WildEarth Guardians could not function without the dedication and determination of people like you. These Guardians have gone above and beyond to protect the West’s wildlife and wild places—share your story with us, "Why are you a Guardian of the wild?"

It was thanks to WildEarth Guardians that I first learned about the cruelty and utmost disregard with which the USDA's Wildlife Services treats animals. I'm very passionate about Guardians' campaign to expose Wildlife Services crimes, to show people that our tax money gets spent in ways none of us would ever approve of, and to demand that this be changed. I want this campaign to succeed and reach its goal, and thus I will support and help it in any way I can.

~ Maria Arefieva, Colorado Springs, Colorado

I’m thrilled to be interning with WildEarth Guardians. Currently working on law school applications, I’m grateful for the exposure to see how and why strategic policies and grassroots efforts are so vital to preserving the Earth’s resources and natural treasures. All of the campaigns are well designed, thoughtful, and effective, and I’m so lucky to gain experience and work alongside such passionate and intelligent thinkers, doers, and hard-workers.

~ Sophia Coury, Tulsa, Oklahoma

I'm a full-time wildlife photographer and biologist focused on promoting effective conservation organizations and causes. I channel my support to groups that effectively blend a science-based approach to ecosystem health with strong public awareness and outreach programs. And that's why I believe in and support WildEarth Guardians - they're effective and passionate about preserving wildlife, wild rivers, and wild places!

~ Brad Hill, British Columbia

“Stories in Guardians’ newsletters often make me angry. And it feels darn good to get stirred up over wolves, and coyotes, and birds, and clean air and water. Guardians takes a gutsy stand on these issues. They don’t just write op-ed pieces, they get into the ring and fight it out. In a recent Frontline, Guardians had the courage to out the “he-men” of USDA’s Wildlife Service’s predator control unit, men who “controlled” coyotes not by clean-kills but through butchery and sadomasochistic practices against wild animals. What sort of men could (and would) do this? And my tax dollars are paying them to do it! I was angry. I was appalled. I took action. I don’t know of any other environmental group working this hard.”

~ Dave Thomas, Ogden, Utah

Dr. Ronald Loehman loves rivers, hiking and fly fishing.  He also understands how rare those habitats are and has see how easily they can be degraded by overuse. This love lead Loehman from observation to action—he went from merely observing riparian systems to deciding to do something to repair the damaged ones and to work to protect those that are still in good condition.  Loehman has done hands on restoration work and supported Guardians and several other groups to successfully protecting Outstanding waters in New Mexico by gathering support and testifying before the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) for Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) status for the headwater streams in New Mexico’s wilderness areas.

~ Ronald Loehman, Wild River activist, Albuquerque, NM

"For the last seven years I have worked in the Florida everglades restoring habitat for wildlife. Currently I am engaged in coral reef conservation on the island of Cozumel, Mexico, and busy defending the island's last jungle habitat. I support WildEarth Guardians because they care for the preservation of biodiversity and are effectively working to preserve our natural resourses."

~ German R. Mendez, activist, Cozumel, MX

"We all need to be guardians and protectors of the planet and living things upon it. Wild animals and ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Left unchecked greedy corporate interests will kill every last plant and animal, pollute the waters and air, and even drill into the earth itself to satisfy their hunger for profits. It is up to us to stop the abuse."

~ Kathleen Hopkins, activist, Oakland, CA

Charles Fox has been a Guardian since 2005 and is committed to seeing an end to animal trapping. Ask Charles about his food choices and he’ll tell you, “knowing what you’re eating is probably one of the most important ways of relating with the world!" The relationship between what we eat and public lands policy, and the impact of public lands policies on wildlife, clearly inspires his food choices. He encourages people to learn where their food comes from, especially beef, since ranchers often don't coexist with wildlife and when this happens, wildlife, especially carnivores like coyotes and wolves lose.

~ Charles Fox, Web Designer, Santa Fe, NM

Colorado Attorney Randy Barnhart provides pro bono legal services to WildEarth Guardians. Randy allows his Associate Attorney, Melissa Hailey to work hundreds of hours on our lawsuits. Currently these cases include one against New Mexico for allowing trapping of endangered Mexican wolves and one against Nevada for allowing excessive air pollution—fouling the views at the Grand Canyon and Zion national parks. Randy has supported Guardians as part of his, "commitment that people live in a world of biodiversity and vibrant ecosystems."

~ Randy Barnhart, Attorney, Denver, CO

Robert Ukeiley supports WildEarth Guardians because of our efforts to power the nation past coal. "It’s so hard to witness the devastation that climate change is causing. Out of control wildfires, extreme heat, drought-stricken streams—it’s a stark reminder of the urgent crisis we face."

~ Robert Ukeiley, Attorney, Berea, KY

"We support WildEarth Guardians and their Stream Team campaign to protect and restore our rivers in the American West, like the Santa Fe River. We are thankful for their work."

~ Karen Powelson & Jean-Francois Chabaud, Owners of Potomac Garage Solutions, Santa Fe, NM

"We are grateful that a group as strong, focused and sincere as WildEarth exists in our community. We are both strongly committed to supporting the Guardians to ensure that our forests and widlife are protected and alive for future generations."

~ Sean and Kristen Gabriel, Owners of Santa Fe EcoWood, Santa Fe, NM

"I am so glad to be associated in a small way supporting the work of WildEarth Guardians. They are an organization on the cutting edge of preserving The Commons we all share and must safeguard in the Western States." 

~ Jean and Henry Kroll, Prairie Dog Day activists, Boulder, CO

"Living in the midst of 12 coal-fired boilers here in North Dakota gives you some perspective.  I've farmed my whole life in Washburn near the MIssouri River, raised a family, and enjoyed the beauty of this state.  But more than three decades ago I realized what these coal-fired power plants were doing to our air, our water, and our communities.  Asthma, heart disease, and other ailments seem to be the norm these days.  Clear skies, healthy and happy families, and fresh air seem to be a thing of the past.  I'm sick of it and I'm sick of the fact that the coal industry gets away with this.  Our children deserve better and North Dakota deserves better.  That's why I've taken it upon myself to speak out on the impacts of coal and to do everything I can to make things better.  The future is ours to shape and I tell you, I'm not stopping until our future is nothing but clean air."

~ Dennis Kost, Cimate activist, Washburn, ND

From the moment Walter “Ski” Skymanski discovered that New Mexico permits trapping of public wildlife, he dedicated himself to its elimination.  He successfully wrote a formal resolution calling for the banning of trapping on public lands in NM and got the resolution passed through the Town of Silver City. Now, a year and one-half later eight additional NM municipalities, counties and other government bodies have also approved resolutions calling for a ban on trapping on public lands. Ski will not rest until the governor and state game commissioners banish trapping in New Mexico. We salute Ski for his efforts to end cruel traps on public lands.

~ Walter Skymanski, Trap-ban activist, Silver City, NM

Intrigued with solar since high school Bart Sheldrake, along with his wife Whitney Painter, started Buglet Solar as a way to promote renewable energy and save the planet. Early 2011 they installed a system for WildEarth Guardians' Climate and Energy Program Director Jeremy Nichols. For Guardians' Howling Affair in Denver 2011, Buglet Solar donated a lifetime of renewable energy with a 30% system discount. Thank you Bart and Whitney - for making renewables doable.

~ Bart Sheldrake & Whitney Painter, Owners of Buglet Solar, Golden, CO

“Our small group of Telluride locals share a passion for the preservation of biodiversity and an appreciation for the role of the indigenous Gunnison's prairie dog in Telluride. We have been working for over 5 years to educate local folks about the importance of allowing the prairie dogs to exist without "management."  In late 2010, a proposal was made to begin poisoning prairie dogs that had advanced beyond an arbitrary boundary. Thanks to the superb help of WildEarth Guradians, our little group of prairie dog advocates was able to sway the council members to unanimously shelf the poisoning plans.  We are grateful to WildEarth Guardians for helping us win this victory.”

~ Amy Cannon, Jerry Davidian, Ramona Gaylord, Dan Chancellor, & Carol Black, Prairie Dog advocates,  Telluride, CO

"When I moved to Denver I was looking for worthy non profits to lend my volunteer time and passion to. A friend recommended WildEarth Guardians who welcomed me warmly. I began helping out first with the Denver gala and the volunteer opportunities from there had a snowball effect for me. I shortly realized all of the great work that WildEarth Guardians is doing to protect all of the things that I hold close to my heart and volunteering for such a great non profit became a perfect fit for me."

~ Erin Collins, Howling Affair volunteer, Denver, CO

"I worked at the University of Delaware as Associate Director of Student Systems for 17 years before retiring.  I started volunteering for WildEarth Guardians in the summer of 2010. My background with computers made it easy for me to take on projects, like updating the WildEarth Guardians website species content and posting daily news in their In the News section. I enjoy volunteering for WildEarth Guardians because it is another small way that I can contribute to saving the planet in addition to what I do at home, like recycling and composting.  I am most passionate about WildEarth Guardians climate and energy campaign.”

~ Susan Cover, Guardians volunteer, Santa Fe, NM

"As a child growing up in the San Francisco bay area, I saw the wild places I roamed bulldozed for housing developments and eventually I saw the small wildlife species like toads and lizards that were plentiful in my neighborhood slowly disappear. I see the same thing happening in Colorado and am especially saddened by the toll it’s taking on prairie dogs. I strive to educate my friends and neighbors about how important prairie dogs are to their ecosystem. People here enjoy seeing foxes or hawks in their neighborhood, but they often don’t realize that those species rely greatly on prey like prairie dogs to survive. Since moving to Colorado, I’ve been active in supporting Sinapu and now WildEarth Guardians in their efforts to protect large carnivores and their habitat. As a singer-songwriter, I lend my talents whenever I can to help support organizations that are doing the important work of protecting wildlife and the environment."

~ Trinity Demask, Singer Songwriter, Arvada, CO