Volunteer Spotlight: Rae Hanna
This article was taken from the monthly Virginia Range newsletter, The Pinto Post. Sign up to receive the latest updates from the boots-on-the-ground work on behalf of this historic herd!
Every month, a dedicated volunteer’s name is drawn to highlight all the incredible work they have done. This month, Rae Hanna’s name was drawn!
Rae is a native Nevadan who dreamed of moving back to Nevada and settling down there after retirement. She and her husband, Phil, decided to make Dayton their retirement haven. Before retirement, she worked in public accounting for 35 years and had a small horse ranch in California, where she bred and showed Arabians. Upon moving to Dayton, she frequently saw wild horses in the area and fell in love with them. Having heard about the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) management practices, she researched the issue and discovered the Wild Horse Preservation League. After attending a meeting, she became hooked and is now a board member of LBL Equine Rescue and a member of the Wild Horse Preservation League. Rae became familiar with Deb Walker’s name by following the Fish Springs Wild Horse Alliance Facebook page.
Connecting with Deb brought the opportunity to become an AWHC darter, and Rae leaped at the chance! She has now been involved in Virginia Range wild horse protection for about five years. Her experience and love for the work are invaluable. Rae’s favorite part of darting is being on the range among the horses. She has learned so much about these magnificent animals, their behavior, and their devotion to family. She sees the beauty in the eye of the horses, and it breaks her heart to see them removed, so she dedicates herself to being part of the solution. She feels a sense of peace when she is out with the horses, which calms her even on the most stressful days. She is determined to do her part in helping keep them wild.
Rae says she feels blessed to be part of such an awesome team of darters, documenters, spotters, and advocates working to keep the horses in the wild. We know we are incredibly lucky to have her!