MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation announced the allocation of $2,356,017 in grant funding, co-contributed by its partners, to benefit elk, blacktail and mule deer, and other wildlife while increasing hunting opportunity in Oregon.
“These funds go to a good mix of projects to enhance wildlife habitat, scientific research and wildlife management work,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “It also supports youth recreational shooting clubs, mentored hunts and activities promoting outdoors skills and conservation education.”
The types of projects range from converting old fencing to wildlife-friendly fencing, meadow restoration, forest thinning, invasive weed treatment and seeding to a migration study, habitat use research and an elk and mule deer highway crossing feasibility study.
RMEF supplied $386,694 that leveraged $1,969,323 in partners dollars.
There are more than 14,000 RMEF members and 23 chapters in Oregon.
“We salute our volunteers for the time and effort they put forth to help raise this funding,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “Because of them, we are better able to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.”
Since 1986, RMEF and its partners completed 1,084 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Oregon with a combined value of more than $84.7 million. These projects conserved or enhanced 872,448 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 140,102 acres.
Click here to view a complete list of the projects.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded more than 39 years ago and fueled by hunters, RMEF maintains more than 225,000 members and has conserved more than 8.6 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.