The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) continued its long-standing commitment to Colorado’s wildlife conservation and hunting by teaming up with partners to distribute nearly $4 million for 33 projects across the state in 2024.“This funding supports the largest single-state elk population in North America by bolstering five ongoing research studies, seven wildlife-friendly fencing efforts and 10 habitat enhancement projects,” said Jenn Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations. “It also allocated more than $340,000 to defeat a reckless anti-hunting ballot initiative that would frustrate proven wildlife management and supported nearly a dozen hunting heritage projects.” RMEF allotted $760,000 to help leverage $2,8 million in partner funding for the 2024 projects, many of which carry over into 2025.“We have more members in Colorado than any other state,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “They show how much they care for wildlife and wild landscapes by their commitment to raise this funding and also by dedicating their time and efforts to help with volunteer habitat stewardship work.”Dating back to 1987, RMEF and its partners have completed 894 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Colorado with a combined value of more than $209.8 million. These projects conserved or enhanced 510,000 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 120,000 acres.Here are some of the projects supported by RMEF funding in Colorado:
A collaborative effort to defeat Proposition 127, a citizen ballot initiative that would have banned the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats. Doing so would have circumvented the authority of Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists and scientists, who have relied on hunting for decades as a crucial tool in the state’s proven wildlife management and conservation plans.
Rocky Mountain Heroes Foundation, to help organize and carry out mentored hunts for first-time youth hunters. Participants are required to have hunter education certification and be RMEF members.
Hunter field engagement course at the Cameo Shooting and Education Complex. The two-day course, offered monthly, helps students who complete their hunter education to gain knowledge, skills and the ability to make ethical, accurate shots when afield.
Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, a group that works to enhance, promote, and defend the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and its principles of responsible, science-based wildlife management.
Of Mountains and Men, a nonprofit that hosts mentored big game hunts for boys ages 12 to 17 primarily without fathers and/or from the inner city. The program offers training in marksmanship, animal behavior, hunting techniques and game care.
RMEF funded well over $400,000 in Western Colorado projects alone, which grew to over $2.3 million with matching funds from our conservation partners. (No projects were funded in Gunnison County due to a lack of applications.) Gunnison’s World Record Chapter of the RMEF will host its annual fundraising banquet on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. at the Fred Field Center. For tickets contact Les White at RMEFWRC@gmail.com or call 970.596.0215.(Source: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) continued its long-standing commitment to Colorado’s wildlife conservation and hunting by teaming up with partners to distribute nearly $4 million for 33 projects across the state in 2024.
“This funding supports the largest single-state elk population in North America by bolstering five ongoing research studies, seven wildlife-friendly fencing efforts and 10 habitat enhancement projects,” said Jenn Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations. “It also allocated more than $340,000 to defeat a reckless anti-hunting ballot initiative that would frustrate proven wildlife management and supported nearly a dozen hunting heritage projects.”
RMEF allotted $760,000 to help leverage $2,8 million in partner funding for the 2024 projects, many of which carry over into 2025.
“We have more members in Colorado than any other state,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “They show how much they care for wildlife and wild landscapes by their commitment to raise this funding and also by dedicating their time and efforts to help with volunteer habitat stewardship work.”
Dating back to 1987, RMEF and its partners have completed 894 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Colorado with a combined value of more than $209.8 million. These projects conserved or enhanced 510,000 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 120,000 acres.
Here are some of the projects supported by RMEF funding in Colorado:
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here