On May 14, 1984, four elk hunters in northwest Montana combined meager means with perseverance to form the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Today, along with the rest of the world, RMEF faces a different kind of challenge—obstacles and shutdowns related to COVID-19. However, the supporters of this organization have exhibited the same resilience and determination that our founders did in the beginning. RMEF continues to further its mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.
The organization owes much of its resilience to volunteers. The driving engine of the mission is the dedicated RMEF volunteers who have overcome every obstacle in the road for 36 years. It’s fitting that RMEF’s 36th anniversary fell on the heels of National Volunteer Week which was observed April 19-25, 2020. Thank you to all the incredible volunteers!
Volunteers can be proud of these 2020 RMEF successes that mark the 36th year of their efforts:
- Completed nine land projects in four different states that permanently protected 12,133 acres and opened or improved access to 14,336 acres
- Played integral role in President Trump calling for full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund
- Awarded grant funding in Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming to conserve and enhance elk habitat, promote hunting and fund research, with millions of dollars for other states yet to be announced
- Launched a redesigned, mobile-friendly website to help engage more people with the organization
- Worked with Congress, state and federal agencies, state legislatures and sportsmen and women on behalf of elk-related issues
- Shined a spotlight on incidents in Pennsylvania and other locations in the U.S. and Canada to increase the visibility of poaching nationwide in an effort to better combat it