Hello! We wanted to give you some updates and apologize for our silence.
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates (CHWHA) was formed to advocate for the wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) in Medora, ND home. We believe that there is enough research and best practices in place in other horse management herds that TRNP could apply those to the wild horses in their national park. This would require the park to FINALLY give these horses a proper wild horse management plan. We still believe this is the best option for the wild horses that call TRNP home than the same old “The park knows what it is doing.” lines we have heard time and time again.
CHWHA was formed in January of 2021 and in the spring of 2022, Theodore Roosevelt National Park FINALLY initiated a wild horse management plan!
From the project website:
“The National Park Service is developing a Livestock Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) to assess options for managing horse and longhorn cattle herds in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The plan is currently in the pre-National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase. In this phase, the National Park Service is soliciting input from the public on ideas for consideration in the Livestock Management Plan and identifying areas of concern. Input is being solicited through April 15, 2022.
Following the close of this pre-NEPA comment period, the National Park Service will update alternatives based on public input. The National Park Service will continue to solicit input with additional public engagement opportunities during the NEPA process. Formal opportunities for public engagement include public scoping, anticipated for the Fall of 2022, and public comment on the Draft EA by Spring 2023.”
What happened next, we believe, took everyone in the NPS by surprise! During the first comment period, they received comments from ALL 50 states AND 58 comments from the International Community! Because of the efforts of organizations like CHWHA, American Wild Horse Campaign and The Cloud Foundation, to educate followers on scientific FACTS to share during this comment period, TRNP park management has stated that they will be back with new analyses for the public to comment on. This comment period was supposed to happen in the Fall of 2022 (as stated in the parks letter above). Technically, it is STILL fall, so we are waiting like everyone else for the next phase in the management planning process.
We ARE in constant contact with our legal team who believes that this extended “quiet” period is a good thing. The park is looking closely at the documents that were submitted and should be taking those into careful consideration for their new analyses as well as performing their Environmental Assessment.
We will let you know as soon we hear anything.
As a board, CHWHA has discussed what’s next for our organization. We have some pretty ambitious goals and are working on the start of a very exciting project that we hope to be able to share with you soon!
One thing we have all agreed on is that making sure there are wild horses running free in Theodore Roosevelt National Park for generations to come is now and always will be our #1 goal.
Our board has been working on fund raising for all of our goals. We have also been working with our North Dakota Giving Hearts Day chapter which is keeping us busy trying to secure matching funds for our February Giving Hearts Day Campaign. You can view our profile, sign up for volunteer opportunities as they arise and also make a donation anytime on their website here: https://app.givingheartsday.org/#/charity/1669
We also hope that you will remember Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates this holiday season. We are a small non-profit that has proven we are not afraid to stand up and be a loud voice for the wild horses in North Dakota!
November 22nd is also Giving Tuesday. Please remember Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates. Every dollar makes a difference, and many organizations are matching funds for this event as well.
This holiday season you can also help support our organization by making us your Amazon Smile Charity of choice! All of you have to do is shop like you usually do and Amazon will make a donation to our organization! You can sign up for that here: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage/ref=smi_chpf_redirect?ie=UTF8&ein=86-1262476&ref_=smi_ext_ch_86-1262476_cl&fbclid=IwAR1iKA-OoVS5Fi5UX1hqkvTD_KVF6mAAtOn1eFOi5d6WhlcC_tVzXGW9HoU
The success of Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates would not be possible without the support of all of you! Every comment letter that was sent, every post that is shared, and every $1 you donate has helped CHWHA realize some pretty incredible successes in a short time! We hope we can count on your continued support!
Thank you again for your continued support. Please know that even if it is quiet here, we are always working to make sure the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park remain wild and free for future generations to enjoy the same way we do today! You are welcome to message us with any questions you may have.
Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates is committed to advocating for a wild horse management plan and protection for these unique wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home! We are fighting for a management plan that is guided by science especially when it comes to decisions regarding the removal of horses and the administration of birth control. Many other wild horse management plans have proven to be successful with their science-based plans. We are asking for the same for this amazing group of wild horses that call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home.