Desert Balloon Project

09/24/2026

https://youtu.be/_R9oT8JJV8M

Wildlife experts question if current protections are enough as deve...

09/23/2026

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/desert-tortoise-cited-as-reason-to-kill-proposed-solar-project-northwest-of-las-vegas/amp/

Two conservation groups have submitted a formal protest aimed at stopping a solar project northwest of Las Vegas on land that provides a connection between important habitats for Mojave desert tort…

09/23/2026

This is so exciting! Thank goodness these beach communities have outlawed balloon releases to protect this beautiful momma!! 🚫🎈❤️🐢

09/23/2026

Stephen Liberko found this while we they were volunteering at Lake Mead NPS! 🎈

09/23/2026

THIS CLINIC IS FULL!

08/01/2026

The great volunteers at Red Rock Search and Rescue harvested some balloons and sent pics. Thank you for all you do for our community!

08/01/2026

Kristen Carline was out at Old St. Thomas and didn’t leave empty handed! Thank you so much! 🚫🎈

06/07/2026

22,450 acres. Bigger than Manhattan. Now dedicated to wild donkeys who were once at risk of being chased, captured, and forgotten. 🐴💔

A massive piece of land in Colorado is being transformed into a lifelong sanctuary for rescued wild donkeys. Wide open space. Natural water. Rolling hills. A place where they can finally run freely again.

For years, wild donkeys across the American West have faced helicopter roundups and removal from public lands. Supporters argued the herds had grown too large for the land to sustain, while animal advocates warned about the fear, injuries, and trauma many donkeys experienced during those operations.

Many people grew up seeing wild donkeys as symbols of freedom and resilience. Watching them spend years confined in holding facilities instead of roaming the open land left countless animal lovers heartbroken.

That’s why this refuge feels so important.

Instead of living the rest of their lives behind fences, hundreds of donkeys will now have the chance to graze naturally, stay with their herds, and experience something close to freedom once again.

Even more meaningful — this land was once used for cattle operations. Now it is being used to protect animals instead.

And among the sanctuary’s growing community of animal lovers, tortoise fans have found a surprising connection to the rescued donkeys. 🐢❤️🐴

Many visitors say there’s something deeply peaceful about watching animals move through life slowly, safely, and without fear. Just like tortoises, the donkeys now spend their days wandering open land at their own pace, free from the stress and chaos they once faced.

Some caretakers even joke that the sanctuary has become a place where “slow living” finally wins — where gentle animals are allowed to simply exist without being rushed, chased, or controlled.

Tortoises have long symbolized patience, endurance, and quiet resilience. For many fans, that same spirit now feels reflected in these rescued donkeys finally getting the peaceful second chance they deserve.

In a world where wildlife keeps losing space, stories like this feel rare. Proof that people can still choose protection over profit… kindness over control.

For these donkeys, freedom may never look exactly the way it once did. But this land offers something incredibly close — a second chance.

Source:

* PR Newswire — The Wild Animal Sanctuary Acquires 22,450 Acres of Land for Newly Formed Wild Donkey Refuge Property

06/07/2026

Thank you Leah Chavez for retrieving another balloon while out protecting the desert and its animals! We need more people like you! 🏆❤️🐢🐍🚫🎈

05/03/2026

Thank you to the National Society of the Daugters Of The American Revolution conservation committee for presenting the Desert Balloon Project with this certificate and metal in recognition of outstanding achievement for environmental awareness. I am honored to be recognized by this historic group of amazing women. 🏅🚫🎈🐢 🎈🐢