Kathi Fine to Receive BLM Excellence in Interpretation or Education Award

Kathi Fine to Receive BLM Excellence in Interpretation or Education Award
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District Wild Horse Adoption Coordinator Kathi Fine is the winner of the silver award in the BLM’s 2013 “Excellence in Interpretation or Education” competition.

ROCK SPRINGS – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District Wild Horse Adoption Coordinator Kathi Fine is the winner of the silver award in the BLM’s 2013 “Excellence in Interpretation or Education” competition.

The national award will be presented to Fine at the “Excellence in Interpretation” ceremony on Nov. 7, which will be held in conjunction with the National Association for Interpretation’s (NAI) 2013 National Workshop at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nev.

Ms. Fine is recognized as a co-founder of the Mustang Versatility Trail Ride Buckle Series, which showcases wild horses, but offers trail rides, obstacle courses and timed games for riders of all skill levels on all breeds of horses. Wild horse adoptions, gentling clinics and holding facility tours are also part of each event. The summer series promotes partnerships between Federal and local government, industry, and agricultural interests as sponsors include the BLM, the Green River and Rock Springs Chambers of Commerce, Southwestern Wool Warehouse, Stacked Heart Ranch in Farson, Wyo., QEP Resources, Inc. and Wamsutter Conoco. The event has become so popular; it has expanded to include the Saratoga Mustang Versatility.

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During the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility’s annual winter adoption, Fine also developed an educational outreach opportunity for all Sweetwater County fourth graders to tour the facility so they could see, touch, and learn about wild horses and the BLM’s role in managing them. More than 500 elementary school children have participated in the tours and the associated wild horse drawing contest.

“I am just so surprised, and very honored,” says Fine upon learning of the award. “This is really a team effort, and I am in awe and humbled.”

“We are very proud of Kathi,” states BLM Wyoming Wild Horse Adoption Coordinator Amy Ruhs. “She really cares about the mustangs, our adoptors, and sharing that passion with our future generation. Kathi is truly deserving of this award.”

Bruneau, Idaho Field Office Natural Resource Specialist Holly Beck will receive the gold award during the ceremony which will recognize winners from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and NAI.