Elk Network2022: Strength, Stability and Conservation Success

Conservation , News Releases | January 31, 2023

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation rolls into the new year with a robust and highlight-filled 2022 conservation resume. In addition to teaming up with partners to award more than $29 million dollars for habitat enhancement, including wildfire restoration, and wildlife management projects, RMEF conserved and improved access to near-record, single-year acreage totals of elk habitat.  

“RMEF has a firm financial foundation of strength and stability which allows us to put more dollars on the ground. And that’s good news for the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage,” said Fred Lekse, RMEF Board of Directors chair.  

“We can’t say enough about the great support we receive from our members and volunteers, our state and federal agency partners, our outdoor industry partners and sportsmen and women from across the country,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We had some major conservation wins in 2022 and plan on keeping that momentum going throughout 2023 and beyond.” 

2022 conservation highlights 

  • Surpassed 8.6 million acres in lifetime mission accomplishment 
  • Completed 20 land conservation & access projects in 10 states that protected 91,271 acres – the third-highest, single-year total on record 
  • Opened or improved public access to 116,747 acres of public land in seven states – the second-highest, single-year total on record 
  • Awarded funding for 186 habitat stewardship and wildlife management projects that enhanced 176,087 acres of elk habitat 
  • Numbered 225,642 members & 11,000+ volunteers as of December 31, 2022 
  • Completed 226 hunting heritage projects 
  • Helped launch OutdoorClass, an innovative video-based subscription service for hunters of all skill levels 
  • Committed more than $1 million for wildfire restoration across western states 
  • Worked with partners to expand Kentucky’s elk herd 
  • Collaborated with partners to allocate more than $1.45 million in support of Southern Appalachian elk country   
  • Combined with partners to allocate nearly $4 million for scientific elk research  
  • Advocated for many issues that impact RMEF’s mission 

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: 

Founded more than 38 years ago and fueled by hunters, RMEF maintains more than 225,000 members and has conserved more than 8.6 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.