Return to Freedom's journey began in 1998 on 309 acres in California's Jalama Valley, near Lompoc. This founding sanctuary—purchased by the DeMayo family—became home to the American Wild Horse Sanctuary and the heart of RTF's mission: protecting the freedom, diversity, and dignity of America’s wild horses and burros.

For more than 25 years, this land has served as a flagship hub for sanctuary care, education, and national advocacy —providing refuge for rescued herds, a model for humane land management, and a gathering place for thousands of visitors and students.

Today, we are working to permanently acquire this historic property and ensure that it remains a protected space for generations to come. This is the first step in a three-part campaign to secure RTF's future.

We have already raised half of the acquisition cost ($2.75 million) to purchase our founding sanctuary. This property—home to hundreds of wild horses and burros—is essential to RTF's operations and public programming. Completing this acquisition will permanently secure RTF's headquarters and guarantee its long-term stability.

A permanent endowment will ensure the organization's ongoing sustainability—funding annual operations, regenerative land practices, advocacy, and educational initiatives. This foundation will provide RTF with the flexibility to respond quickly to rescue needs and advocacy opportunities.

The next step in RTF’s growth is the acquisition of a larger property—over 6,000 acres—to create the Wild Horse and Wildlife Conservancy, a center for conservation, education, and holistic land management. This space will serve as a living example of how wild horses, burros, and other grazing wildlife can restore and balance ecosystems when managed sustainably. ($15 million target)

Together, these three phases represent a $27.75 million investment in Return to Freedom's future—solidifying our founding sanctuary, enabling long-term sustainability, and ensuring RTF continues to lead in wild horse conservation and advocacy nationwide.

If you'd like to learn more or support our Capital Campaign, please email us at: