Virginia Range Volunteer Highlight: Lauri Duke
This article was taken from the monthly Virginia Range newsletter The Pinto Post. Click here to sign up to receive the latest happenings from the boots-on-the-ground work on behalf of this historic herd!
Meet Lauri Duke, a passionate volunteer dedicated to documenting the wild horses of the Virginia Range. Her journey began a year and a half ago when a chance encounter with the BLM's wild horse adoption center sparked her interest. Since then, Lauri's life has been transformed by her work with these majestic creatures.
Discovering a Passion for Wild Horses
Lauri Duke's involvement with wild horses began when she and her husband drove past the BLM's wild horse adoption center on their way to Pyramid Lake. The sight of horses in corrals piqued her interest, leading her to research the wild ones' habitats. Her journey led her to Corenna Vance of Wild Horse Connection, who encouraged her to start documenting these magnificent animals.
The Joy of Documenting Wild Horses
Lauri is a dedicated documenter on the Virginia Range, relishing the opportunity to observe wild horse families and their interactions. She finds it fascinating to watch the foals grow and see how horses patiently wait their turn for water. The thrill of discovering new horses in a band or witnessing changes in the group dynamics is immensely rewarding for her.
Challenges and Rewards
Photographing wild horses is like solving a puzzle for Lauri. She enjoys identifying each horse in the database and learning about their families. The challenge lies in keeping track of each horse's family ties, but the reward is knowing her work aids in locating mares for birth control vaccinations.
Beyond Wild Horses
When not documenting wild horses, Lauri works part-time teaching Independent Living Skills to individuals with learning disabilities, showcasing her commitment to making a positive impact wherever she is.
Thank you, Lauri, for your dedication to helping protect the Virginia Range horses. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!
Want to become a volunteer for our Nevada program? Click here to learn more.