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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation News & Updates
6/24/03
Welcome to "RMEF News & Updates." You are receiving this newsletter because you are a valued member and supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The mission of "RMEF News & Updates" is to help keep you better informed of the RMEF's exciting conservation efforts and most current news.
Another 7,118 acres moved into public ownership
A complex, multi-partner, three-year project to permanently protect more than 32,000 acres of elk habitat has ended with a bold exclamation point—the completion of RMEF's Watershed Project, the most ambitious land acquisition effort in organization history. Once a prime area for development near Anaconda, Mont., Watershed will remain a haven for hunters and others who love wild country. Its diverse landscapes vault up from willow-choked bottomlands to alpine tundra, with pine-spruce-fir forests and rugged peaks. The area is home to a wintering herd of more than 300 elk.
Elk Foundation pledge helps Tieton River Canyon project
The Washington State Legislature has granted $2.5 million to purchase 2,500 acres within the popular Tieton River Canyon in the foothills of the East Cascades. It is important habitat for the state's largest elk herd, a major migration route from wintering grounds near the river to summer range in the highlands. RMEF pledged $100,000 for the project. Lands will be purchased by The Nature Conservancy and transferred to agencies as public funds come available. Some will become part of Oak Creek Wildlife Area and will be open for public recreation, including hunting.
Governor vetoes Afognak land purchase
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski vetoed a proposed land purchase on northern Afognak Island near Kodiak, a proposal that had been approved by the state Legislature. The veto drew ire from Native corporations, conservationists, tourism boosters and local politicians. Afognak provides habitat for Alaska's largest elk herd as well as salmon, eagles, harbor seals, marbled murrelets and otters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kodiak Brown Bear Trust, and American Land Conservancy had joined RMEF in pursuing the Afognak project. The partners are now re-grouping and analyzing other opportunities to conserve elk habitat in Alaska.
Charity watchdog gives high marks to RMEF
The American Institute of Philanthropy, a watchdog group that grades charitable organizations, has given RMEF an "A" for its fiscal performance and open-book policies. RMEF and the Izaak Walton League of America were the only hunter-based groups to receive the highest ratings.
Double H Ranch expected to transfer by end of June
The Bob Torstenson family's widely publicized gift—a 211 square-mile New Mexico ranch—is expected to formally transfer to RMEF within the next few days. At closing time, a new RMEF subsidiary entitled "Torestenson Family Wildlife Center" will officially take ownership of most of the ranch property and the gifted $4 million endowment. The conservation easement will be assigned to the Mule Deer Foundation. The remainder of the ranch property will be transferred at a later date.
RMEF honored in NASCAR legend's museum
The garage where Richard Childress Racing worked on the cars that won six Winston Cup championships has been transformed into a 47,000 square-foot museum. The museum, opened last month in Welcome, N.C., memorializes the late Dale Earnhardt—winner of those titles—with memorabilia, trophies and banners. It also recognizes Childress' devotion to wildlife and conservation. RMEF, North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited are showcased along with mounts of animals collected by Childress. To see photos, visit the company's web site and click on the slide show.
Devil's Canyon Ranch acquisition protects habitat, access
Thanks to a consortium of conservation groups including RMEF, more than 11,000 acres of elk habitat have been permanently protected and opened for public access in northern Wyoming. The acquisition of the Devil's Canyon Ranch also re-opened another 20,000 acres of public lands where access for sportsmen had been controversially restricted. With its sheer rock walls and panoramic views of the Big Horn Basin, the scenic ranch now held by the Bureau of Land Management also has tremendous wildlife values.
National volunteer program to benefit public lands
RMEF, along with many other leading hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, is demonstrating its support and commitment to public lands as a charter partner in the new Take Pride In America program. The groups recently joined Interior Secretary Gale Norton to support this new national partnership initiative aimed at increasing volunteer service on our nation's public lands. Visit the new Department of Interior web site for details on program goals and ideas for citizen, group and corporate involvement.
