Why is Habitat Stewardship a key part of RMEF's mission?
A lack of active forest management, fire suppression, invasive species and disease are some of the most significant threats to quality habitat in elk country.
RMEF’s habitat stewardship work directly benefits a wide range of wildlife beyond elk including deer, bears, moose, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, smaller mammals, raptors and songbirds, insects, trees and native vegetation as well as many types of fish and other riparian species.
How RMEF Restores Elk Country
Working with state and federal agencies, private landowners and other partners, RMEF is combating these threats and delivering impactful on the ground conservation work.
Habitat stewardship tools include
- Prescribed Burns
- Forest Thinning
- Noxious Weed Control
- Aspen, Sagebrush-Steppe and Meadow Restoration
- Wildlife Water Developments
- And more
Stewardship projects by Treatment 2015-2024
RMEF works with a variety of stakeholders in every project that includes state and federal wildlife agencies, other conservation groups, and dedicated volunteers and members.
Projects are often brought to RMEF’s attention through local land managers before being vetted through RMEF’s PAC program to ensure that donor and member funding is being put to the most fiscally-responsible use.
All habitat stewardship grants and projects are closely monitored, with detailed project recaps required, to ensure that ever possible dollar is spent appropriately – ensuring the most effective use of conservation funding.
ArizonaAZ Rain Tank Replacement
In June 2021, lightning ignited the Rafael Wildfire in central Arizona, just west of Sedona. Before firefighters fully contained it one month later, it scorched more than 78,000 acres across the Kaibab and Prescott National Forests.
South DakotaWildlife Guzzlers Partnership
While RMEF volunteers assist with wildlife water guzzler projects in other regions, the Northern Hills Ranger District on the Black Hills National Forest is the epicenter for an impressive and productive partnership that now spans more than a decade. RMEF provides support for both grant funding to purchase materials and supplies, and volunteers to carry out the manpower in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. The goal is to get upwards of 50 guzzlers scattered across the district up to shape and back into operation, and to continue to monitor each site into the future.
ColoradoWildlife Crossing on US Highway 160
This project spans nearly two miles in a critical migratory corridor for both mule deer and elk between Durango and Pagosa Springs. Because this area sees an abundance of big game, wildlife-vehicle collisions make up more than 60 percent of crashes at this location. This multi‑partner project is expected to reduce those collisions by at least 80 percent.
Habitat Stewardship Acres
*Based on 2019 figures
How You Can Help Do More
When you join or donate to RMEF, you provide critical funding to ensure that RMEF can continue to be good stewards of the land long into the future.