July 22, 2009
Elk Foundation Grants to Benefit 13 Pennsylvania Counties
MISSOULA, Mont.—Thirteen counties in Pennsylvania are slated for conservation education and wildlife habitat projects using $146,996 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Armstrong, Blair, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Jefferson, Lehigh, Lycoming, Mercer, Potter, Sullivan and Washington counties.
Three additional projects have statewide interest.
“Our volunteers across Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania projects, listed by county:
Armstrong County—Sponsor Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation; sponsor Keystone Junior Sportsmen’s Club project to develop forage plots to enhance wildlife habitat.
Blair County—Sponsor Blair County 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Clarion County—Sponsor Clarion County 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Elk County—Assist with funding for Pennsylvania Elk Country Visitor Center (under construction), a $12.4 million partnership project between the commonwealth and RMEF; plant forage plots to enhance wildlife habitat at the above site; assist with St. Marys Area Middle School 2009 Helping Hands for Habitat with habitat stewardship projects for elk.
Erie County—Sponsor Erie County Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Fayette County—Sponsor Fayette Gun Club 2009 Shooting and Conservation Program to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Jefferson County—Sponsor Camp Friendship Fishing Derby to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Lehigh County—Sponsor Camp Compass Academy 2009 Shooting Program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Lycoming County—Sponsor Muncy Creek Sportsmen 2009 Youth Outdoor Education project to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Sullivan County).
Mercer County—Sponsor Mercer County 2009 Youth Conservation Camp to introduce youths to conservation and related outdoor issues.
Potter County—Sponsor Keith Kelligan Kids Fishing Derby to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Statewide—Sponsor Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education Teacher Workshops to educate teachers about wildlife, habitat and conservation; sponsor Pennsylvania 2009 Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to education lawmakers about conservation issues; sponsor Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the Harvest which provides hunter-harvested venison to underprivileged families.
Sullivan County—Sponsor East Lycoming and Sullivan County School Districts 2009 Outdoor Education to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation (also affects Lycoming County); sponsor North Mountain Sportsmen’s Association 2009 Youth Field Day; sponsor Sullivan County High School 2009 Shooting Sports.
Washington County—Sponsor Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors to provide hunting and fishing opportunities for disabled veterans; sponsor Allenport Rod and Gun Club Children’s Annual Fishing Contest; sponsor Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association Junior Trap League and Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association 2009 Youth Field Day; sponsor California Hill Gun Club 2009 Scholastic Clay Target Program.
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 175 education and conservation projects in Pennsylvania with a value of more than $14.4 million.
Partners for 2009 projects in Pennsylvania include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Thoresen Foundation, Safari Club International, Eastern Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and many individual donors, local sportsmen associations, landowners and conservation organizations.