Steve Wagner
Public Relations Director
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
PO Box 8249, Missoula, Montana 59807-8249
(406) 523-4542
Visit the Elk Foundation online http://www.elkfoundation.org/
6/24/03
Welcome to "RMEF News & Updates." You are receiving this newsletter because you are a valued member and supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The mission of "RMEF News & Updates" is to help keep you better informed of the RMEF's exciting conservation efforts and most current news.
Another 7,118 acres moved into public ownership
A complex, multi-partner, three-year project to permanently protect more than 32,000 acres of elk habitat has ended with a bold exclamation point—the completion of RMEF's Watershed Project, the most ambitious land acquisition effort in organization history. Once a prime area for development near Anaconda, Mont., Watershed will remain a haven for hunters and others who love wild country. Its diverse landscapes vault up from willow-choked bottomlands to alpine tundra, with pine-spruce-fir forests and rugged peaks. The area is home to a wintering herd of more than 300 elk.
Elk Foundation pledge helps Tieton River Canyon project
The Washington State Legislature has granted $2.5 million to purchase 2,500 acres within the popular Tieton River Canyon in the foothills of the East Cascades. It is important habitat for the state's largest elk herd, a major migration route from wintering grounds near the river to summer range in the highlands. RMEF pledged $100,000 for the project. Lands will be purchased by The Nature Conservancy and transferred to agencies as public funds come available. Some will become part of Oak Creek Wildlife Area and will be open for public recreation, including hunting.
Governor vetoes Afognak land purchase
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski vetoed a proposed land purchase on northern Afognak Island near Kodiak, a proposal that had been approved by the state Legislature. The veto drew ire from Native corporations, conservationists, tourism boosters and local politicians. Afognak provides habitat for Alaska's largest elk herd as well as salmon, eagles, harbor seals, marbled murrelets and otters. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kodiak Brown Bear Trust, and American Land Conservancy had joined RMEF in pursuing the Afognak project. The partners are now re-grouping and analyzing other opportunities to conserve elk habitat in Alaska.
Charity watchdog gives high marks to RMEF
The American Institute of Philanthropy, a watchdog group that grades charitable organizations, has given RMEF an "A" for its fiscal performance and open-book policies. RMEF and the Izaak Walton League of America were the only hunter-based groups to receive the highest ratings.
Double H Ranch expected to transfer by end of June
The Bob Torstenson family's widely publicized gift—a 211 square-mile New Mexico ranch—is expected to formally transfer to RMEF within the next few days. At closing time, a new RMEF subsidiary entitled "Torestenson Family Wildlife Center" will officially take ownership of most of the ranch property and the gifted $4 million endowment. The conservation easement will be assigned to the Mule Deer Foundation. The remainder of the ranch property will be transferred at a later date.
RMEF honored in NASCAR legend's museum
The garage where Richard Childress Racing worked on the cars that won six Winston Cup championships has been transformed into a 47,000 square-foot museum. The museum, opened last month in Welcome, N.C., memorializes the late Dale Earnhardt—winner of those titles—with memorabilia, trophies and banners. It also recognizes Childress' devotion to wildlife and conservation. RMEF, North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited are showcased along with mounts of animals collected by Childress. To see photos, visit the company's web site and click on the slide show.
Devil's Canyon Ranch acquisition protects habitat, access
Thanks to a consortium of conservation groups including RMEF, more than 11,000 acres of elk habitat have been permanently protected and opened for public access in northern Wyoming. The acquisition of the Devil's Canyon Ranch also re-opened another 20,000 acres of public lands where access for sportsmen had been controversially restricted. With its sheer rock walls and panoramic views of the Big Horn Basin, the scenic ranch now held by the Bureau of Land Management also has tremendous wildlife values.
National volunteer program to benefit public lands
RMEF, along with many other leading hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, is demonstrating its support and commitment to public lands as a charter partner in the new Take Pride In America program. The groups recently joined Interior Secretary Gale Norton to support this new national partnership initiative aimed at increasing volunteer service on our nation's public lands. Visit the new Department of Interior web site for details on program goals and ideas for citizen, group and corporate involvement.
Steve Wagner
Public Relations Director
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
PO Box 8249, Missoula, Montana 59807-8249
(406) 523-4542
Visit the Elk Foundation online http://www.elkfoundation.org/
