Mustang Camp - promoting lasting change through Utah 4-H
4-H and Youth Programming
Jessie Hadfield
Utah State University
Nephi
Abstract
Many youth in western states are not familiar with wild horses and burros (WHB) and, therefore, have not formed opinions regarding their management. The maximum appropriate management level (AML) in Utah is approximately 1,956 while current populations are approaching 6,000. Current WHB populations are negatively impacting horse herd health, rangelands, and other wildlife/livestock throughout the West beyond Utah. The unique cultural symbolism surrounding WHBs makes management very challenging. Educating the public on the controversial topics of WHB, range management, and the role healthy herds have on healthy lands is crucial for implementing effective management solutions. Providing youth with educational opportunities outside of the classroom is an effective way of cultivating personal interest and conservation stewardship. In 2021 and 2022, Utah 4-H hosted three Mustang Camps as a potential solution to improve WHB awareness. These two-day camps provided hands-on, cross-disciplinary experiences to youth formerly unfamiliar with WHB and the unique impact they have on our public and private lands. Youth from 12 of the 29 counties in Utah were represented. Participants included 55 youth from a diversity of cultural backgrounds and 4-H project areas and 15 adult attendees including industry professionals, Bureau of Land Management employees, private land owners, and wild horse advocates. Survey data indicates that 100% of surveyed participants indicated an increase in knowledge or understanding of WHBs and range management. A majority of surveyed participants indicated they had changed their view about some aspect regarding WHBs and range management and were more open to adjusting current management strategies. Mustang Camp serves as a successful model which could be adopted by other programs. States facing WHB conflicts or other contentious environmental issues may find our model helpful in educating youth and helping to cultivate informed opinions for future policy makers throughout the nation.
Authors: Jessie Hadfield, Kalen Taylor, Steve Price
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Jessie Hadfield Extension Associate Professor - Utah 4-H Agriculture and Animal Science Specialist, Co-PI, Utah, 84648
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Kalen Taylor Extension Associate Professor - Millard County Ag and Natural Resource Faculty, Co-PI, Utah, 84728
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Steve Price Extension Associate Professor - Carbon County Ag and Natural Resources Faculty, Co-PI, Utah, 84501