June 25, 2019
Nebraska Environmental Trust Funding Boosts Conservation Project in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge
MISSOULA, Mont.—Prime habitat that benefits elk and other wildlife in northwest Nebraska will be permanently protected thanks to key funding provided by the Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET).
“We truly appreciate the support of the Nebraska Environmental Trust in making this transaction happen,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “Partnerships are vital in making land and wildlife conservation possible.”
NET provided $480,000 in funding toward the Charcoal Creek Acquisition project. The 1,520-acre property is adjacent to the Peterson Wildlife Management Area and south of Fort Robinson State Park in the Pine Ridge Region.
Once the property is under Nebraska Game and Parks Commission management, it will be open to public access and increase the immediately adjacent complex of protected private and public lands to nearly 37,000 contiguous acres that greatly benefits wildlife movement.
“This is a unique landscape that provides crucial habitat for Nebraska’s elk population as well as bighorn sheep, mule deer, swift fox and other species,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer who is also a Nebraska native. “It also contains important riparian habitat thanks to almost 10 miles of intermittent streams including a stretch of Charcoal Creek.”
The project improves habitat connectivity, wildlife management and recreational access.
The Nebraska legislature created the Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the Nebraska Lottery, the NET since provided more than $305 million in grants to more than 2,200 projects across the state.