Southern Appalachian Elk Country to Receive $1.45 Million in Conservation Funding
Posted on: Oct 19, 2022
MISSOULA, Mont. — Furthering more than three decades of support in the region, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated more than $1.45 million dollars over the next two years to benefit elk and elk country in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
“RMEF always has and remains deeply invested in restoring elk to their historic range and ensuring their future success,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “This two-year commitment bolsters elk populations by supplying grant funding for habitat enhancement, land conservation and access, research and wildlife management projects across the five states.”
RMEF supplied nearly $650,000 in funding that leveraged more than $800,000 from partner groups.
Specific project work includes creating wildlife water sources, forest thinning, prescribed burning, invasive vegetation treatment, forage enhancement, chronic wasting disease surveillance, calf survival and genetic analysis research, and conserving two parcels for elk habitat and to improve public access for elk hunting and other recreational activities.
Go here to view a map and details of all 15 projects.
“It wasn’t that long ago that there were no elk in the Southern Appalachians, but thanks to dedicated state agency partners and support from sportsmen and women, populations are thriving,” said Weaver.
RMEF supplied funding and volunteer support to assist with the restoration of elk to Kentucky in 1997 followed by additional restorations in Tennessee (2000), North Carolina (2001), Virginia (2012) and West Virginia (2016). Each of the states, except North Carolina and West Virginia, hold an annual elk hunt that combine to raise millions of dollars for elk management. Virginia held its inaugural elk hunt in 2022.
Dating back to 1990, RMEF and its partners completed 580 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in the five states mentioned above with a combined value of more than $37.8 million. These projects conserved or enhanced 126,619 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 113,429 acres.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded more than 38 years ago and fueled by hunters, RMEF maintains more than 225,000 members and has conserved more than 8.5 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.