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Update From the Field
The crisp mornings of Fall have returned and we are
busy at the Buffalo Field Campaign with gathering the
wood that will keep us warm during the coming winter.
Our preparations were put on hold the other morning
when we learned that the Department of Livestock (DOL)
was engaged in their first real operation of the season,
hazing a lone bull buffalo from the Horse Butte Peninsula.
We knew that four bulls were seen on the Butte and we
had seen three the day before, so it was no surprise
to hear that the missing fourth was found. We rushed
over to find five agents on horseback and two in vehicles
searching for the bull they hazed and lost in the direction
of the park border near Duck Creek. After regrouping
from a self-proclaimed "successful operation"
the government agents, including Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks game wardens, Yellowstone National Park rangers,
and the regular cast of DOL agents brought their circus
to Horse Butte to find our three buffalo friends. After
several hours of searching and no trace of buffalo,
the agents hung their heads and returned home. On our
way home, we happened to see the three bulls leisurely
walking in the forest along the highway, once again
outwitting the DOL.
With buffalo already coming out of the park and the
DOL determined to keep them out of Montana, preparations
for the winter season necessarily get delayed. We could
really use your help right now in the forest gathering
firewood and on the front lines defending buffalo. Please
contact us if you want to help!
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Buffalo
Roadshow Updates
East
Coast Schedule--The
first ever BFC East Coast Road Show starts Wednesday night
at 7pm with a show at the Washington, DC Patagonia store.
During the months of October and November we'll visit
communities from North Carolina to Vermont to share buffalo
stories and gather support for their protection. Schedule
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--West Coast Thank You's--
Finally the wheels of "Running on Empty," the
Suburban donated to the Buffalo Field Campaign by Jackson
Browne and used on our West Coast road show, rolled home
to Montana. The last few days have grounded us again,
back home with the buffalo. I set my tipi up the other
day and have been busy gathering firewood ever since.
After talking about buffalo for the last five weeks
all over the Rockies and West Coast it is refreshing to
be blessed again with their presence. I sit here now reflecting
on all of the new family members, friends, experiences
and adventures the tour brought. We met so many wonderful
people along the way that it would be impossible to thank
them all. The following list is an attempt. Forgive me
in advance if I've forgotten your name, I may be forgetful
but I am most grateful. Know your help is appreciated--without
it there will be no change.
A crucial component of this Roadshow was made possible
by: Jan Hartke, Nancy P., Gene Stilp, The Fund for Animals,
and The Humane Society of the United States. These great
people and groups enabled us to purchase the 25 foot inflatable
buffalo that touched so many lives and drew such amazing
crowds along the way. Thanks to Ad-Art Imaging, Mr. Roger
Parchens, Big Bear Sign Co., Jim O. and HIP Inc. &
Jim Coefield for your persistent support.
Boulder:
Thanks to Jim Morris & Environmental T-shirt Company
for fronting us the t-shirts to pay for the shows; Stephanie
and Dave for all the set-ups and the place in Denver;
Shannon & Phil for your never ending giving; Mike
& Brenda for opening your house to us; Vox Femina
for your great work and the video projector; Possum Logic,
Canine Unit, John McKay, Bruce Lish, Dave Solzberg &
sound and support crews--without music what is life? Thanks
to Becca, Amber, Brodie and Josh--you are family for life;
Old Main Theatre and the Peace & Justice Center all
your work is so needed, Utah Philips you are an inspiration,
Food not Bombs so that no one goes hungry, Melissa &
Higher Ground Music video taping and Betty your great
work and the use of your fancy cell phone.
Denver: Thanks to Allyson Stone for sharing your wonderful
students and bringing them up to camp for a week in December;
Allison for your work with the kids and with the buffalo;
Dan H. we are brothers for life; Jill for helping to spread
the word; and to the Mecury Café and Larimer Street
Market for hosting us.
Phoenix:
Thanks to Alyssa & Chris for setting everything
up and sharing your home with us; to the staff at the
Tempe Buffalo Exchange store and to Michelle Livingston
for driving all the way to meet us and for all of your
work to help save the buffalo and spread the word.
San Diego:
Thanks to Doug & Cheryl; Thanks to Beth and The
Buffalo Field Campaign Support Group of San Diego. It
is always a pleasure to spend time with you. Thanks to
all our long lost volunteer help along the tour, to Mission
Trails Regional Park and to "the Kid brother from
another mother."
Long Beach:
A huge thanks to the two long-time supporters who
came and gathered petition signatures for hours. I'm so
sorry I can't remember your names but thanks none the
less and thanks also to the Long Beach Farmer's Market
and the market manager.
