burro Act, which continues to protect these iconic animals today.

Johnston's story is a reminder of the power of one person to make a difference. Her tireless advocacy for the mustangs helped to change the course of history and ensure that these majestic animals will continue to grace the American West for generations to come.

Additional Information

To learn more about Velma Johnston and her work, visit the Velma Johnston Memorial Foundation website: https://www.velmajohnstonmemorial.org/
To learn more about the Wild Horse and Burro Act, visit the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro