William E. Simpson II is an ethologist living among and studying free-roaming native species American wild horses. William is the award-winning producer of the micro-documentary film 'Wild Horses'. He is the author of a new Study about the behavioral ecology of wild horses, two published books and more than 150 published articles on subjects related to wild horses, wildlife, wildfire, and public land (forest) management. He has appeared on NBC NEWS, ABC NEWS, CBS NEWS, theDoveTV and has been a guest on numerous talk radio shows including the Lars Larson Show, the Bill Meyer Show, NPR Jefferson Public Radio and NPR National Radio.
2 Comments
Maybe hold off deer hunting for a couple of years?
We can and should do two things ASAP:
1. Employ and enhanced herbivory program where;
a. Ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep and goats are deployed as much as possible into areas that are ecologically suited to ruminant grazing (ruminants should never be used in designated wilderness because extensive published science proves that their constant grazing will ultimately strip-off native cover crops); and,
b. And until decades of proper cervid management restores the millions of depleted deer and elk in CA & OR, we can fill some of the grazing gap in selected appropriate wilderness areas not suited to livestock fire grazing by reintroducing native species American wild horses. Each horse deployed in this manner provided taxpayers with $72,000.00 in wildfire fuels mitigation & maintenence during its lifespan (approx. 20-yers). Here is an article that explains how that works:
https://pagosadailypost.com/2021/02/05/opinion-the-dollars-and-cents-of-americas-wild-horses/
The Insurance Industry and national media have caught wind of the Nature-based wildfire fuels management plan called ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’, which helped CALFIRE during the 2018 Klamathon Fire:
Herein below are some informational videos and articles about ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’ and how and where it can be used cost-effectively to reduce the frequency, size and intensity of wildfires and deadly toxic smoke:
*Chris Gill: Pitchstone Waters (ranch in Yellowstone owned by Chris Gill): https://pitchstonewaters.com/understanding-wild-horse-fire-brigade/
*Mike Schultz: Founder of the Kansas Cattleman’s Assn, Board Member R-CALF, Vice President – Board Member Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM)
These Media outlets, especially the Insurance Industry analysts (AM BEST) have a dog in fight and are in the exact same boat as homeowners and taxpayers who LOSE MONEY, their homes, and their health from toxic smoke (from wildfires and Prescribed fire smoke).
People, agencies and orgs who MAKE MONEY from wildfires (suppression businesses, prescribed burns, etc.) arguably have a conflict of interest , and should not have a seat at the table in regard to plans that reduce catastrophic wildfire and toxic smoke… SOME of this category of agencies, businesses and people see any reduction in wildfire as a negative impact to their incomes.
1. AM BEST TV (Insurance Industry): https://www.ambest.com/video/video.aspx?s=1&rc=wildhorses323
2. NPR national Science: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/30/1131042723/preventing-wildfire-with-the-wild-horse-fire-brigade
3. Chronicle of Philanthropy: https://www.philanthropy.com/article/letting-wild-horses-run-free-to-curb-wildfires
4. The HILL: https://thehill.com/policy/equilibrium-sustainability/3585146-equilibrium-sustainability-wild-horses-could-help-temper-western-wildfires/
5. ABC NewsWatch: https://www.kdrv.com/video/more-wild-horses-equals-less-fire-fuels/video_8b3c4ab9-9e43-5c6f-ae4b-89351b795ab1.html
6. Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article267475488.html
7. GrazeLIFE (a publication of ReWilding Europe): https://grazelife.com/blog/wild-horse-fire-brigade-lessons-in-rebalancing-north-american-ecosystems-by-rewilding-equids/
8. Horse Canada: https://horse-canada.com/magazine/equine-welfare/can-wild-horses-help-prevent-wildfires-west/
9. German Horse Magazine โ Feine Hilfen: https://feinehilfen.com/der-kampf-um-amerikas-mustangs-ein-anderer-ansatz/
10. HorseTalk New Zealand: https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2022/12/16/award-volunteer-wild-horse-music-video/
11: KHON Honolulu: New Research Reveals Natural Selection Has Many Facets Affecting Genetics & Foal Survival Of Wild Horses
https://www.khon2.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/609358968/new-research-reveals-natural-selection-has-many-facets-affecting-genetics-foal-survival-of-wild-horses/
12. Sierra Nevada Ally: https://sierranevadaally.org/2022/03/23/blm-mismanagement-of-american-wild-horses-burdening-taxpayers/
13. Outsider Magazine: https://outsider.com/outdoors/news-outdoors/researchers-believe-wild-horses-help-prevent-wildfires-heres-how/
14. EnviroNews: https://www.environews.tv/022718-wild-horses-may-hold-solution-slowing-spread-fatal-chronic-wasting-disease-deer-elk/
Regards, William
P.S. Anyone who is interested in how we intelligently reduce the frequency, size and intensity of catastrophic wildfires and toxic smoke is welcome to reach out to me via email or telephone:
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 858. 212-5762