SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has signed a key wildlife conservation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The signing took place on March 26 at the recent North American Wildlife Conference held in Phoenix, Ariz.
The MOU establishes a formal framework of cooperation and coordination for MDF’s relationship with these two federal land-management agencies. More specifically, the MOU calls for joint planning and implementation of projects, programs, and activities that maintain and enhance the productivity of mule deer and black-tailed deer populations and their habitats.
The Forest Service manages 193 million acres across the United States that provide significant amounts of habitat for mule deer and black-tailed deer. The BLM manages 258 million acres of public lands that include 206 million acres of big game habitat.
Mule Deer Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Miles Moretti said, “This MOU will help us put more habitat projects on the ground at the local BLM and Forest Service district level.” Moretti added, “MDF’s partnership with these agencies shows the willingness of all parties to make mule deer and black-tailed deer enhancement and conservation a high priority.”
MDF chapters, in partnership with local BLM and Forest Service biologists, will work together to develop projects, request funding, and, in some cases, implement projects in their local area. The assistance of MDF volunteers can help to keep project costs down and allow more acres of deer habitat to be improved.
MDF is proud to be partners with the Forest Service and the BLM in ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitats.
About MDF (www.muledeer.org)
The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with over 10,000 members. MDF’s mission is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats. MDF is dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and hunt-able deer populations; encouraging and supporting responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners; promoting public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management; supporting and encouraging responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer; and acknowledging regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.
For information about the Mule Deer Foundation please call 888-375-DEER (3337).
