July 3, 2012
RMEF Secures Prime Elk Habitat in Idaho
Missoula, MT— The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation completed two projects that permanently protect almost 2,000 acres of prime elk habitat in Idaho.
“We can all appreciate that this property is an important big game winte range for elk and other wildlife,” said Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of Lands & Conservation.
In the southeast part of the state near Soda Springs, RMEF transferred the remaining portion of a 1,657 acre tract of land to Idaho Fish and Game after acquiring it from the Bingham family in 1991. The transaction adds an additional 907 acres to the now 3,349 acre Georgetown Summit Wildlife Management area, which features rolling, grassy habitat critical for elk, mule deer and other wildlife, and is open for everyone to enjoy.
The project took more than two decades to complete.”We are pleased to have worked again with Idaho Fish and Game to ensure protection of this important wildlife habitat,” added Henning.
“We are grateful for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s help in conserving this important piece of wildlife habitat,” said Virgil Moore, director of Idaho Fish and Game. “This partnership helped make the Georgetown Summit WildlifeManagement Area both a secure winter range for our big game herds, and year-round habitat for upland game.”
A second tract of land, also in southeast Idaho, is now permanently protected after the RMEF partnered with a family to place a conservation easement on 259 acres across Stump Creek, site ofa portion of the historic California Trail. Nestled in the eastern side of the Caribou National Forest, the diverse terrain provides excellent habitat for elk, mule deer, lynx, grouse and other wildlife. The waters are also home to native Yellowstone cutthroat and brown trout.