Marshall Legacy Institute

Marshall Legacy Institute Last year, more than 5,000 people were hurt or killed by landmines.

MLI provides Mine Detection Dogs (MDDs), management training, and mine awareness education to save and improve the lives of people and animals in war-torn countries.

In September, MLI Executive Director Elise Becker Burdette and Program Director Indre Sabaliunaite visited Baku, Azerbai...
10/02/2026

In September, MLI Executive Director Elise Becker Burdette and Program Director Indre Sabaliunaite visited Baku, Azerbaijan, to meet Mine Detection Dogs (MDDs) and their handlers.

For more than 21 years, MLI has partnered with ANAMA, donating over 100 MDDs to support landmine clearance. During this visit, MLI delivered four new MDDs, with more arriving later this fall.

Thank you to ANAMA and its dedicated handlers for helping build a safer, mine-free future! You can read more about our visit using the link below:

https://www.marshall-legacy.org/post/mli-in-azerbaijan-clearing-the-way-for-a-safer-future

Photo 1: ANAMA’s MDD teams line up to return to K9 headquarters in Horadiz after a day of work.

Photo 2: MDD Roy with his handler at a demining site.

Photo 3: Elise and Indre with ANAMA K9 Unit trainers

Photo 4: MDD Rex with his handler preparing for their landmine search

Photo 5: Elise and Indre alongside Glenn Hayter (left), Director of Training at Global Training Academy MDD Trainer, and Darko Lazarevic, MDD Trainer from the Mine Detection Dog Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Did you know that manufacturing and planting a single landmine costs $3 to $75, while clearing that same landmine costs ...
10/02/2026

Did you know that manufacturing and planting a single landmine costs $3 to $75, while clearing that same landmine costs $300 to $1,000? When a landmine detonates, the cost to a community is insurmountable; that’s why the Marshall Legacy Institute has been dedicated to the removal of landmines and the right for countries to be free from the fear of landmines since its founding in 1997.

Photo: MDD Dex’s Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) handler prepares Dex in a training field for a day of sniffing out mines.

We are just one month away from our 2026 Clearing the Path Gala! Please join MLI on October 28th at The Ritz-Carlton in ...
09/28/2026

We are just one month away from our 2026 Clearing the Path Gala!

Please join MLI on October 28th at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC to celebrate our mission to create a mine-free world and celebrate the impact of mine action.

We are excited to celebrate our distinguished honorees, special guests, valued partners, and honored speakers, alongside the remarkable mine detection dog teams and landmine survivors at the heart of our mission.

Purchase your tickets today! We look forward to celebrating with you!

https://www.marshall-legacy.org/2026-clearing-the-path-gala


Did you know that most of the Marshall Legacy Institute’s (MLI) Mine Detection Dogs (MDD) are adopted by their handlers ...
09/25/2026

Did you know that most of the Marshall Legacy Institute’s (MLI) Mine Detection Dogs (MDD) are adopted by their handlers upon retirement? These dogs generally work with the same person for their entire working career, developing an incredibly deep bond. When this is not possible, some dogs are adopted in the country they’ve worked to protect, or MLI brings them to the United States and partners with organizations like Mission K9 Rescue to place them in loving homes.

Photo 1: Handler Branimir Stnkovic from Mine Action Group Bosnia with MDD Simone and MDD Gizmo; MDDs Simone and Gizmo worked together to detect landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina for 7 years and are long-term best friends. To avoid separating the pair, Branimir adopted both MDD Simone and MDD Gizmo, who are now being spoiled by his family in their golden years.

Photo 2: Young MDD Gizmo, sponsored by the Hilda and Preston Davis Foundation, working in the field.

Photo 3: Young MDD Simone, sponsored by Stephen and Jacqui Edelmann, meets former US Ambassador Murphy

09/23/2026

Listen to our Executive Director Elise discuss MLI's mission at the International Mine Action Conference in Baku!

The United Nations has observed Sept. 21 as the International Day of Peace for 45 years. This year, the UN highlights th...
09/21/2026

The United Nations has observed Sept. 21 as the International Day of Peace for 45 years. This year, the UN highlights the importance of “Invest in Peace” across the globe.

For 29 years, the Marshall Legacy Institute has proudly invested in building peace after conflict. We thank the partners and donors who make this work possible.

Photo: MDD Dean, sponsored by Glenelg Country School’s CHAMPS program, and handler working in the field with the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA)

On Yom Kippur—a day dedicated to reflection, renewal, and healing—we reflect on our commitment to creating a safer, more...
09/20/2026

On Yom Kippur—a day dedicated to reflection, renewal, and healing—we reflect on our commitment to creating a safer, more peaceful world.

Everyone deserves to walk without fear of hidden danger. Today, as we honor a day of quiet contemplation, we remain dedicated to clearing landmines, restoring land, and bringing hope and life back to affected communities.

Photo: MDD Berta after morning practice.

Did you know that the Marshall Legacy Institute’s K9 Ambassador worked for six years as a mine detection dog? MDD Rico C...
09/18/2026

Did you know that the Marshall Legacy Institute’s K9 Ambassador worked for six years as a mine detection dog? MDD Rico Cosby retired from sniffing out landmines in 2022 after six years in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Now, he serves as the Marshall Legacy Institute’s K9 ambassador.

Students at Brunswick School in Connecticut sponsored MDD Rico Cosby under the leadership of then-student Henry Harris, who cycled cross-country to support the fundraising effort. They named the dog after a beloved late teacher, Mr. Cosby. Since retiring MDD Rico has traveled across 10 states to raise awareness, educate the public, and advocate for landmine removal and survivors’ assistance.

He recently completed the "Rico's Reach" fundraising campaign to sponsor a successor MDD. His legacy continues with MDD Champ, who completes training this year and deploys in 2027.

SHABO Wines are back! Our wonderful guests from last year’s Gala may remember the incredible Ukrainian wines served and ...
09/15/2026

SHABO Wines are back! Our wonderful guests from last year’s Gala may remember the incredible Ukrainian wines served and sold during the evening. A portion of global sales of all wines go towards demining efforts in Ukraine, and this year SHABO and the Marshall Legacy Institute's partnership is stronger than ever! Stay tuned to see what surprises lay in store for this year’s Gala…

We had a wonderful time hosting our partner Sam Lerman from Spyrt Worldwide at our office, and MDD Rico was a big fan of the wines selected for the gala!

Sponsor or attend the gala: https://www.marshall-legacy.org/2026-clearing-the-path-gala

Photo 1: MDD Rico and Sam Lerman.

Photo 2: MDD Rico with a selection of SHABO wines, brought to the U.S. by Spyrt Worldwide.

Today, we honor the heroes who died Sept. 11, 2001. In the years since, conflicts around the world — including those tha...
09/11/2026

Today, we honor the heroes who died Sept. 11, 2001.

In the years since, conflicts around the world — including those that followed — have left the ground littered with landmines and unexploded ordnance long after the fighting has stopped. For 29 years, the Marshall Legacy Institute has worked to clear that danger, so families and children can walk their own land without fear.

Today, our Mine Detection Dogs carry that mission forward — a quiet tribute to lives lost, and a commitment to the safety of those still here.

Support MLI’s mission by visiting marshall-legacy.org/fundraising-campaigns.

Address

2425 Wilson Boulevard , Suite 240
Arlington, VA
22201

Telephone

+17032439200

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Marshall Legacy Institute posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category