RMEF & Partners Donate $7.8 Million to Rehab Wildfire-Charred Forests
Adam Scepaniak 06.26.23
There have been a lot of wildfire-charred forests throughout the western plains and mountains within the last year and the results are devastating. Displacing animals, destroying habitat, and ruining homes for people and wild creatures alike. That is why it is so wonderful to hear that once again the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and its partners are giving back to the tune of $7.8 Million to rehabilitate and build-back habitat.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) Coverage on AllOutdoor
- RMEF Helps Expand Montana’s Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area
- RMEF Donates $3.3 Million to Oregon for Wildfire Rehab, Habitat Work
- Wisconsin Elk Habitat, Public Access Get $340K Boost from RMEF
- RMEF Conserves Big Hole Valley Habitat in Montana
As of today, there are 41 wildfire restoration grants awarded to 10 states from 2021 through April 2023 with work continuing through 2025. This is all a part of a calculated plan from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to always keep giving back. A full list of their most recent charitable efforts and where they hit home can be read below:
- Nevada
- Wildcat Wildfire Antelope Bitterbrush Planting – Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
- Utah
- Halfway Hill Wildfire Rehab & Stabilization – Fishlake National Forest, BLM Color County District, Fillmore Wildlife Management Area & private land
- Washington
- Lick Creek Wildfire Native Grass Reseeding – Asotin Creek Wildlife Area
- Vantage Highway Wildfire Restoration – L.T. Murray Wildlife Area
- Wyoming
- Ryan Wildfire Cheatgrass Treatment – Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland
- Mullen Wildfire Musk Thistle Control in the Platte River Wilderness – Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests
Missoula, Montana –The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation allotted $330,000 in 2023 grant funding to help recover habitat for elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn antelope, sage grouse, turkey and other wildlife, upping its overall 2021-2023 commitment to $1.6 million. Those funds helped leverage $6.2 million from RMEF’s conservation partners.
“Healthy forests mean healthy habitat. These active forest management projects positively affect elk and scores of other species,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We recognize this would not happen without the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state and county agencies, private landowners and other partnerships.”
Habitat enhancement projects include invasive weed treatment, planting native grasses and shrubs, aspen restoration, conifer thinning, fence removal and/or replacement with wildlife-friendly fencing, riparian restoration and repairing or constructing wildlife water sources.
The wildfire-charred forests of the west represent a growing problem. We continue to see more wildfire-charred forests throughout areas of Minnesota (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness), Canada, and of course, the western United States. If not for the efforts from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) the habitats for many animals would be in dire straits. As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
