Report on Bureau of Land Management Public Tour and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report details a public tour hosted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the Svaty Ranch off-range pasture. The event serves to enhance public understanding of federal wild horse and burro management, a program that directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Program Overview: Wild Horse and Burro Management

The BLM’s management of wild horses and burros is a critical federal responsibility aimed at maintaining ecological balance on public lands. This initiative is intrinsically linked to global sustainability targets, particularly those concerning environmental stewardship and collaborative action.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The core mission of the BLM program aligns with SDG 15, which seeks to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.

• Ecological Balance: With an estimated on-range population of 73,130 animals as of March 2025, far exceeding the Appropriate Management Level (AML) of 25,556, herd overpopulation poses a significant threat to rangeland health.
• Protecting Biodiversity: Unmanaged herd growth can lead to the degradation of 25.5 million acres of public rangelands across 10 western states, impacting native wildlife habitats and water resources.
• Sustainable Management: The BLM’s strategy of gathering excess animals is a direct intervention to preserve the delicate balance of these ecosystems for all species and authorized land uses.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful implementation of off-range care relies on robust public-private partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17.

• Collaborative Action: The Svaty Ranch in Ellsworth, Kansas, is a private facility under contract with the U.S. government. This partnership model is essential for providing long-term, humane care for approximately 62,853 unadopted animals currently in off-range facilities.
• Resource Mobilization: By contracting with private landowners, the BLM leverages non-governmental resources and expertise to fulfill its mandate, demonstrating an effective partnership for achieving sustainable outcomes.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The program promotes the sustainable management of natural resources, a key target of SDG 12.

• Sustainable Resource Use: By managing herd populations, the BLM works to prevent the overconsumption of forage and water on public rangelands, ensuring their long-term viability and productivity.
• Long-Term Care: Placing animals in off-range pastures like Svaty Ranch, where over 220 horses roam on approximately 1,700 acres, represents a responsible, long-term solution for animals removed from the range.

Public Engagement Event Details

The public tour is designed to foster transparency and educate citizens on the complexities of wild horse management and its connection to conservation efforts.

Tour Information

1. Objective: To provide public access to a contracted off-range pasture and offer insight into the BLM’s management responsibilities and conservation goals.
2. Date: Saturday, August 9
3. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
4. Location: Svaty Ranch, 1016 Avenue J, Ellsworth, KS 67439

Logistical Details

• Registration: No registration is required.
• Cost: The event is free of charge.
• Parking: On-site parking is available.
• Guidelines: Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Cameras are encouraged. Non-alcoholic beverages in sealable containers are permitted. Appropriate seasonal attire is recommended.
• Facilities: Restrooms will be available on site.

Contact Information

For further details regarding the Wild Horse and Burro Program, please contact the National Information Center.

• Phone: 866-468-7826
• Email: wildhorse@blm.gov

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) wild horse and burro program addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on ecosystem management, species protection, and collaborative efforts.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The core mission of the BLM described is to “protect and manage America’s wild horse and burro herds” and to maintain “healthy herds and rangelands.” The article details the challenges of overpopulation, which “threatens the land, wildlife and other authorized uses,” directly connecting to the goal of protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is relevant through its focus on the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The rangelands are a natural resource that supports the wild horses, wildlife, and other uses. The BLM’s program to manage the horse population is an effort to ensure the sustainable use of these rangelands and prevent their degradation from overgrazing, which aligns with achieving sustainable management of natural resources.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a key partnership to achieve its management goals. The description of the Svaty Ranch as “a private ranch under contract with the government to feed and care for federally protected wild horses” is a clear example of a public-private partnership. Furthermore, hosting a “free four-hour public tour” is an act of public engagement to foster understanding and support, which is a crucial aspect of building effective partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.

   The article directly relates to this target by describing the BLM’s efforts to manage “25.5 million acres in 10 western states.” The primary goal is to prevent the degradation of these rangelands caused by the overpopulation of wild horses, thereby ensuring the land’s sustainable use for wildlife and other purposes.

2. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt the loss of biodiversity.

   The BLM’s program is a direct response to the threat of habitat degradation. The article states that overpopulation “threatens the land, wildlife and other authorized uses.” By gathering and removing excess animals, the BLM is taking significant action to protect the rangeland habitat and the biodiversity it supports.

3. Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning.

   The entire Wild Horse and Burro Program is an example of integrating ecosystem values (healthy rangelands) and biodiversity values (healthy horse herds) into national-level planning. The contract with a local entity like Svaty Ranch demonstrates the implementation of this national plan at a local level.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   This target is clearly identified through the partnership model described. The article explicitly mentions that the Svaty Ranch is a “private ranch under contract with the government,” which is a public-private partnership. The public tour is an initiative to engage civil society and promote the partnership’s work.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• Indicator for Target 15.1 & 15.5 (Ecosystem and Habitat Management):

  The article provides specific data points that serve as indicators of the scale of the challenge and the management efforts.

  • Population vs. Sustainable Level: The current on-range population is “estimated at 73,130,” while the “appropriate management level” (the sustainable capacity of the land) is “25,556.” The ratio between these two numbers is a direct indicator of the pressure on the ecosystem.
  • Area of Land Managed: The BLM manages “25.5 million acres,” indicating the geographic scope of the conservation effort.

• Indicator for Target 15.5 (Species Management):

  Progress in managing the animal population is measured by the number of animals removed from the range and cared for elsewhere.

  • Number of Animals in Off-Range Care: The article states that “Approximately 62,853 animals are in off-range corrals and pastures as of June 2025.” This figure is a direct indicator of the scale of the intervention to protect the rangelands.

• Indicator for Target 17.17 (Partnerships):

  The existence and nature of partnerships are indicators of progress towards this target.

  • Existence of Public-Private Partnerships: The contractual relationship between the federal BLM and the private Svaty Ranch is a qualitative indicator that such partnerships are being used.
  • Public Engagement Activities: The hosting of a “free four-hour public tour” is a specific, measurable activity aimed at engaging the public and building support for the program.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hayspost.com