alayne

Alayne Blickle is the creator and director of the award-winning program Horses for Clean Water. Since 1997, Horses for Clean Water has taught environmentally sensitive horsekeeping practices through classes, workshops, demonstration farms, farm tours, and individual consultations. The program is funded through grants, contracts, and consulting and program fees. With more than 15 years of experience as an environmental educator, Alayne works with livestock owners on regional issues of manure management and non-point pollution reduction. She is also in demand as a presenter for educational institutions, natural resource agencies, horse groups, and other audiences in many parts of North America. In conjunction with Horses for Clean Water, Alayne also publishes The Green Horse, a monthly on-line newsletter supporting sustainable horsekeeping practices. Started in January 2004, The Green Horse now reaches more than 1,000 email addresses nationwide. Alayne contributes to other publications as well, including her monthly column for Northwest Horse Source, and articles for Equus, Horse & Rider, and John Lyons’ The Perfect Horse. As a photographer and producer she has created educational material and slide presentations. Alayne is a life-long learner. Her undergraduate college work focused on psychology and natural sciences (BA, Southern Illinois University). She has continued to expand and refine her education ever since, with an MA in communications (SIU) and post-graduate work in educational media (University of Washington) and fine arts photography (University of Alaska). She keeps her training current in the areas of natural resources, rangeland science, and equine studies. She holds the titles of Washington State University Livestock Advisor and King County Master Recycler and Composter. In her personal life, Alayne is a life-long equestrian and horse lover. She owns a 10-acre environmentally sensitive horse farm in Maple Valley, WA, where she raises reining horses. She has experience with a variety of horse breeds and disciplines and currently, along with her horse, Bob, she competes nationally in reining.