At WHE, our volunteers strive to gain desperately needed reforms to protect and preserve our wild ones in the multi-layered and complex world of public lands management. The work of our volunteers provides essential pieces that fit together, much like a puzzle, to expose all that is wrong so we can fight back to make it right.

One of our volunteers will have a birthday on Christmas Eve!

We take a moment to wish Colette Kaluza a very Happy Birthday! 

Colette Kaluza

Colette began her work with us in 2017 on the backside, focusing on research and legislation. In 2021, when our team needed a new roundup observer, she stepped into the public eye and took on the challenge becoming the Assistant Director of our independent animal welfare team (CAWP team).

Devil’s Garden, 2025

In 2025, Colette worked on many important projects.

A glimpse into the work of her volunteerism this year: She discovered an ailing baby burro when checking on captive wild horses at Palomino Valley Center north of Reno. We found out that this baby was failed by the system in many ways and included the report in a series on facilities last January. She testified at the annual Motorized Vehicle Hearing. She discovered that USFS had hidden steps to eradicate a small herd in California in a fire fuels plan. She play a critical role documenting the difficult roundup at Devil’s Garden where USFS did all they could to discourage observers as our team began litigation (still active). Colette also participated in our years long investigative work that has exposed exactly how BLM has failed to review welfare standards and create a real welfare policy.

Her work over the years has helped highlight the broken system and expose abuse. Her exclusive video of the first day the Pancake roundup where a colt snapped his leg was a critical part of litigation and spurred new legislation to stop helicopter roundups.

Colette wrote an OpEd about the experience that gives a glimpse into “who” she is. “One person can feel helpless. But don’t give up. Change throughout history has come from creating a ripple, and you never know how far it will travel. Out of this has come legislation and litigation.”

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Join us in wishing Colette a very Happy Birthday!

You can also take advantage of online shopping and holiday deals at iGive. Thousands of stores will give a percentage of sales to nonprofits, including WHE. If you are shopping online, register and pick your charity of choice as Wild Horse Education and help us while you shop!