| RMEF Surpasses 7 Million Acre Conservation Milestone
 MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation capped 2016, a year filled with several organizational conservation milestones, by surpassing seven million acres in lifetime land protection and habitat enhancement projects. “This is a tremendous accomplishment that strikes at the very heart of our conservation mission. It is a reflection of decades of hard work bolstered by the support of dedicated volunteers, members, partner organizations, sponsors and many, many other good folks,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. RMEF seeks to permanently protect crucial elk range, migration corridors, calving grounds and other areas vital to elk and other wildlife. It does so by using acquisitions, access agreements and easements, conservation easements, land and estate donations, and other similar land conservation tools and projects.  Additionally, RMEF recognizes that healthy habitat is essential for wild, free-ranging elk herds so through the Managed Lands Initiative it helps fund and conduct prescribed burns, forest thinning, noxious weed treatments, water development projects and other such efforts to improve essential forage, cover, water and space components for wildlife. RMEF also supports and funds research and wildlife management work to help maintain healthy, thriving herds. |
In November 2016, RMEF, through the Access Elk Country Initiative, topped one million acres in new or improved public access. And in August, RMEF surpassed 10,000 lifetime conservation projects.
RMEF 2016 Milestones Summary
• Surpassed 7 million acres of conserved or enhanced habitat
• Topped 1 million acres of new or improved public access
• Surpassed 10,000 lifetime conservation projects
• Recorded eighth consecutive year of record membership, totaling 222,325 as of December 31, 2016
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 222,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.1 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.
