The Growing Crisis of Loss of Land
for Horse Related Activities
Land is disappearing at a rate of 6,000 acres per day. Once it is gone, we cannot get it back. Horsemen are losing trail access on public lands. Liability concerns are limiting our ability to ride on others' private land.
Only one national organization is devoted to saving land for horses – the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource. Our mission is to advance the conservation of land for horse-related activity.
In the future, where will you ride, drive, compete, race, raise foals, and grow hay? Where will your grandchildren ride drive, compete, race, raise foals and grow hay?
Loss of open land has been identified as the greatest threat to the future of all equestrian sport, recreation, and industry. By educating horse people and encouraging partnerships with conservationists and other user groups at the local level, the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is mobilizing thousands of equestrians to work for land access and protection in their communities. We recognize that without such concerted efforts, the horse world, as we know it, is at great risk.
At the 2008 Kentucky International Equine Summit, David O’Connor, President of the US Equestrian Federation and Eventing Gold medalist in the 2000 Olympic Games for the United States, acknowledged that the loss of land for horse-related activities was the greatest threat to horse sport, industry and recreation in the United States. To watch David O’Connor’s remarks, (Click here)
PRESERVING OUR FUTURE
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource educates horse people about the crisis and brings them together with conservationists to stem this serious loss. Our many programs include providing information and resources to horsemen on the following land conservation and access topics:
- Land conservation tools (farm conservation easements/restrictions, trail easements, purchase or transfer of development rights)
- Community land use planning and zoning practices
- Trail access, connectivity and shared use
- Equine economic development
- Land and trail stewardship management practices
- Liability issues
Visit our Library of Resources Page for specific information on each topic listed above.
EQUESTRIAN PARTNERS - WORK TOGETHER ON CONSERVATION
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource's Equestrian Partners program is a membership program for equine and conservation organizations. Our members are actively working on equine land conservation in their communities. Their commitment is saving land for horses locally through the sharing of information and advocacy. Click here to learn more about our Equestrian Partners.
The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource's Contributions:
- Collaborates with riding groups, such as the Highlands Equestrian Conservancy (MI) Friends of Callithea Farm in Maryland, to form nonprofit organizations to purchase and save their riding areas.
- Assists landowners to work with land trusts and community land preservation programs to create easements or restrictions that will protect land for horse use and benefit horse landowners through tax deductions, tax credits or cash payments to the landowner.
- Partners with such groups as American Quarter Horse Association, US Pony Clubs, US Eventing Association and Masters of Fox Hounds Association, as well as state horse councils, breed and discipline organizations, trail riders, and discipline organizations to save riding, driving, racing, training, competing and breeding lands.
- Serve as a clearinghouse for information, networks and resources about land and access protection.
GET INVOLVED
Please join in this vital effort to preserve our hobby, sport, and industry. Here is how you can participate:
- Begin or join a local effort to conserve land for horses in your community. Contact us to find a member group in your area or find out how to start one.
- Ask your equine organization to become a member of our Equestrian Partners program. Volunteer to serve as the Land Conservation Chair or Coordinator and be the liaison with the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource.
- Make plans to conserve your own farm or join a trail stewardship crew for a day.
- Participate in your community’s land use planning and zoning process. Provide your comments to the community’s periodic update of its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Encourage the inclusion of horse friendly provisions in your local or state transportation and recreation plans.
- Support the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource's efforts to raise awareness of the issue and provide information and guidance to individuals and organizations to conserve your horse lands in your community.
It is time for us to HOLD OUR GROUND
as tomorrow may be too late!
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