The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation rolls into the new year with a robust and highlight-filled 2022 conservation resume. In addition to teaming up with partners to award more than $29 million dollars for habitat enhancement, including wildfire restoration, and wildlife management projects, RMEF conserved and improved access to near-record, single-year acreage totals of elk habitat.
“RMEF has a firm financial foundation of strength and stability which allows us to put more dollars on the ground. And that’s good news for the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage,” said Fred Lekse, RMEF Board of Directors chair.
“We can’t say enough about the great support we receive from our members and volunteers, our state and federal agency partners, our outdoor industry partners and sportsmen and women from across the country,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We had some major conservation wins in 2022 and plan on keeping that momentum going throughout 2023 and beyond.”
2022 conservation highlights
Surpassed 8.6 million acres in lifetime mission accomplishment
Completed 20 land conservation & access projects in 10 states that protected 91,271 acres – the third-highest, single-year total on record
Opened or improved public access to 116,747 acres of public land in seven states – the second-highest, single-year total on record
Awarded funding for 186 habitat stewardship and wildlife management projects that enhanced 176,087 acres of elk habitat
Numbered 225,642 members & 11,000+ volunteers as of December 31, 2022
Completed 226 hunting heritage projects
Helped launch OutdoorClass, an innovative video-based subscription service for hunters of all skill levels