Wild horses topic of museum lecture

The mustang is Nevada's official state animal and a living symbol of Nevada's pioneer heritage. These wild horses will be the topic of the Douglas County Historical Society's free lecture 7 p.m. June 14 at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.

Craig Downer, author, world traveler, wild horse advocate and fourth-generation Nevadan, who grew up in Carson Valley will be the featured speaker for the free lecture. Downer, author of "Wild Horses: Living Symbols of Freedom," will share his knowledge and a slide presentation of Nevada mustangs.

Downer fell in love with mustangs as a boy hiking the Pine Nuts with his parents, taking photos and studying their habits which eventually ended up being his life's work. Downer works with governments - local, state, national and international - to preserve wilderness areas and wild species.

Downer's lecture and slide presentation is in conjunction with the grand opening of the new mustang exhibit that will be held 2-8 p.m. June 23 at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. Downer was instrumental in helping the historical society put together the mustang exhibit. Many of his photos are used in the exhibit and can be purchased through the historical society.

Downer's resume is extensive, including writing environmental articles for scientific publications, being featured in national and international TV shows including Discovery's "Animal Planet," speaking at presentations and working with graduate students, professor and computer specialists on environmental analysis.

Downer is a Wildlife Ecologist A.B., M. S., Ph.D., studies. Downer attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with honors in 1972, earned his master's at the University of Nevada, Reno, in 1976 he conducted Ph.D. studies at the University of Kansas, Lawrence and the University of Durham, UK throughout 1979, the 1980s and 1990s.