July 14, 2009
Elk Foundation Grants to Benefit 16 Wisconsin Counties
MISSOULA, Mont.—Sixteen counties in Wisconsin are slated for wildlife habitat conservation and education projects using $53,172 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Iowa, La Crosse, Marathon, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Ozaukee, Price, Sawyer and Washington counties.
“Our volunteers across Wisconsin helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and it’s part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.
Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following Wisconsin projects, listed by county:
Ashland County—Provide funding for radio telemetry equipment operated by students from Glidden High School to research elk habitat use and movement patterns in the Clam Lake area (also affects Price County).
Burnett County—Sponsor Coyland Creek Youth in the Outdoors Day to educate area youths about conservation.
Door County—Sponsor RMEF Door County Chapter 2009 Youth Sporting Event to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Green Lake County—Sponsor Green Lake County Hunter Education Outdoor Skills Day to introduce youths to conservation and outdoor recreation (also affects Fond du Lac County).
Iowa County—Sponsor West Park Youth Fishing Day to introduce young people to outdoor recreation.
La Crosse County—Sponsor Kicking Bear Youth Event to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Marathon County—Sponsor Marathon County 2009 Sporting Heritage Youth Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Monroe County—Sponsor Monroe County Hunter Education Program to teach safety, ethics and stewardship.
Oconto County—Sponsor Boy Scouts of America Bay-Lakes Council Hunter Education course to teach safety, ethics and stewardship.
Oneida County—Sponsor Oneida County Sheriff’s Department 2009 Gun Safety Program to teach hunter safety and education.
Ozaukee County—Sponsor Ozaukee County 2009 Hunter Education Program to teach hunter safety and education.
Price County—Sponsor Phillips Area 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths and others to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Sawyer County—Provide funding for highway warning systems, including a warning light, triggered by the radio collars on many elk in the area, to reduce vehicle collisions with elk (also affects Ashland, Bayfield and Price counties); provide funding for research on genetic variability and health of elk in Clam Lake area (also affects Ashland, Bayfield and Price counties); mow 55 acres, hand cut trees and shrubs on 30 acres and prescribe burn 5 acres to improve forage habitat for elk and other wildlife in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (also affects Ashland and Bayfield counties); sponsor Hayward Middle School National Archery in the Schools Program; sponsor Hayward High School David Brinkman 2009 Memorial Scholarship; sponsor Hayward 2009 Outdoor Youth Day.
Statewide—Sponsor Wisconsin 2009 Outdoor Education Expo for 3,500 youths; sponsor a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources biologist’s attendance at 2009 Eastern Elk Management Workshop; provide funding to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for printing the state hunting regulations booklets.
Washington County—Sponsor Daniel Boone Conservation League Hunter Safety Education program to teach hunter safety and education.
Partners for 2009 projects in Wisconsin include Glidden High School, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, U.S. Forest Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations.
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 160 conservation projects in Wisconsin with a value of more than $5.3 million.