RMEF Lauds Its Driving Force During Volunteer Week

Posted on: Apr 22, 2024

MISSOULA, Mont. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation honors and celebrates its dedicated volunteers for efforts to advance its mission during National Volunteer Week.  

 

From our chapter committee members to those who give of their time at work projects to our board members, RMEF volunteers are the driving force that advance our mission, said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. Without them, we cannot do what we do to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. 

 

Dating back to the earliest of RMEFs days, people from all walks of life recognized and valued this hunter-backed conservation group, so they donated their time, talents and efforts to support and sustain it. That dedication by thousands of volunteers continues today, said Fred Lekse, RMEF Board of Directors chair. 

 

During RMEFs first-ever fundraising season (fall 1985 through spring 1986), volunteers hosted seven big game banquets that generated about $30,000. Since then, some four decades later, volunteers have raised millions upon millions of dollars to put on the ground to enhance, conserve and open public access to wildlife habitat, support wildlife management and promote hunting heritage. 

 

Lifetime accomplishments: 

·         8.9 million acres conserved or enhanced 

·         1.59 million acres of opened/improved public access 

·         14,295 conservation & hunting heritage outreach projects 

·         $1.6 billion in total conservation value 

·         Elk population growth from 550,000 in 1984 to 1.1 million today 

 

Click here to become a volunteer and here to see a listing of upcoming RMEF banquets and other events.  

 

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 Americas hunting heritage. Discover why Hunting Is Conservation™ at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.