MISSOULA, Mont.—Conservation and education in Michigan are seven steps ahead of last year thanks to grants totaling $39,226 from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Seven projects received funding in Allegan, Cheboygan, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Montmorency, Osceola, Otsego, Ottawa and Presque Isles counties.
“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in Michigan,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets and other events in Michigan, as well as worthy project proposals.”
The Elk Foundation grants helped fund the following 2008 projects in Michigan, listed by county:
Allegan County—Refurbish a boardwalk, trail and interpretive signs at Outdoor Discovery Center Wetland Forest Trail.
Ingham County—Provide funding for Michigan National Archery in the Schools Program to teach basic archery to students (also affects Eaton and Clinton counties).
Montmorency County—Renovate an educational elk display for City of Atlanta.
Osceola County—Sponsor Children’s Charters hunting and fishing trips for disadvantaged youth, senior and physically challenged citizens.
Otsego County—Fertilize forage openings and remove encroaching trees to improve elk forage in Pigeon River Country State Forest; provide support for habitat enhancement projects and development of forest management plans covering over 700 acres as part of the Pigeon River Habitat Initiative (also affects Cheboygan, Montmorency and Presque Isles counties).
Ottawa County—Sponsorship of youth hunter safety clinics.
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed 75 conservation and education projects in Michigan with a value of more than $2 million. Partners for 2008 projects in Michigan included Huron Pines, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Outdoor Discovery Center, other agencies, corporations, landowners and organizations.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.4 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
