April 22 is Earth Day, a time to give thanks to the Earth and
to reflect upon and redouble our efforts to protect her and
all the creatures she sustains.
April 22 is also Phil Morton's birthday. Phil, a long-time and
ardent supporter of the Yellowstone buffalo and the BFC would
have been 66 today. For those working on the front-lines
to protect the buffalo, Phil was an inspiration. A first-rate
wildlife videographer in his own right, Phil believed in BFC's
mission to document and share with the world the buffalo's plight.
Shortly before his death, Phil inspired BFC's Campaign Coordinator,
Mike Mease, with the following words:
"When you see the old bull buffler, when your eyes connect
with him, know that i'm eyeing you back, longing for him to
be WILD and FREE again...not in my lifetime, but maybe in your's
and barb's...Love, Phil 'Buffler Bo' Morton."
Sadly, barb didn't live to see buffalo WILD and FREE again, although she devoted the final years of her life to protecting the buffalo through her work with BFC.
Barb Talks About Buffalo, 2008
-------------------------------- A Letter to Buffalo Supporters from barb
4/21/05
i'm sending this message out early as i will be moving on friday
which is earth day and what would have been phil's 60th
birthday ... he always chuckled over the confluence of these
two events but he truly believed that every day we must work
to protect our lands, air, water and critters, not just on special
occasions ...
one group working every day to protect yellowstone's buffalo
is the BUFFALO FIELD CAMPAIGN and in honor and memory of phil,
i'd like to ask you to send them a contribution in his name
(po box 957, west yellowstone MT 59758-0957)
when mike mease, co-founder of BFC came to west yellowstone
eight years ago, phil and i contacted him and met with him in
our home to hear what his plans were to stop the slaughter of
these great animals. primary among the techniques used by the
few paid staff and many, many volunteers has been to video-document
how the montana department of livestock (DOL), montana fish,
wildlife and parks, APHIS, u.s. forest service, yellowstone
national park and the sheriff's department implement the interagency
bison management plan. the montana DOL shows little tolerance
for wild buffalo on our public lands and is the lead agency
in hazing, capturing and sending to slaughter buffalo who test
positive for EXPOSURE to brucellosis (which does not mean that
they actually have the active brucella organism) ... the new
part of this plan this year is to quarantine sero-negative calves
and put them in a quarantine facility for the next two years,
essentially breaking up their family groups and domesticating
them.
phil has always been a supporter of an independent media in
getting out the information that the mainstream media thinks
unimportant or trivial and for this reason we have supported
BFC since they came here ... the footage the campaign captures
is absolutely invaluable in exposing the actions of the DOL
who use snowmobiles, ATVs, horses, trucks and helicopters in
their relentless efforts to keep the buffalo off the public
lands ... BFCs footage has been shown on national TV throughout
the years of their existence ... they also post volunteers on
the road to warn motorists of the presence of buffalo on the
road ... as i write, the DOL is busy hazing the buffalo off
of their traditional calving grounds on horse butte, driving
these mainly pregnant cows hard and fast, through the national
forest, across the highway and back into yellowstone ... as
soon as the agency personnel leave, the buffs turn around and
come back out onto public lands, lands where cattle are never
grazed ... these agency actions cost taxpayers millions of dollars
per year; the federal trough, in particular, seems to be endless
in supplying state agencies with mega-buck$ for this purpose
...
in addition, BFC has brought lawsuits against some of the agencies
and their agents; continues, under FOIA, to obtain documents
about some of the things the agencies don't want us knowing;
sets up informational tables in yellowstone national park every
summer to educate visitors; has trained thousands of volunteers;
testifies at public hearings; and stages non-violent protests
around the state on behalf of the buffalo ...
despite their non-violent protests, BFC volunteers have been
arrested; cameras and tapes have been confiscated; the lug-nuts
on mike's car tires were loosened and one tire fell off
and volunteers have recently been attacked with paintballs,
a felony, for which two people were arrested last week
you can find out more information about BFC and the buffalo
issue, and see brief videos by visiting their website at: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org
as most of you know, phil died regretting that he would not
live long enough to see the yellowstone buffalo WILD, FREE and
eventually HUNTABLE under fair chase conditions ... so,
in his honor and memory, please help support BFC in any way
you can so that they may continue their work in helping to bring
an end to the horrific treatment of the buffalo here in montana
... thanks
for the buffalo,
barb
BFC Supporters Remember barb
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I'm deeply saddened to hear of barb's passing. She was an incredible lady and will be greatly missed.
