MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, an international conservation organization with a focus on habitat protection and enhancement, has announced its 2008 project grants for Minnesota. Grants will affect Beltrami, Kittson and Marshall counties.
“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in Minnesota,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets in Minnesota, as well as worthy project proposals.”
For 2008, four grants totaling $21,586 will help fund the following Minnesota conservation projects, listed by county:
Kittson County—Establish two new forage openings, reseed two existing openings and enlarge an existing legume plot affecting 90 acres at Skull Lake, Beaches Lake and Caribou wildlife management areas to enhance elk habitat and alleviate depredation issues; treat brush and aspen encroachment on 380 acres at Caribou, Beaches Lake and East Park wildlife management areas.
Marshall County—Plant 79 acres of forage openings at Grygla and Wapiti wildlife management areas to enhance elk habitat and alleviate depredation issues (also affects Beltrami County); shear and mow 250 acres of brush at Grygla, Wapiti and Moose River wildlife management areas to return area to early stages of vegetative succession, provide a mosaic of habitat types, and prepare for prescribed fire treatment in the future (also affects Beltrami County).
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 70 conservation projects in Minnesota with a value of nearly $1.4 million. Partners for 2008 projects in Minnesota include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and MDHA North Red River Chapter.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced over 5.2 million acres, a land area larger than Connecticut, Delaware and District of Columbia combined. More than 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. The Elk Foundation has more than 150,000 members, a staff of 150 and 10,000 active volunteers. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.
