The HSUS

Donors meet with HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle.

Four couples last summer attended an invitation-only retreat for HSUS contributors as a one-of-a-kind vacation getaway.

Attendees included Susan Brown and Jack Adams of Savannah, Tenn.; Linda Lee and Tom Ehrenberger of Hampton, Va.; Nicole Rudman Brown and Mike Brown of Chicago, Ill.; and Delma and Don Taylor of Ellicott City, Md.

The HSUS

Stopping at an abandoned barn in Centennial Valley.

For the first half of the week, the HSUS donors stayed on the premises at the Taft Centennial Ranch, home to a member of The HSUS board of directors, John Taft and his wife Melody. The ranch, complete with multiple cabins, lies in Montana's Centennial Valley, about an hour from Yellowstone National Park. The valley is known as the American Serengeti because it is one of the few east-west open spaces in the Rockies, allowing many animals to use it in their migratory routes. 

The HSUS

Melodie and John Taft, extraordinary hosts.

While experiencing the Tafts' amazing hospitality, donors spent days scaling mountains in a fleet of jeeps to see amazing vistas and view valley wildlife. They enjoyed gourmet meals prepared by Melody and meeting with HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle in the evening.

During the second half of the week, attendees meandered through Yellowstone seeing moose, elk, bald eagles, bears, beavers and buffalo. Dave Pauli, director of The HSUS Northern Rockies Regional Office, served as tour guide.

Pauli explained HSUS efforts to help animals in the area, including the buffalo who reside in the park, but often travel outside the boundaries for food during the winter. Upon leaving the haven of the park, the buffalo have been shot and killed by the National Park Service and the Montana Department of Livestock, who also have hazed and harassed buffalo. The Yellowstone herd is the last remaining continuously wild, genetically pure herd of buffalo in the United States.

The HSUS

Soaking up the scenery and capturing it on film in Yellowstone.

"Having the plight of the Yellowstone bison brought to my attention gives me great desire to contribute financially and to lobby on their behalf to keep this majestic animal from disappearing," says Susan Brown, after returning home from the trip.

The others on the trip agree.

"After seeing Yellowstone and Centennial Valley, you get a sense of how necessary it is for The HSUS to work to conserve the land and the wilderness, and of just how difficult that job is," says Nicole Rudman Brown.

The HSUS

An elk taking a rest in Yellowstone.

"It was wonderful to see firsthand the kind of people The HSUS employs to work with the animals and the people.  I was so impressed with John Taft's ability to provide the most interesting insights and Dave Pauli's life of devotion to animal welfare.  For me, it was a life-changing experience," adds Linda Lee. "I feel that any contribution is well spent and I've strongly increased my support to The HSUS."

The HSUS

Taking in the breathtaking Yellowstone vista on a clear day.

"Not only did we find our trip enjoyable and enlightening, we experienced the personal commitment of HSUS staff in the limited time we were with Wayne Pacelle and Dave Pauli. Their level of dedication makes Delma and I proud to be involved with HSUS," notes Don Taylor.

The HSUS was grateful to receive significant donations to support its Yellowstone-based initiatives in the Northern Rockies Region following the trip.

The HSUS

Pausing to reflect in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley.

To learn more about our work in and around Yellowstone National Park, use The HSUS website's search engine with the term "Yellowstone" for a variety of articles.

To learn how you can provide financial help for Yellowstone animals, please contact the development officer in your area or call us at 1-800-808-7858.

The HSUS

A bison grazing in Yellowstone.

All photographs taken by Rob Blizard.

Posted March 6, 2007