MISSOULA, Mont.-Wildlife conservation and public education projects in 17 Wisconsin counties have been selected to receive grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in 2010.
The new RMEF funding, totaling $48,620, will affect Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Dane, Door, Grant, Green Lake, Iowa, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Marathon, Polk, Price, Sawyer and Washburn counties.
Two additional projects have statewide interest.
“These grants are possible because of the successful banquets and fundraisers staged over the past year by our Wisconsin volunteers-most of whom are elk hunters as well as devoted conservationists,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Since 1984, our annual grants have helped complete 176 different projects in Wisconsin with a combined value of more than $5.6 million.”
RMEF grants will help fund the following projects, listed by county:
Ashland County-Provide funding for radio telemetry equipment operated by students from Glidden High School to research elk habitat use and movement patterns in the Clam Lake area (also affects Price County); renovate and maintain Clam Lake’s “Elk Capital of Wisconsin” sign.
Barron County-Sponsor Coyland Creek 2010 Youth in the Outdoors Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation (also affects Polk and Burnett counties).
Dane County-Sponsor Lake Marion 2010 Family Fishing Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Door County-Sponsor RMEF Door County Chapter 2010 Youth Sporting Event to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation (also affects Kewaunee and Brown counties).
Grant County-Sponsor Southwestern Wisconsin Community School’s National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Green Lake County-Sponsor Berlin Conservation Club 2010 Youth Outdoor Skills Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Iowa County-Sponsor West Park 2010 Youth Fishing Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
La Crosse County-Sponsor free subscriptions to RMEF’s “Bugle” magazine for schools in the La Crosse/Three Rivers area.
Marathon County-Sponsor Marathon County 2010 Sporting Heritage Youth Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation; sponsor Weston 2010-2011 hunter safety instruction materials.
Polk County-Sponsor Amery School District’s National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Price County-Sponsor Phillips Area 2010 Youth Field Day to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation.
Sawyer County-Provide funding for highway warning systems, including a warning light triggered by the radio collars on many elk in the area, to reduce vehicle collisions with elk (also affects Ashland, Bayfield and Price counties); maintain forage openings for elk by mowing 55 acres, hand-cutting woody vegetation on 30 acres and prescribe burning 5 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (also affects Ashland County); sponsor Hayward High School David Brinkman 2010 Memorial Scholarship; sponsor Hayward 2010 Outdoor Youth Day; sponsor Outdoor Adventures camp to introduce young people to conservation and outdoor recreation (also affects Washburn County); provide funding for research on genetic variability and health of elk in Clam Lake area (also affects Ashland, Bayfield and Price counties).
Statewide-Sponsor Wisconsin 2010 Outdoor Education Expo; provide funding to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for printing the state hunting regulations booklets.
Projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities.
Partners for 2010 projects in Wisconsin include, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, U.S. Forest Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, other agencies, communities, corporations, landowners and schools.
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 5.7 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.
