Join us for the 2026 FREES Summit October 5-8th in Boise, Idaho!
Trade-offs in Free-roaming Equid Management: Ecology, Economics, and Ethics
This year's three day conference explores the complex trade-offs inherent in managing free-roaming wild horse and burro populations, with a focus on the interconnected dimensions of ecology, economics, and ethics. Bringing together researchers, land managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, the event will examine how management decisions impact rangeland health, public resources, and animal welfare. Through diverse perspectives and evidence-based discussions, participants will engage in meaningful dialogue aimed at identifying balanced, sustainable approaches to one of the West’s most challenging and enduring issues. The event includes a full-day field trip to BLM-managed horse facilities.
Our purpose is to develop stakeholder-based comprehensive communication strategies and processes to manage free-roaming equids in concert with other public lands multiple-use objectives to achieve western rangeland ecosystem sustainability. All of this information will be used to continue to develop action plans towards our goal of Healthy Herds on Healthy Rangelands.
FREES seeks to enhance communication and engage diverse stakeholder groups in meaningful dialogue as we work together.
Thanks to Our 2026 Summit Sponsors
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