Grants Available to Promote Land Conservation for Horses Through Equestrian Land Conservation Resource and Breyer® ELCR Also Announces New Benefit for Equestrian Partners

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) and Breyer Animal Creations® are offering funding for local conservation groups to protect land for equestrian use.  Applications are available on January 1 and must be received by midnight September 1, 2008.  Grant applications and application information are available on-line at www.elcr.org  or www.breyerhorses.com.

Many equestrians face the loss of land available for equestrian use - whether for riding, training, competing, breeding or growing hay and grain.  Land use loss is one of the greatest threats to horse owners and our country's equestrian heritage. "The impending loss of open land for horse activities has reached crisis proportions," says Deb Balliet, ELCR CEO. "Since 2000, economic, cultural, demographic and political forces have converted 13 million acres of rural land into subdivisions, malls, offices, roads, parking lots and resorts. In practical terms, what that means is that equestrians are losing 250 acres of open land per hour."

That's why Breyer and ELCR partnered to create a special model horse from which a portion of the proceeds will create a fund that will help local conservation groups preserve land for horses and horse related activity.  Breyer has pledged a minimum donation of $10,000 to ELCR.

Applications and information about the grant opportunity are available on-line at www.elcr.org or at www.breyerhorses.com or the application may be obtained by purchasing a Breyer ELCR benefit model which has an application within the custom designed packaging.

Equestrian Land Conservation Resource Announces New Benefit for Equestrian Partners

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) has launched an on-line bulletin board forum as an additional means of communication among ELCR's Equestrian Partner member groups located across the United States.  Any topic related to land conservation, stewardship and access for horses is open for discussion, and partners have the ability to access the entire Equestrian Partners membership for advice on relevant issues that are facing them.  Topics already being discussed include working with zoning and planning boards to protect equestrian interests, identifying horse friendly land trusts that can aid landowners in conservation efforts, and tracking unexplained trail closures.

Deb Balliet, ELCR's CEO said, "We are delighted to provide this additional benefit to our Equestrian Partners with the intent of raising the level of discussion and success in conserving land for horses.  Additional benefits for our members are in the works and we invite others to join us as Equestrian Partners in 2008 and beyond."

The idea of an on-line community forum came from a series of conference calls between ELCR and its Equestrian Partners in 2007.  Equestrian Partners are made up of equestrian organizations, conservation organizations and company's serving the equine industry whose leadership is concerned about the alarming rate of land loss for horses in the United States.  According to USDA figures, 250 acres of open space and grazing land are lost to development each hour.

For more information about ELCR, its Equestrian Partner Program and to become a member, visit www.elcr.org or contact Deb Balliet at (859) 455-8383

About Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR):

The Equestrian Land Conservation Resource is the only national not-for-profit organization assisting in the conservation of land for horses and horse-related activity.  ELCR serves as a clearinghouse and technical resource for land and horse owners on issues related to good land stewardship, conserving land, and preserving horse access on public and private lands.

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