Learn about wild horses through art and discussion at Vail Library

Join the Vail Public Library Wednesday night at 5 p.m. for a book talk and discussion with Craig Downer, author of “The Wild Horse Conspiracy” and “Wild Horses: Living Symbols of Freedom,” in conjunction with a special art display by local artist Roxanne Granzow. The library is located at 292 W. Meadow Dr. Downer and Granzow hope to make known the plight of America’s wild horses and their survival. Granzow will donate a portion of her sales to the Mountain Rescue Organization.

Downer is a wildlife ecologist who has extensively studied both the wild horses of the West and the endangered mountain tapirs of the northern Andes. Downer writes about wild horses and their ecological contribution, their North American evolutionary roots, their natural and social value and their survival plight. His new book “The Wild Horse Conspiracy” has been called “a must read for those who want to delve deeply into the topic of the plight of America’s wild horses.” Downer is a member of the World Conservation Union, Species Survival Commission and has written the action plan for the mountain tapir. He is also a member of the American Society of Mammalogists and president of the nonprofit organization Andean Tapir Fund.

Granzow has a passion for animals and photography and although Granzow first attended school to pursue a life in marine biology, she decided photography would allow her to observe animals of the entire world, rather than restrict her to the animals of the shores. In the mid ‘70s, Granzow moved to Vail and since then she has been all over the world photographing wildlife. She photographs outdoors, in the wild, in order to experience animals in their natural environments. She hopes by viewing her photographs, people will have a better appreciation for animals and the part they play here on earth.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, call 970-479-2187.