January 30, 2008
Monster 2007 Propels Elk Foundation to 5.2 Million Acres
MISSOULA, Mont.—If a year’s accomplishments were scored like antlers, 2007 would be a trophy-class wallhanger for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The conservation group last year helped to enhance more acres of elk habitat and complete more land protection projects than anytime in its history.
In all, the Elk Foundation impacted 366,206 acres—a monster conservation effort that will benefit hunters and wildlife enthusiasts for generations to come.
Habitat enhancement projects were completed in 20 states. Work included invasive and noxious plant control, water developments, prescribed burns, riparian restoration, various research projects and more.
In 13 states, elk habitat was permanently protected from urban development via conservation easements and acquisitions from willing sellers.
“Highlights of 2007 included a new aspen restoration project along the Wyoming front, our organization’s first conservation easements in Arizona and Arkansas, our first easement on reclaimed mine lands, and a leading role in permanently protecting the largest remaining remnant of Theodore Roosevelt’s historic Elkhorn Ranch—a special place considered by many to be the birthplace of America’s conservation movement,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation.
The Elk Foundation also logged 190 conservation education projects last year.
Allen credited all of these successes to the Elk Foundation’s more than 150,000 members and 10,000 active volunteers, donors, partners and staff.
Since launching in 1984, the Elk Foundation has helped complete 5,740 conservation projects across 49 states and 8 provinces. The cumulative impact now tops 5.2 million acres, or 8,125 square miles—a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined.
Additionally, more than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation.
Headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. For more information, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.