PLEASE Step into the Arena

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt

Powerful words from Theodore Roosevelt himself as we come down to just TWO days for this public comment period. 

The 185 horses that currently call Theodore Roosevelt National Park home need you to step into the arena for them.  This is quite literally a fight for the Spirit of the Badlands!

Have YOU stepped into the ARENA?  

Know that you are not alone as you stand in the arena. 

North Dakota’s own Teddy Roosevelt – Joe Wiegand is standing IN the arena with you! Joe told us early on: “Please know that I’m happy to add my name as an individual who believes the horses are an important part of our community fabric in the Badlands and that their presence in TRNP should be supported.”

There are so many others standing with you as you step into the arena:

We at Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates are standing with you. 

The North Dakota legislators are standing with you.

Patrick Beers is standing with you.

American Wild Horse Campaign is standing with you.

The Fargo Forum is standing with you.

The Cloud Foundation is standing with you.

Save our Wild Horses is standing with you.

Oregon Wild Horse Organization is standing with you.

The Nokota Horse Conservancy is standing with you.

Steve and JoAnna from Fargo, are standing with you.

Dr. Bonnie Kohleriter, Science Educator with The Mustang Project and Devils Garden Wild Horse Placement Group is standing with you.

Wild Horse Observers Association is standing with you.

Castle McLaughlin is standing with you.

The Dickinson Press is standing with you.

Citizens Against Equine Slaughter is standing with you.

Other concerned citizens from all across the US like: Wally, Heather, Lynn, Kimberly, Jessica, Ginny, Birgit, Erica, Janice, Frank, Shelly, Patrick, Christa, Jess, Trent, Tracey, Margo, Tina, Michael, Jessie, Mary, Denise, Jennifer, Theresa, Alison, Linda, Julie, Gary, Carol, Leslie, Barbara, Keith, Christina, Matt, Selina, Nina, Tracy, Julia, Syndi, Lauren, Jena, Shannon, Sherri, Tawnel, Mark, and countless others are standing IN the arena with you. 

There are only 2 days for you to get your comments into the park. 

This comment period is a critical one because THIS is the comment period where you get to let the park know what other alternatives you think they should consider as they move forward with their Environmental Assessment (EA). 

Yes, the park has correctly stated that under the NEPA process, we will ALL get another chance to comment.  That comment period will be the one where the park lets us know WHAT decision they have made.  Then we will get to comment on THAT.  There will be no way to let them know what you wished they considered at that point.

Please note that your comments must be received by JANUARY 31, 2023.  The park did not state they had to be postmarked by January 31, 2023.  They said RECEIVED.  IF you have to mail your letter and supporting documentation, make sure that you send it to be received by January 31, 2023.  Sending it via certified mail is also a good option as well.  Since we are so close to the last day to comment, if it is possible, please send your comments through the park’s website.

Please share your comments online no later than January 31, 2023, online through the PEPC website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/LP

Or in writing to:
Superintendent
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
PO Box 7
Medora, ND 58645

As a reminder, we have a sample comment letter for you that you can find here: https://chwha.org/2023/01/20/sample-comment-letter/

We also welcome both individuals and organizations that have written their comment letters to share them with us.  We will be adding them to a new section of our website!  You can email us yours at info@chwha.org.

Also – DON’T FORGET! There are also ONLY 2 DAYS left to grab your “I stand with the wild horses of TRNP” shirt!  Get your order in by January 31^st here: https://stores.logomagicinc.com/savetrnphorses/shop/home

We hope to see you in the arena!

Thank you for your support!

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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.