American Wild Horse Conservation

What American Wild Horse Conservation does

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC; legal name American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Davis, California, that advocates for the protection and humane, in-the-wild management of wild horses and burros on U.S. public lands. The organization pursues this mission through four interlocking workstreams: federal policy and litigation (19+ active federal lawsuits and advocacy before Congress and the BLM); science and conservation programs, most notably the world's largest PZP-based fertility control program in Nevada's Virginia Range covering 3,000+ horses across 300,000 acres, plus land conservancy projects at Fish Springs (NV) and Spring Creek Basin; community-led advocacy via a 750,000+ online supporter base, an ambassador network of public figures, and grassroots action campaigns; and awareness/media outreach including Times Square and National Mall billboards, fact sheets, an interactive HMA map, and the co-developed IMAX film "Horse Power."

The underlying technology stack is modest but distinctive: a scientific field-photography database documenting individual horses in the Virginia Range, with facial recognition software in development to automate identification. AWHC also publishes an interactive BLM Herd Management Area map covering 10 Western states, updated quarterly. The organization's commercial analog is effectively zero — there are no products or services sold; AWHC is funded through a diversified donation stack including individual recurring and one-time gifts, planned/legacy gifts, securities transfers, donor-advised fund grants, and corporate matching via Double the Donation, supplemented by cause-marketing partnerships (Jenni Kayne, Devoucoux, Chantecaille, KT Merry, The Mare Project). AWHC explicitly disclaims government and corporate programmatic funding while operating with $11 million in federal appropriations directed to its fertility control program and a Charity Navigator Four Star / Platinum Guidestar profile.

Name

American Wild Horse Conservation

Legal name

American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign

Website

https://americanwildhorse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

American Wild Horse Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advocates for the humane, in-the-wild protection of wild horses and burros on U.S. public lands through federal litigation, the world's largest PZP fertility control program in Nevada, and a 750,000-member advocacy community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation Advocacy

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM)

Keywords

• Wild horse conservation
• Humane wildlife management
• Fertility control programs
• Public lands advocacy
• Nonprofit environmental advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Davis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly recurring donations from individual supporters. AWHC states it is fiercely independent and relies on generosity without government or corporate funding.
2. Planned/Legacy Gifts: Charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, charitable gift annuities, wills, living trusts, life insurance policies, and retirement plan beneficiary designations.
3. Securities Donations: Donations of long-term appreciated securities including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, providing full market value deduction without capital gains tax.
4. Corporate Matching: Company matching gift programs where employers match employee donations, potentially doubling or tripling contributions.
5. Donor-Advised Funds: Grants from donor-advised funds where donors recommend distributions to AWHC.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the humane, in-the-wild protection of wild horses and burros on U.S. public lands. It operates the world's largest wild horse fertility control program (PZP-based) in Nevada's Virginia Range, conducts federal litigation and policy advocacy, runs public awareness and ambassador campaigns, and delivers educational resources and volunteer programs to support wild horse conservation.

