Kathrens, Masters, Yardley Appointed to Wild Horse Advisory Board

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the selections for the open positions on its nine-member National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. This board plays a crucial role in advising on the management and protection of wild horses and burros onpublic lands.

Ginger Kathrens, MA, of Fort Collins, Colorado, has been appointed for the category of humane advocacy. She is the founder and executive director of the Colorado-based Cloud Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving wild horses onpublic lands. Kathrens is an Emmy award-winning creator of the acclaimed Public Broadcasting System series documenting the life of a Pryor Mountains wild stallion called “Cloud.” She holds a master’s degree in mass communications from Florida State University.

Ben Mastersof Bozeman, Montana, has been appointed for the category of wildlife management. Masters is the founder and CEO of Fin & Fur Films LLC and is best known for his documentaryUnbranded, which highlights a 3,000-mile ride on wild horses to raise awareness of theBLM’s adoption program. He holds a Bachelor ofSciencedegree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University.

Steven Yardleyof Beaver, Utah, has been appointed for the category of livestock management. Yardley is the vice president of Yardley Cattle Company and a public land rancher. He holds grazing permits from theBLMand the U.S. Forest Service and is active in several agricultural associations. Yardley graduated from Southern Utah University.

The National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board advises theBLMand the U.S. Forest Service on the management and protection of wild free-roaming horses and burros onpublic landsand national forests, as mandated by the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Members of the board must have a demonstrated ability to analyze information, evaluate programs, identify problems, work collaboratively, and develop corrective actions. More information about the board can be found atBLM's website.

Among its current efforts to strengthen the Wild Horse and Burro Program, theBLMis advancing a population-growth suppression strategy consistent with recommendations from a National Academy of Sciences study issued in June 2013. The agency’s new research, representing an investment of approximately $11 million in 20 projects over five years, will focus on:

• Developing longer-lasting fertility-control agents;
• Evaluating the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of spaying and neutering on-range wild horses; and
• Implementing better methods for estimating wild horse and burro populations.

To achieve these aims, theBLMis collaborating with the U.S. Geological Survey and five universities: University of Kentucky, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Ohio State University, and Louisiana State University. Detailed information about each project is available atwww.blm.gov.

Originally posted by The Horse.com