Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Thriving as It Enters 40th Year
Megan Plete Postol 02.01.24
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the organization that popularized the “hunting is conservation,” narrative is riding a wave of celebration that includes its 40-year milestone and recent land conservation and access wins. RMEF and its partners successfully conserved and opened hunting and other recreational access to 54,636 acres of Kentucky elk range, the largest voluntary conservation agreement in state history in December. The month prior saw a similar landscape-scale collaborative effort in Oregon protected and opened access to 15,573 acres.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) Coverage on AllOutdoor
- RMEF Achieves Conservation Milestone in Appalachian Elk Country
- RMEF Habitat Conserved, Opened to Public Access in PA’s Elk Range
- Nevada Wildlife Habitat Gets $1.3 Million Upgrade from RMEF
- RMEF & WAFWA Partnership Commits $1.2 Million to Migration Corridor
- RMEF Achieves $1.45 Million in Grant Funding for South Dakota Wildlife
“These two projects, located about 2,200 miles apart, checked the box as long-standing strategic and organizational priorities to benefit elk, mule deer and other wildlife species,” Fred Lekse, RMEF Board of Directors chair, said. “Having said that, these are merely two of many significant 2023 conservation achievements in support of our mission.”
Since RMEF was established in 1984 it has conserved more than 8.9 million acres for elk and other wildlife. The organization 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.
2023 was a banner year for the conservation organization. Some highlights include the completion of 11 land conservation and access projects in Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia and Wyoming that protected 72,813 acres and opened or improved access to 77,960 acres; completion of 291 projects to bolster youth firearm and archery teams, mentored hunts, outdoor and conservation camps, and similar hunting heritage outreach efforts in 38 states; funding allocated for 130 habitat stewardship and 43 wildlife management projects in 22 states that enhanced 161,180 acres in support of calving grounds, winter range, migration corridors and bolstering scientific research both in the East and the West; allocation of $400,000 to conserve migration corridors and $250,000 for migration mapping; the surpassing of 8.9 million acres in lifetime conservation work; awarded $842,000 in RMEF/partner support for southern Appalachian elk country; wildfire restoration funding increased to $1.6 million for 2021-2023 projects; supplied $200,000 to advance chronic wasting disease research and management; OutdoorClass, a video-based subscription service for hunters of all skill levels was strengthened, and RMEF advocated for/helped restore nationwide school funding for hunter education and archery programs.
“We salute our volunteers who work to generate crucial funding for this work by hosting banquets and other events,” Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO, said. “We thank them, as well as our members, donors, sponsors and partners for their continued support.”
