Restoring Elk Country – Migration Corridor Funding
It’s simple, really. If you don’t know where elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope migrate, you cannot understand the challenges they face nor conserve that critical migratory corridor habitat.
That’s why the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supplied $650,000 in 2023 alone.
A portion went to U.S. Geological Survey scientists map dozens of new western migration routes, marking the fourth and fifth volumes of such research. RMEF also provided financial backing for the first three volumes.
In total, scientists now have details and maps associated with 182 unique herds across 10 states, from the Pacific Northwest to the Rocky Mountains to the American Southwest.
Ungulates migrate each spring and fall in search of the best nutrition and to avoid deep snow as they have for centuries.
The data gathered helps land and wildlife managers identify pinch points, expanding development and other challenges.
Also in 2023, RMEF committed funding to reinforce a multi-decade partnership with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies that represent 24 states and Canadian provinces, covering nearly 3.7 million square miles.
That funding goes toward state-led, shovel-ready projects in 11 states ranging from movement studies and wildlife crossings to wildfire restoration, fence removal or modification, invasive vegetation treatment and assessing renewable energy development on big game range.
The 2023 commitments boost RMEF’s financial support to identify and conserve migration corridors over just the last six years to more than $3.5 million, which leveraged $29.5 million in partner funding.
Restoring elk country is fundamental to RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.
Since 1984, RMEF helped conserve or enhance nearly 9 million acres of wildlife habitat.