MISSOULA, Mont. — Thanks to a family that cherishes the high wildlife values of their land, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation protected 6,987 acres of habitat in southwest Wyoming.
The Michael B and Maurene Samuelson Smith family and RMEF instituted a voluntary conservation agreement for this beautiful property located about 10 miles south of the small community of Mountain View.
“This action is yet another example of Mike and Maurene’s conservation ethic and legacy as it protects diverse, yearlong elk habitat that also benefits mule deer, pronghorn antelope, grouse and other species,” said RMEF Managing Director of Mission Operations Jenn Doherty.
The Smiths are life members who joined RMEF in 2008. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) named the Smith family its 2009 landowner of the year for demonstrating outstanding practices in wildlife management, habitat improvement, conservation and wise stewardship of natural resources.
The Thunderbolt Voluntary Conservation Agreement covers acreage adjacent to public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, thus securing a vast undeveloped landscape for wildlife. Much of the property is open for public access via enrollment in WGFD’s Walk-In Access Program for Elk Hunt Area 107.
The accessible property features upper-elevation aspen and conifer forests, sagebrush steppe benches, grasslands and riparian habitat due to several perennial creeks that cross it.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Now in its fifth decade of conservation accomplishment and fueled by hunters, RMEF has conserved more than 9.1 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. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” ® at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.