The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation gets a lot of attention in and around the state of Wyoming – and for good reason! Now it received some more. The Wyoming Department of Game and Fish highlighted its successful partnership with RMEF in its just released 2021 Statewide Habitat Plan Annual Report.
“RMEF is a common partner for habitat restoration, conservation easements, land acquisition and public access across the state,” wrote Brian Nesvik, Game and Fish director. “In addition to financial support, RMEF volunteers often contribute to on-the-ground project implementation. Thank you, RMEF, for your ongoing commitment to habitats!”
The report highlights RMEF’s contributions in 13 different 2021 projects including its part with the purchase of an access agreement that improved public access for hunters, anglers and others to nearly 33,000 acres of previously difficult to reach public land in the Sublette Mountain Range of western Wyoming.
Other collaborative projects mentioned included funding for two research efforts and an array of habitat enhancement work such as the removal of decadent mountain mahogany, improving riparian habitat near streams and in wetlands, installing wildlife-friendly fencing, enhancing aspen stands, stabilizing creek banks to reduce erosion, fighting invasive weed species and other projects.
In 2021, Wyoming’s conservation partners invested $10.5 million toward 226 different habitat projects statewide to benefit more than 800 species.
“Quality habitat is a cornerstone of wildlife management,” said Nesvik. “That’s why the Wyoming Game and Fish Department continues to invest heartily to sustain wild and healthy populations of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.”
Since 1986, RMEF and its partners completed 892 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Wyoming with a combined value of more than $175.9 million. These projects conserved and enhanced 1,261,048 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 200,696 acres.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)