I enjoyed receiving every hand-written postcards from her, thanking me for my contribution for the buffalo. I wish I had the opportunity to personally meet her. I think I would like her instantly.
I look forward to seeing the web page that you are creating in her honor.
Sincerely,
Indamani
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Dear Friends at BFC:
We became monthly supporters of the Buffalo Field Campaign in 2000 after visiting one of your tables at Yellowstone National Park. At the time, we lived between Dubois and Jackson, WY. In late September of 2009, now having moved to a lower elevation for Dan's health, we communicated with barb (as we have done for most of the years of our support of BFC) and arranged to stop by while on a trip across country, just to visit the BFC offices and meet whoever was there.
When we arrived, barb greeted this middle-aged, straight-laced retired couple from Oregon as though we were the oldest and best of friends, and we truly felt like we'd known her -- and she us -- forever! We spent part of a most enjoyable morning with her. She was the only person on the premises that morning, but we truly saw the "heart" of the BFC in her.
She was a most amazing woman, and we are so sorry to learn that her bright spirit has moved on -- but she has most certainly joined her beloved Phil on a different plane and is still an activist somewhere!
Roam free, barb!
Dan and Jan
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Greetings Dan and all,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your leader and friend. I am very grateful for all your efforts on behalf of The Buffalo Nation. A Nakota friend told me that Buffalo will gather around a sick relative and even bring medicine.
It is good you gathered around for your friend. Something she will carry with her.
I tell people of your many efforts and hope someday to stand with you and The Buffalo Nation.
sincerely,
andrea
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I am sad to hear that Barb Abramo has taken journey to a spirit land somewhere. I never met her, but she should be remembered to all who love the buffalo, and wildlife. I apreciate very much her work, and all of those who will continue in the fight to save the buffalo. Yonah
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This is such sad news; I indeed spoke with Barb and received emails and a CD from her. I just emailed you about 10 minutes ago asking about her and then I read the heartbreaking news about her passing. The buffalo have lost a dear and cherished friend in Barb and they and the BFC will miss her terribly. She was a true advocate and fighter for
their rights. Sincerely, Vicky
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Oh....my condolences to everyone at BFC....Barb was an awesome person to be greeted by the times I came to volunteer.
She was an awesome woman....very righteous, intelligent and lovely. Love you Barb.
and love to the buffalo family who I still think of as some of the best times I've had...
~Jessie
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Dear BFC staff and friends,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of barb abramo. While I never met her, each spring she sent me newsletters for my Earth Day table here in Asheville. As a remote supporter she definitely was the person of contact for me and I will always treasure her kind thank you notes and remember her help. But more saddening is thinking of all of you and the loss of one of your dear friends and long-time buffalo advocates. My heart goes out to you all at this time of loss. I know you will honor her spirit and that she will continue to inspire you in the battle for the buffalo.
My deepest sympathy
Laura
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Dear BFC Family -
I am stunned and saddened by the news of Barb's passing. I know I have been out of touch for quite awhile though I have continued to read each and every BFC email.
I will never forget the times I spent with Barb when I visited camp a few years ago - I felt like I had known her all my life after about 5 minutes!
Please know that she will be in my heart and in my prayers always, as will all of you and our brothers the buffalo. We have lost an irreplacable champion.
Mitakuye Oyasin,
Maryjane
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I am saddened greatly to hear of barb’s passing. While I lived in West Yellowstone from 1991-2004 I had the honor to know barb and phil. barb was the most knowledgeable, well spoken woman! She believed entirely with her whole being in the bison’s right to roam free. She was funny and kind. I learned much about love and life and acceptance when she lost phil and then was herself diagnosed with breast cancer. She was brave. She was fearless.
barb did miss phil every single day after he passed on. She often shared her feelings and yet she honored his work and the work they shared by continuing to educate and call attention to the bison of the Yellowstone Basin. I know she touched many lives and she is missed by each of you. I shall miss her and knowing she walked with us on this Earth. I hope her spirit is with phil and the free-roaming bison forever.
