Great Divide Basin, Wyoming Limited Edition: 100 Our collective destiny is inextricably linked to that of animals, and the landscapes that provide for their survival. The thought of habitat loss is an unsettling one; for me, the notion of certain areas being completely shuttered serves as a stark warning of what may come to pass with our public lands, and the wildlife that inhabit them. Wild horses have galloped across these lands for many millennia and, while they may be targeted as the cause of certain environmental damages, such as degradation caused by grazing livestock or through the exploitation of oil, minerals, or encroachment upon their territories, their role as a vital part of the ecology here should not be underestimated; their method of grazing and fertilization of the soil helps to sustain the health of the grasslands. To eliminate these precious regions of Wyoming, and all the wondrous and rare genetic diversity within them, would be to spell the downfall of this fragile and delicately-maintained ecosystem.
