Where science meets stewardship

As the Bureau of Land Management recognizes International Day of Women and Girls in Science on Feb. 11, June Wendlandt’s career reflects how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) guides decisions in the Wild Horse and Burro Program. 

For nearly 25 years, Wendlandt has built a career with BLM rooted in science, stewardship and the careful work of managing wild horses and burros across the American West. After 15 years working in Wyoming, she has seen firsthand how data-driven decisions, teamwork and community support can lead to healthier rangelands — and more wild horses and burros going to good homes.

Wendlandt serves as the Wyoming/Nebraska Wild Horse and Burro Program lead, helping guide work that supports healthy rangelands and sustainable wild horse and burro populations. In 2026, she steps into a new role that brings the mission beyond the range and into communities across the country.

“For 2026 I am on special assignment with headquarters as Field Representative and Event Lead to Bring Freedom (a former wild horse) and Liberty (a former wild burro) across America for Freedom 250 for community engagement and promote the WHB program,” Wendlandt said. 

That assignment builds on years of work in Wyoming, where Wendlandt has helped expand adoption opportunities and connect more animals with new owners. After years of organizing and supporting adoptions across Wyoming, Wendlandt said one of her proudest accomplishments is seeing more wild horses and burros go to good homes each year. She credited the Wild Horse and Burro team and the contractors who provide well-trained animals for making that possible.

Much of Wendlandt’s work happens in herd management areas (HMAs), where decisions rely on science, monitoring and technical expertise.

“Work in the HMAs relies most heavily on science,” Wendlandt said. “This includes monitoring rangeland conditions and animal health, estimating population growth, and using that data to plan for reaching and maintaining appropriate management levels (AML).”

“These science-based assessments guide management decisions that support healthy ecosystems and sustainable wild horse and burro populations,” she said.

While Wendlandt’s career has been shaped by the technical side of land and animal management, she credits the people around her as the greatest influence on her path.

“Rather than a single mentor, the team I have worked with over the years has strongly influenced my path into science,” Wendlandt said.

“The Wyoming/Nebraska Wild Horse and Burro Program crew continually inspires new ideas and innovative ways to apply science in our work,” she said. “They are always looking for ways to improve rangeland conditions, develop more accurate population estimates, and apply science-based approaches to the feed, care, and overall management of animals in holding.”

Wendlandt said the work supports BLM’s responsibilities under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 while balancing multiple uses on public lands.

“My work is important to BLM’s mission because it directly supports the agency’s responsibility under the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 while advancing balanced land management,” she said.

“By helping maintain appropriate management levels within herd management areas, this work protects rangeland health and natural resources while ensuring continued access and benefits for local communities,” Wendlandt said.

In addition to the work on the range, Wendlandt emphasized the importance of humane care and long-term stewardship for animals that are temporarily in BLM facilities.

“Caring for wild horses and burros in BLM facilities until they are adopted into good homes or placed in off-range pastures supports humane treatment and long-term stewardship of these animals,” she said.

For Wendlandt, STEM at BLM means applying science and technical knowledge to real-world challenges with lasting impacts.

“Working in a STEM career at BLM means being able to apply science, technical knowledge, and data-driven decision-making to real-world land management challenges that have lasting impacts,” she said.

“It allows me to contribute to the responsible stewardship of public lands while balancing ecological health, legal mandates, and public interests,” Wendlandt said. “On a personal level, this work is meaningful because it combines my interest in science with hands-on service to the land and the communities that depend on it.”

Her advice to young women interested in science-based careers is grounded in confidence, curiosity and persistence.

“I would encourage young women to be confident in their abilities and not hesitate to pursue opportunities in science-based careers on public lands, even if those spaces feel

intimidating at first,” Wendlandt said. She encouraged young women to seek out hands-on experiences, mentors and internships whenever possible — and not to hesitate to ask questions or advocate for themselves. Learning on the job, she said, is part of the process.

“Public lands need diverse perspectives, and women bring valuable skills, insight, and leadership to STEM fields,” she added. “Staying curious, persistent, and open to growth can lead to meaningful careers that combine science, service, and stewardship of our shared natural resources.”