Wyoming Receives $6 Million for Elk Habitat, Research, Public Access Work

Posted on: Aug 10, 2022

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners allocated $6,046,939 in 2022 grant funding to conserve and improve wildlife habitat, enhance public access and assist scientific research in Wyoming. RMEF directly granted $310,656 that leveraged an additional $5,736,283 in partner dollars.

“This funding is extremely critical and goes on the ground for 20 different projects across the state including wildfire restoration, aspen enhancement, invasive weed control, stabilizing stream bank erosion, conifer thinning, water source improvement and three research projects,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Other projects include conserving more than 2,200 acres of elk habitat, providing funding to improve elk hunting access on private land and more than a dozen projects that support hunting, recreational shooting and outdoors-related endeavors.”

There are 22 RMEF chapters and more than 7,600 members in Wyoming.

“Our dedicated volunteers have a long and successful history of generating funding at chapter banquets and other events in Wyoming,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We express our sincere gratitude for them and their ongoing efforts that help further our mission.”

Below are a few examples of the 2021-funded projects. Go here to view the complete list.

Albany County

• Plant up to 100 seedlings per acre across 900 acres of habitat on the Medicine Bow National Forest, where the 2018 Badger Creek and 2020 Mullen Wildfires burned nearly 200,000 acres. The project is part of RMEF’s ongoing $1 million commitment toward wildfire restoration work (also benefits Carbon County).

Park County

• Provide funding to identify the most crucial sections of fence to be removed or modified as part of research to assist elk migration patterns.

Statewide

• Provide funding for the state’s Access Yes program to secure and improve public access for hunting and fishing on privately-owned land.

Since 1986, RMEF and its partners completed 892 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Wyoming with a combined value of more than $175.9 million. These projects conserved and enhanced 1,261,048 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 200,696 acres.

Project partners include the Bridger-Teton, Caribou-Targhee, Medicine Bow and Shoshone Nationals Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, University of Wyoming and various conservation, sportsmen and other organizations.

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 nearly 8.4 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.