[fullwidth backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”solid” paddingtop=”0px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” class=”my_header_h2″ id=””][fusion_text]BE INFORMED[/fusion_text][/fullwidth][fullwidth backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”solid” paddingtop=”0px” paddingbottom=”0px” paddingleft=”30px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]First and foremost, it’s important that you work on becoming informed about wild horse and burro issues, especially the facts and stats surrounding the area of your specific interest.
As a starting place, we have provided links below to a number of groups who have something to say about wild horses and burros, wildlife, and other rangeland issues. Please do not assume that we have vetted each of them. We are not in 100% agreement with almost any other advocacy group out there, and some of the links will take you to information with which we may totally disagree. However, we think it is important that you are exposed to the information. As a counter, you’ll find our opinions worked-in throughout the rest of this website, and in the actions we take to improve the lives of the horses and burros.
While there are many on-line resources that supply good information, you need to be aware that not all are unbiased. In fact, some intentionally misstate facts and happenings to incite their followers to take action. This action could be making a donation, signing a petition, writing inflammatory (and often uninformed) opinions, or other things. Not every biased source is created with the intent to deceive. Some are merely the product of someone who is very passionate about his cause, and consequently is unable to view the subject without bias. While this does seem less nefarious than someone who is intentionally misleading you, the end result is still the dissemination of less than fully accurate information. We often see misinformation coming from all sides of the wild horse and burro discussion.
As you sort your way through the wealth of information be sure to not fall prey (well, at least not too much) to your own confirmation bias. Be aware that we all tend to agree with information that supports our preconceived notions, and try to look past yours to see if there are facts and arguments that make sense even if they don’t ally with your current views.
Regardless of where you land in your view on wild horse and burro issues, please make an effort to play nicely with others. There is way too much inflamed rhetoric making the rounds on social media, in online comments, and at public meetings. It’s counterproductive as a means of helping the horses and burros, and often is coming from people who just aren’t very well informed about what is actually the situation on the range, the pressures that BLM faces in trying to manage the range for many different users, and the motivations of other advocacy groups. By seeking out the common interests of different groups, and working to achieve win-win situations, we’re going to make much better progress toward improving the lives of our wild horses and burros. (Stepping down from the soapbox…)[/fusion_text][/fullwidth][separator style_type=”single” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”40″ sep_color=”#bdbbb6″ icon=”fa-circle” width=”” class=”” id=””][fullwidth backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”solid” paddingtop=”0px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” class=”my_header_h2″ id=””][fusion_text]GET INVOLVED[/fusion_text][/fullwidth][fullwidth backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”solid” paddingtop=”0px” paddingbottom=”0px” paddingleft=”30px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]There are many different ways you can get involved to improve the lives of our wild horses and burros. What you choose should be a function of your interest and motivation. There is no shortage of work as this issue covers a vast amount of ground. Here are some ideas that might fit what you are after:
- Armchair advocate (this is not meant to be a derogatory term)
- Share pictures of wild horses and burros on social media (these can be your own pictures, or those you share from other sources)
- Write letters in support of wild horse and burro issues to the BLM, newspapers and online sources
- Participate in online forums
- American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign has put together information about how to write effective letters: https://americanwildhorsecampaign.org/media/wild-horse-advocacy-toolkit
- Higher profile advocate
- Participate in local BLM meetings
- Attend and document wild horse and burro gathers
- Attend rallies for the animals
- Attend BLM adoptions
- Attend the semi-annual BLM Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board meetings
- Donate $$ to your favorite advocacy group that is doing work with which you agree.
- Get involved in wild horse and burro adoptions:
- Adopt a wild horse or burro (be aware of the costs and time commitment before you do)
- Train wild horses or burros so that they are better candidates for adoption
- Get trained to treat horses and burros with PZP/other contraceptives
- Volunteer your time with an advocacy group or the BLM:
- Help at a wild horse and burro sanctuary
- Promote adoptions of animals who have been removed from the range
- Engage in on-range management:
- Contraception
- Range improvements
- Hauling water
The wild horses and burros need your help. Get involved![/fusion_text][/fullwidth]