Mission: The cloud foundation (tcf) is dedicated to the preservation of wild horses and burros on public lands in the american west with special emphasis on genetically unique, isolated herds like cloud's herd in the pryor mountains of montana.
Programs: The cloud foundation executive director, ginger kathrens, is regularly invited to speak at national and international meetings and conferences advocating the preservation of wild horses and burros. The foundation has been featured on abc, nbc, cnn, and pbs, educating a national audience about the need to preserve wild horses and burros. Tcf attends bureau of land management (blm) national meetings regarding the management of wild horses and burros. Kathrens and other tcf board members give public comment on the need to reform the management of wild horses and burros both on the range and in captivity. Tcf comments on all environmental assessments, which deal with the planned removal of wild horses and burros from public lands. Tcf director kathrens writes articles for national and international publications on the issue. Tcf speaks at schools, creates educational materials, and produces educational videos and still presentations regarding wild horses and burros. Tcf collaborates with other organizations to promote the protection of wild horses and burros.
since its inception (2005) tcf has directly rescued dozens of mustangs that were bound for dirt holding areas managed by the government or were on their way to killer buyer auctions. The foundation has facilitated the adoption and purchase of dozens of other once wild horses. Tcf has provided training or retraining of once adopted wild horses that were subsequently rescued either directly or indirectly by tcf. Tcf maintains two family bands of wild horses on privately owned, leased pastures in montana. These "freedom family" wild horses live much like they did on the pryor mountains. Tcf provides scheduled visits to see the freedom families for purposes of photography and education about the behavior and complex social interactions of wild horses.
tcf has, since its inception (2005), legally challenged the blm in the pryor mountains of montana to reduce excessive removal of wild horses; actions which tcf argues threaten the genetic viability and long-term survival of this unique spanish herd. Tcf is awaiting the verdict in their current suit against both blm and the u. S. Forest service in which tcf argues that the current boundary of the pryor wild horse range must be expanded so that the herd can utilize grazing that the herd has traditionally used for hundreds of years. Tcf successfully petitioned the court to become an intervenor on behalf of wild horse herds in southern wyoming, which are scheduled for elimination by the blm in 2013 and 2014. In addition, tcf is or has participated in lawsuits to preserve wild horse herds in colorado, nevada, and oregon. Tcf and others were successful in preventing the elimination of the historic west douglas creek horse herd in northwestern colorado
No foundation has worked as tireless as this; ensuring that healthy horses are living on healthy ranges despite the obstacles put in place by government and other interests for American's lands. The board members are all volunteers and contribute to the local economy and sustenance of every herd management area. Continual efforts are put forth by this board and it's executive director, Ginger Kathrens despite that horror that free AND captured mustangs face.
The Cloud Foundation is working tirelessly to preserve a "living" chapter of America's history. . . our rapidly decreasing number of wild horses roaming free on their designated, ever diminishing public lands. TCF strives to raise awareness and educate on all fronts including classrooms, the media, lawmakers, and presents at multiple out reach venues every year. This foundation collaborates with other organizations and operates on one of the lowest administrative cost ratios I've ever encountered, meaning the $ goes for the wild horses' protection and good.
Supporting the Cloud Foundation is a sure way to make sure that your dollars are going directly to the cause. The work that The Cloud Foundation does is amazing and although small, they have made a global impact and bettered the lives of wild horses in the wild as well as helping to get those in captivity into better situations. The American Wild Horse is a living piece of our history and an amazing part of their varied ecosystems.
Without the Cloud Foundation the great mustangs would not be as well known nor as protected. Supporting The Cloud Foundation is the best way to make sure your dollars go to wild horse preservation and protection.
As a former staff member, I can attest to the honesty and reputability of this organization. Please help TCF to help our wild horses!
After spending several days stomping around in the Pryor Mt mustang range, I came away with amazement and gratitude for the work The Cloud Foundation does. The foundation is committed to the preservation of the mustangs by educating the public and building relationships with those who have the power to save the Mustangs. There is nothing like early morning next to a spring fed watering hole and watching the horse families come to drink. Learning about Mustang behaviors and their lineage from foundation members who volunteer time to document and preserve the rich Mustang history and their connection to our own history is exciting.
These people are so devoted to Saving America's Horses, it is beyond commendable. Their efforts have incorporated countless efforts to curtail government intervention of removing our horses from the land.
They are so realistic in their approach, consulting experts in many fields of how horses deserve to remain in the wild and how they contribute to the eco system. Documentaries, filmed and narrated by the originator of this organization have been aired publicly over the past years. They believe in what they do and their efforts to overcome this awful situation of rounding up our beautiful mustangs is relentless.