Santa Barbara:
Thanks Jay and your housemates for treating us like
family and spoiling us rotten, please come out and let
us return the favor; thanks Jen just for being you; Cynthia
thanks for your heart and buffalo energy; Patty the petition
queen, you rock; Magic Man Greg for all of your help and
video work and thank you Darlene.
Santa Monica:
Thanks Patagonia & Albert, Shawn, Brian and Julia,
Lauren for all of your support for all the years we have
been around, Deb & Carol & Tom of the Guacamole
Fund what can I say other than family for life , Jackson
Browne and Cree, Buddha, CJ & Dianna, Donald for always
being there for the buffalo, and thanks to the wonderful
community farmers market.
Ventura: Thank you Yvon, Michael, Shannon, Lisa, Marty,
Julie Chippa Bro, Patagonia and staff for helping in every
direction and for running the most admirable business
I have ever seen.
Oxnard: Thank you Desiree, Oxnard Farmer's Market
and the watermelon eating contest folks!
San Luis Obispo: Darren thank you for your hospitality
and compassion, keep strong and know you are in our hearts
and prayers. Thank you Marinda and Malike, our new family;
San Luis Obispo public library.
Berkeley/Bay Area:
At this point of the show we were joined by BFC board
members Sue and Darrell. Thanks for meeting up with us
and for making the tour so successful. Thanks to Ernest
Callenbach for presenting with us at the Berkeley Ecology
Center show and the Foundation for Deep Ecology show.
We look forward to working with you in the future.
It was a true honor to meet the Callenbach family. Thank
you for keeping the vision alive. Thanks Beck for all
your help; all the great farmers' market staff and vendors;
the Ecology Center for making everything happen, Kristen
& Kevin & Manny my dear sister and brother in
law, now Kevin you know the true meaning of brother in
law, thanks for always being there. Thanks Alex, Allisun
& Alisia you teach us the meaning of family; Sylvia
for bailing us out once again and your love of the buffalo;
Karen Pickett for all that you do and make happen you
are always in our thoughts; Ann D. the wildcat, we will
make a difference together; the Couperus Family where
do I start, just please always keep up your ways because
they are truly an inspiration to the world, and we love
you; Casandra and the fish guy at the Menlo Park Farmers
Market and the buffalo- supporting manager of the market,
Nimond; thanks Benson's Radiator for fixing our car and
keeping us on the road and Brenda & Ricky & Jesse
Schwartz & Living Tree Community Foods--our bellies
thank you already, Carolyn - supreme petition gatherer!,
Bay Area Buffalo Committee.
Marin:
Foundation for Deep Ecology & Tracee for organizing
a show every time we come to the area. Thanks Sandy.
Point Arena:
Thank you Kim and the great high school class
Mendocino County:
Thanks to Chris Skyhawk our family beach side and
the Fort Brag Library
Arcata:
Sacred Grounds Coffee--Beth & the wonderful staff;
the North Coast Environmental Center & Tim thanks
for being there; Felony for your endless energy.
Hayfork:
Thank you Hemp Foods, Sundog, Amber & the lil'
one, please come home soon; Thanks to The Tribal Stomp.
Ashland:
Anna thank you for making it happen; Lesley, Nuwandart
Gallery; The Co-op; James; Caynor for all of your help
along the way; Heartsong Chai LLC, Eddy
Portland:
Griz your love for the buffalo sparked min--thanks
for the guidance. Thank you Scott, Clary and Wiggy; Rain,
Tatiana & Ivory; the People's Food Co-op; Liberty
Hall; Greg & Beth for all of your work and photos,
come visit, Roselle & Sarah however brief it is always
a pleasure.
Eugene:
Kris & Saxon home again thanks; Jim Flynn blue
berry dreams; Jim B & Melissa for putting us up and
free radio, Dan, Cosmic Pizza, Lisa & Luca for a newfound
smile and Bear & Familia.
Bend:
Brenna & family nice to reunite and we will see
you this Winter; Central Oregon Community College; and
Josh.
Missoula: Thank you Katherine and Lance at Cold Mountain,
Cold Rivers our other half and the University of Montana,
my alma mater.
6,000 miles later I am glad to be home, but I will
never forget any of you.
32,000 newsletters, 5,000 petition signatures, 2,000 bumpers
stickers were distributed along the way. The message has
been delivered, "Spread the word, Save the Yellowstone
Buffalo Herd!!!"
Back With the Buffalo,
Mike Mease &
Robert Sanchez
-----------------------
* Last Words
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has."
Margaret Mead
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