Ginger Kathrens, Nominated to National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board
Nomination by Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, with recommendations from Congressmen Raul Grijalva, Jim Moran and Eric Cantor.
WASHINGTON, DC (August 20, 2013) – Ginger Kathrens, Founder and Executive Director of The Cloud Foundation (TCF) was nominated to the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board position of Public Interest (Equine Behavior) by Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), with recommendations from Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Jim Moran (D-VA) and Eric Cantor (R-VA). The uncompensated board provides advice to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the management, protection and control of wild free roaming horses and burros on public lands.
In her letter nominating Kathrens, Congresswoman Grisham said, “Ms. Kathrens understands the complexities of the issues surrounding wild horses. I have seen her continuously maintain the highest level of integrity, exercising sound judgment and developing creative solutions to problems that arise in this challenging area. Her efforts to educate the public and foster strong relationships among all stakeholders have established her as a leader in this field. She is known for her calm demeanor and balanced approach to complex issues, making her an ideal fit for this appointment.”
Congressman Grijalva stated, “Ms. Kathrens has the experience and background to help make policy changes a reality. Her addition to the board will provide an important and experienced voice.” Congressman Moran commented, “Ms Kathrens is one of the most highly qualified persons in the country to hold this position.” He went on to say, “Kathrens has a proven track record of offering positive and constructive feedback to the Bureau of Land Management…”
An Emmy Award-winning producer, cinematographer, writer and editor as well as award winning author, Kathrens’ resume includes nearly 20 years of documenting wild horses in the Pryor Mountains of Montana, and creation of The Cloud Series, for PBS’s “Nature” series. The first Cloud program was voted the most popular in the program’s 25 year history. Kathrens has a life-long fascination with wild animals and a sound foundation in agriculture and the challenges of making a living raising cattle. These are qualities and sensibilities that allow her to understand the challenges the BLM faces in managing public lands and their multiple use mandate. She is also an adopter and trainer of wild mustangs, and, through TCF, has rescued many Pryor mustangs and helped in finding them good homes. Ginger is currently helping publicize the auction of The Badlands Horses scheduled for round up in September in Teddy Roosevelt National Park to insure that those historical horses do not end up in slaughter houses.
Of her nomination Kathrens said, “Many Americans don’t even know we have these incredible animals roaming free on public lands. Those that do, want them protected. If selected for this position I would try to represent the public’s wishes and give voice to our freedom-loving wild mustangs and the burros.”
Given the National Academy of Science recommendations to the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, the Department of Interior would be taking positive steps toward fulfilling it’s promise to increase transparency and make good on its promise to more humane treatment of wild horses and burros if Kathrens is chosen. With Ginger Kathrens commitment to “on the range management” of wild horses and burros, her recommendations could also reduce the enormous annual BLM Wild Horse and Burro Budget which now exceeds $78 million, 70% of which goes to Roundups and Holding costs.