WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Sign the Petition!
Sign the petition to show you are in support of Resolution: 4014 and help save the Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
We helped initiate a petition with the organization, Wild In North Dakota to garner support for Resolution 4014. With its passage, our aim is to underscore the public's backing for it. It's a unique and heartening situation where both the people and the government are aligned in the shared pursuit of a common goal!
WRITE TO FIGHT
Those decision makers are:
Bert Frost,
Regional Director (TRNP)
National Park Service
601 Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102-4226
402-661-1736
Email: bert_frost@nps.gov
Dr. Herbert C. Frost (Bert) serves as the National Park Service's (NPS) Regional Director for the Department of the Interior Regions 3 (Great Lakes), 4 (Missouri Basin) and 5 (Mississippi Basin) headquartered in the regional office located in Omaha, Nebraska. In that capacity, he leads all NPS operations in 13 states which encompasses 58 park units, 8 heritage areas, 3 national trails, and over 1900 employees.
In your own words, Mr. Frost, Mr. Sams, and Ms. Haaland would benefit from any of the following:
Remind Mr. Frost, Mr. Sams, and Ms. Haaland this herd is an intangible cultural resource to this region and is a direct link to the first people and T.R. himself. There are copious amounts of documentation by T.R. in his own words.
Encourage Mr. Frost, Mr. Sams, and Ms. Haaland to be heros and initiate the modification of the mission statement of TRNP to include the living history that helped shape and define that region; the horse and later the longhorn cattle.
Encourage Mr. Frost, Mr. Sams, and Ms. Haaland to be super heros and have him suggest to congressional leaders to write law that permanently protects this herd as a viable reproductive herd for all future generations.
Educate Mr. Frost, Mr. Sams, and Ms. Haaland on the social media (SM) phenomenon! In today’s modern world of SM, that phenomenon has changed how humans interact with landscapes. There are millions of Americans who do not have the means to travel to TRNP. They experience TRNP through thousands of SM accounts. NPS benefits from ‘free’ advertising, and the public is exposed, again ‘free of charge’, to all creatures great and small in TRNP.
Share your own impact story about TRNP.
Deb Haaland,
U.S Secretary of the Interior:
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Phone: (202) 208-3100
Fax: (202) 208-1481
Email: exsec@ios.doi.gov
Website: www.doi.gov/about
Secretary Deb Haaland made history when she became the first Native American to
serve as a cabinet secretary. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th
generation New Mexican.
Charles F. Sams III,
19th National Park Service Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Email: charles_sams@nps.gov
Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III was ceremonially sworn in as the 19th director of the National Park Service on Dec. 16, 2021, by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Sams is Cayuse and Walla Walla and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Northeast Oregon, where he grew up. He also has blood ties to the Cocopah Tribe and Yankton Sioux of Fort Peck.
Be like Paul.
Use your knowledge and experience to write!
“I think they are listening,” Senator Hoeven said regarding the National Park Service. “It’s certainly not a done deal, and it’s important for people to let park officials know of public support for keeping the herd.”
Whiskey & Gates - Photo By Deb Lee Carson
This phase is over, please refer to above this line for additional call to actions!
There is alot to take in. We know this, but you are the horse's only hope…
It just takes one comment that is “matter-of-fact” to shape history. Can we get to 1 million comments?
TRNP CURRENT OPTIONS in Draft ea:
Opt A
Alternative A, the no action alternative, is a continuation of current management. Stewardship of the demonstration herds would continue under current management practices with a herd size objective of 35–60 horses and up to 12 cattle. Under Alternative A, the NPS may periodically introduce horses from outside sources to ensure genetic variation (NPS 1984).
Opt B
Under Alternative B, active capture, handling, and removal of horses and cattle would occur to reduce the herd sizes to zero in an expedited fashion.
Opt C
Under Alternative C, active capture, handling, and removal of horses and cattle would occur to reduce the herd sizes to zero, but with a phased approach for horses.
None of these options are acceptable to remain a viably genetic herd.
What You Can Comment (Make your comment matter-of-fact):
This herd is an intangible cultural heritage, for the
United tribal Nations, North Dakota, and America.The state of North Dakota, United tribal Nations, the
ND Goveneror, ND Senate, ND Congress, Board of Tourism,
and the town of Medora all support the horses staying.Will you ever visit the park again if the horses are removed?
State why, along with the rest of your comments. The park
has clearly stated multiple times, that this would not affect
tourism. We disagree.The herd must stay a viable, genetic herd of at least
150 horses.Non-profits and the state have offered funds and
support to keeping the horses in the park.Offer other fact based solutions to manage the herd.
Current Facts:
The draft EA did not properly source its information on visitors
in support of the wild horses.The state of North Dakota have done the following:
Legislators wrote and passed unanimously a resolution
supporting the herd.Offered financial assistance to the park
Offered professional resources in the ongoing
management of the prairies ecosystem to the NPS.This herd reaches over 2 million humans a month on
social media* (social media study done by WLWH)The United Tribes of North Dakota have written the NPS
in support of the herd and the longhorns.
On the last two pages of the draft EA it is mentioned that certain solutions will not be considered. WLWH believes there is still a case for these. If you present any of the below in your comments, please suggest information that goes back to the purpose and need (the P&N can be found on page 5). This herd must stay a viable genetic herd, to thrive.
Nonreproductive Herds Permanently Maintained in the Park
Reproductive Herds Maintained in the Park
Allow for a Minimum of 150 Horses in the Herd to Maintain Genetic Diversity
Manage a Reproductive and Nonreproductive Herd in Separate Areas
Manage a Herd for Historical and Cultural Significance
Manage a Nonreproductive Herd at Elkhorn Ranch
We believe that some of these are still relevant. This herd must stay a viable genetic herd to thrive.
***We will be adding more information and additional talking points as they come in!***
