May 8, 2008
 

Elk Foundation Announces New Mexico Conservation Grants

 
MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has announced its 2008 grants for conservation projects in New Mexico.

Seven grants, totaling $109,000, have been awarded. Grants will affect Catron, Lincoln, Mora, Otero and Taos counties.

“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in New Mexico,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets as well as auction proceeds from special hunting tags in New Mexico.”

Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following New Mexico conservation projects, listed by county:

Catron County—Prescribe burn 38,042 acres of BLM lands to remove pinion and juniper and enhance habitat for elk and other wildlife.

Lincoln County—Thin encroaching pinion/juniper to improve forage for elk, deer and other species on 800 acres in Lincoln National Forest.

Mora County—Install structures to divert runoff water for wetting a wildlife foraging area, improving the region’s elk habitat; prescribe burn 200 acres to enhance habitat in Santa Fe National Forest; restore cottonwood, willow, currant, chokecherry, wild plum and other browse plants on 50 acres of year-round elk habitat.

Otero County—Create five-acre openings in pinion/juniper-choked area, improving a total of 800 acres of forage for elk in Lincoln National Forest.

Taos County—Re-seed native grasses to improve summer and winter range for elk on up to 2,243 acres of BLM lands.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 200 conservation projects in New Mexico with a value of nearly $16 million. Partners for 2008 projects in New Mexico include Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations.