MISSOULA, Mont.—Wildlife conservation and public education projects in 18 Pennsylvania counties have been selected to receive grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2010.
The new RMEF funding, totaling $115,580, will affect Armstrong, Bedford, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Fayette, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Potter, Sullivan, Tioga and Washington counties.
Other projects have statewide interest.
“These grants are possible because of the successful banquets and fundraisers staged over the past year by our Pennsylvania volunteers—most of whom are elk hunters as well as devoted conservationists,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Since 1984, our annual grants have helped complete 217 different projects in Pennsylvania with a combined value of more than $20 million.”
RMEF’s lead volunteer in Pennsylvania, State Chair Ben Hoffman of Elizabethtown, Pa., said, “We are proud to support the elk program because it benefits many different game and non-game species. The projects that we funded this year meet the RMEF mission very well, which is something that all of our Pennsylvania members can be proud of.”
RMEF grants will help fund the following projects, listed by county:
Armstrong County—Provide sponsorship for Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League 2010 Youth Field Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Bedford County—Provide sponsorship for Everett School District Rifle Team to promote safe participation in shooting sports.
Cameron County—Improve forage for elk and other wildlife by applying lime, fertilizer, herbicide and seeds to approximately 2,000 acres of forage openings on state game lands, state parks and other public forestlands (also affects Centre, Clearfield, Clinton and Elk counties).
Clarion County—Provide sponsorship for Clarion County Youth Field Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Elk County—Improve 40 acres of habitat for elk and other wildlife by applying lime, fertilizer, seed and top-dressing to forage openings on public land (also affects McKean County); sponsor Keystone Sportsmen’s Club 2010 Field Day; sponsor Elk County 2010 Youth Field Day.
Fayette County—Provide sponsorship for Fayette Gun Club 2010 Youth Shooting Day to introduce students to shooting sports and conservation.
Lycoming County—Provide sponsorship for Dick Harner 2010 Kids Trout Derby to engage students in outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Sullivan County).
Mercer County—Provide sponsorship for Mercer County 2010 Youth Conservation Camp to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Montgomery County—Provide sponsorship for Lower Pottsgrove Sportsman’s Association 2010 Youth Program, a monthly education program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Philadelphia County—Provide sponsorship for the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Program.
Potter County—Provide sponsorship for Keith Kelligan Memorial 2010 Kids Fishing Derby to engage students in outdoor recreation and conservation.
Statewide—Provide sponsorship for “Who Goes There,” a wildlife research student activity activated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in southeastern counties; sponsor Wildlife Leadership Academy and teacher workshops for 2010 in partnership with the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education; sponsor Pennsylvania 2010 Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
Sullivan County—Provide sponsorship for Sullivan and East Lycoming county school districts’ 2010 Sixth Grade Outdoor Education programs to teach students about wildlife, shooting sports and Native American culture (also affects Lycoming County); sponsor North Mountain Sportsmen’s Association 2010 Youth Field Day; sponsor Sullivan County High School 2010 Shooting Sports program.
Tioga County—Provide sponsorship for Tioga County Sportsmen for Youth 2010 Field Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Washington County—Provide sponsorshipfor Allenport Rod and Gun Club’s Children’s 2010 Fishing Contest, an event to engage students in outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association 2010 Junior Trap League and 2010 Youth Day; sponsor California Hill Gun Club 2010 Scholastic Clay Target Program (also affects Fayette County); sponsor Pennsylvania Scholastic Clay Target Program 2010 Zone Shoots; sponsor Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors 2010 to provide hunting and fishing opportunities for veterans (also affects Fayette County).
Habitat projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities. Conservation education and hunting heritage projects are selected by RMEF field staff and volunteers.
Partners for 2010 projects in Pennsylvania include the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Game Commission, many local sportsmen associations and gun clubs, other organizations, corporations, schools and landowners.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.8 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.