Product overview

American Wild Horse Conservation (AWHC) operates as a mission-driven nonprofit organization rather than a commercial product company. Its offerings span conservation programs (PZP fertility control, Virginia Range fertility program, land conservancy projects), advocacy tools (Wild Horse ACTION Center with petitions and public comment submission), educational resources (interactive viewing map, fact sheets, children's activity book), community engagement (ambassador program, volunteer program with Virginia Range darting and documentation roles), and media campaigns (billboards, fashion collaborations). The portfolio is organized around in-the-wild conservation, policy and litigation, science and research, awareness and advocacy, and community building — unified by the goal of protecting wild horses and burros on public lands through humane, science-based approaches.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PZP Fertility Control Program A science-based, humane wild horse population management program using Porcine Zona Pellucida (PZP) fertility control vaccines administered via remote darting, eliminating the need for helicopter roundups. Includes the world's largest fertility control program in Nevada's Virginia Range managing over 3,000 wild horses.
• Wild Horse ACTION Center An online action platform enabling supporters to sign petitions, submit public comments to the BLM, and take action on issues including Muddy Creek wild horse protection, Wyoming Red Desert wild horses, government program reform, and Salt River wild horses.
• AWHC Ambassador Program A network of ambassadors including leaders, storytellers, creators, and influencers who use their platforms to advocate for wild horse protection, raise awareness, and inspire action on behalf of AWHC.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities including Virginia Range darting and documentation, investigations and legal affairs, community relations and events, habitat stewardship, and wild horse identification specialist roles for the greater Reno area.
• Science & Conservation Research Program A scientific research program covering climate change impacts on wild horse habitats, ecological role of wild horses, genetic diversity and viability, habitat use and movement patterns, long-term population studies, predator-prey dynamics, and public lands grazing research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Near-zero population growth achieved in Virginia Range since 2019 through PZP fertility control
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• America250flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2026AWHC collaborated with Chloé Gosselin and Mono Lake Kutzadika'a Tribe on Nevada flag redesign for America's 250th anniversary. Presented by Vogue and CFDA at Rockefeller Center.
• SK FilmsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025SK Films serves as the global distributor for 'Horse Power,' an IMAX giant screen feature produced by Plimsoll Productions and EOS Films, with AWHC providing funding and support to highlight wild horse protection. The film features Josh Brolin as narrator and showcases equine stories across continents.
• Plimsoll ProductionsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025Produced the IMAX giant screen feature 'Horse Power' documenting wild horse stories, with AWHC supporting the project to highlight wild horse protection themes.
• EOS FilmsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2025Co-produced the IMAX giant screen feature 'Horse Power' showcasing wild horse conservation stories with AWHC funding support.
• Freedom Reign EquinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild horse sanctuary in northern California with over 500 rescued wild horses on 4,000 acres. AWHC ambassadors visit for events and photography, and the sanctuary provides rescue services for horses at risk from roundups.
• Jenni KaynecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDesigner and AWHC ambassador who hosts fundraising events (including Red Desert lawsuit fundraiser) and created the WEST candle with $10 per purchase donated to AWHC. Her home and lifestyle stores feature wild horse photography by Kimerlee Curyl.
• DevoucouxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquestrian tack company that donates 15% of tack sales to AWHC through August 4th campaign featuring Brandi Cyrus.
• Chantecaille Conservation FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConservation foundation partnered on social media advocacy, posting about wild horse issues and supporting AWHC's mission.
• Double the DonationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner platform providing employer donation matching search functionality on AWHC's company matching page.
• Science and Conservation CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces the PZP (Porcine Zona Pellucida) fertility control vaccine registered with EPA as ZonaStat-H, which AWHC uses in its Virginia Range fertility control program.
• The Mare ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership where 15% of The Mare Project product sales are donated to AWHC and other aligned nonprofit organizations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): The largest U.S. animal welfare organization with a dedicated wildlife and wild horse protection program that conducts advocacy, litigation, and lobbying on BLM policies. Comparable in advocacy strategy and federal-policy focus, but operates across many animal issues rather than specializing in wild equines.
• National Wildlife Federation: One of the largest U.S. wildlife conservation nonprofits with public-lands, grazing, and species policy advocacy. Comparable as a broad-based conservation advocacy counterpart that engages on overlapping federal land-management issues, though not equine-focused.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization with policy advocacy on animal cruelty and equine issues. Comparable as a large nonprofit with federal lobbying capacity and grassroots donor base, though its focus spans companion animals and broader cruelty issues rather than wild equines specifically.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National wildlife conservation nonprofit that litigates and lobbies on federal land management, Endangered Species Act, and public lands grazing issues. Comparable in its federal litigation and public-lands advocacy toolkit, overlapping with AWHC on habitat and grazing policy battles.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): Global animal welfare and wildlife conservation organization that engages in policy advocacy, rescues, and habitat protection. Comparable as a large-scale advocacy/operations nonprofit with similar donor-driven revenue model and federal policy engagement.

Direct peers

• Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation: Operates wild horse sanctuaries on the California coast and in South Dakota and runs fertility control / PZP programs. Most directly comparable to AWHC in mission (in-the-wild conservation), methodology (PZP), and advocacy posture; differs mainly by sanctuary-residency focus.
• The Cloud Foundation: Founded by filmmaker Ginger Kathrens, The Cloud Foundation advocates for wild horse protection on public lands, runs fertility control programs in Wyoming and other western states, and uses documentary media to drive advocacy. Closely aligned with AWHC on PZP methodology and federal policy advocacy.
• Skydog Sanctuary: Founded by Clare Staples, Skydog rescues and provides sanctuary for wild mustangs and burros, with active advocacy against roundups. Comparable to AWHC in equine-specific rescue/advocacy, though more sanctuary-focused and less litigation-driven.

Others

• Earthjustice: Public-interest environmental law firm that litigates federal land management and wildlife cases, including those involving BLM wild horse gathers. Comparable as a strategic litigation partner/enabler rather than direct competitor; AWHC has retained or paralleled Earthjustice-style federal litigation.

Emerging players

• Wildlands Network: Wildlife conservation nonprofit focused on habitat connectivity and public-lands grazing reform in the American West. Comparable in regional geographic focus and reform-oriented public-lands advocacy, though it works on habitat connectivity broadly rather than equines specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/FreeWildHorses
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@freewildhorses
• Facebookfacebook.com/FreeWildHorses
• Instagraminstagram.com/freewildhorses
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/awhc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Wild Horse Conservation