MISSOULA, Mont. — Help is on the way to bolster habitat for elk, mule deer, black bears, turkey, quail and other wildlife in California.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $1,283,263 for 20 different projects ranging from habitat stewardship and wildlife management work to hunter education and mentored youth hunts, as well as youth trap shooting, air rifle and archery teams. RMEF allocated $331,132 that leveraged $952,131 in partner funding.
“Among other things, we’re excited to support two research projects to further scientific elk knowledge. One of them places GPS collars on tule elk to monitor their movement and challenges with road barriers north of Sacramento,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “The other focuses on bull elk population dynamics, habitat use, migration corridors and survival in northern California just south of the Oregon border.”
There are 28 RMEF chapters across California.
“Hats off to our volunteers who planned and hosted RMEF banquets across the state. Thanks to their good work, we have this funding to put back on the ground in their backyards,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.
Dating back to 1988, RMEF and its partners completed 684 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in California with a combined value of more than $87 million. Those projects conserved or enhanced 206,409 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 37,114 acres.
Click here to view a full list of the specific projects and their locations.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded in 1984 and fueled by hunters, RMEF has conserved more than 8.9 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.