DOINews: BLM: Northeastern States Celebrates Earth Day at Local Outdoor Recreation Resource Fair

On Friday, April 18, the Bureau of Land Management's Northeastern States Field Office celebrated Earth Day in collaboration with the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in Milwaukee. Steve Meyer, BLM supervisory wild horse and burro specialist; Kristine Fontaine, BLM wild horse and burro specialist; and Martha Malik, BLM public affairs specialist, staffed an exhibit at the fair, along with a host of organizations in the local area.

Steve Meyer, BLM supervisory wild horse and burro specialist. Photos by BLM.

Once the exhibit hall doors opened, the excited youth immediately made their way over to the BLM exhibit, which offered a fun-filled activity, horse posters, an assortment of horse related equipment, as well as outdoor recreation educational resources.

Above is a photo collage of the BLM display and employees at the fair. Photos by BLM.

The exhibit featured a display of horse-themed materials such as a saddle, chaps, cowboy boots, lead rope, bridle, halter, chinks and spurs. Meyer even dressed up like a real cowboy and facilitated a hands-on activity with a horse saddle prop. This prop gave youth the opportunity to hop on the saddle and simulate the experience of sitting on a real horse. The youth and parents alike enjoyed this activity. There were numerous cameras flashing as parents captured the moments of their children on the saddle with a real cowboy.

Above is a photo collage of Steve Meyer, dressed as a cowboy, giving youth a turn on the saddle. Photos

The Outdoor Recreation Resource Fair provided an opportunity for youth and their families to talk with BLM staff about wild horses and burros and how they can be gentled and trained for outdoor recreation pleasure. The horse prop provided youth a hands-on activity that they would not have otherwise experienced, and at the same time encouraged them to get outside and enjoy nature. The Earth Day celebration was a success, attracting nearly 800 attendees to the fair.

By: BLM Northeastern States
May 1, 2014