Ep #44: Wolves and Wild Horses: Interview with Ashley Avis

Have you ever wondered what wolves and wild horses have in common? Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West, a stunning film by Ashley Avis, is a breathtaking exploration of wild horses, capturing their beauty and the challenges they face with poetic brilliance. Now, Ashley is turning her lens to wolves, revealing how their struggles echo those of wild horses.

Ashley Avis is a talented screenwriter, producer, and director with four feature films to her name. A lifelong equestrian, she is also the founder of The Wild Beauty Foundation, an organization dedicated to shedding light on critical issues facing wild and domestic horses through entertainment, youth education programs, and rescue efforts.

In this episode, we delve into the inspiration found in wild spaces, particularly in the majestic presence of wild horses and wolves. These creatures have the power to shape our perspectives and connection to nature. However, wolves are in an even more precarious situation than wild horses, making the urgency to raise awareness and take action all the more critical. Join us as we explore how these wild spirits can inspire and call us to protect the natural world.

Subscribe to my blog to get more information on how you can help America’s wild horses.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• How Ashley Avis’s film Wild Beauty has gained traction in classrooms and even in Congress as a powerful advocacy tool.
• The story of O-Six, a famous wolf whose death in 2012 sparked national outrage and influenced Congress to reject a bill that would delist wolves nationwide in 2015.
• How the parallel advocacy for wolves came naturally to Ashley through her work with wild horses, highlighting similar issues facing these two species.
• Why wild horses and wolves are often mischaracterized as destructive to public lands.
• How The WILD BEAUTY Foundation helps Ashley’s passion for animal advocacy and education.

Listen to the Full Episode:

Featured on the Show:

• Subscribe to my blog to get more information on how you can help America’s wild horses.
• Follow along on Facebook and Instagram!
• Living Images by Carol Walker
• Wild Hoofbeats Blog
• Wild Hoofbeats: America’s Vanishing Wild Horses by Carol Walker
• The WILD BEAUTY Foundation
• WILD BEAUTY: Mustang Spirit of the West
• Nate Blakeslee: American Wolf
• Wolf Connection: John Calfa, host of The Wolf Connection Podcast
• Cry for the WILD
• Rep. Nancy Mace: Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act
• Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act
• Western Watersheds Project
• Bill for Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act 2023: Congresswoman Dina Titus
• FOSTER WARRIORS

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