Conservation For Generations; RMEF’s River Bluffs Chapter Banquet March 4th
This Saturday you have a chance to not only join a great conservation organization, but enjoy a killer prime rib dinner from Poor Man’s Catering. Get to the Dubuque County Fairgrounds & Event Center, Saturday March 4th, for the River Bluffs Chapter Banquet of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
What is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, you ask? Well, since 1984, RMEF and its partners across the US have conserved and enhanced more than 8.6 million acres of North America’s finest elk country. Simply put, RMEF maintains that hunting IS conservation and puts their money where their mouth is. Hunters, and hunting in general, generate vital funding for nationwide land and wildlife conservation work.
Things like permanent land protection is a key area of focus for RMEF and its partners. This includes quality elk ranges, migration corridors, and calving areas; all while seeking to open or improve quality public access opportunities. Conservation tools that RMEF uses includes land acquisitions and exchanges, voluntary conservation agreements, and contributions or donations. And all these can be done at a local level.
Habitat Stewardship maintains quality habitat which includes food, water, cover, and space. These are essential to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife. RMEF and its partners, like the River Bluffs Chapter, provide financial support to carry out prescribed burning, forest thinning, noxious weed treatments, the establishment of wildlife water developments, and other projects to enhance elk habitat. Additionally, RMEF provides grants for wildlife management and research.
Elk Restoration is also a huge part of this non-profit does. RMEF, state wildlife agencies and partners have helped restore elk populations in West Virginia (2016), Virginia (2012), Missouri (2011), North Carolina (2001), Tennessee (2000), Ontario, Canada (1998), Kentucky (1997), and Wisconsin (1995). Through RMEF’s Eastern Elk Initiative, past elk restoration efforts have helped ensure a future where the residents and visitors to those states have an opportunity to view and eventually hunt elk. Following the success of the restoration program, RMEF is helping ensure healthy elk herds continue to thrive through land protection, access, and habitat enhancement projects. This includes providing open access by securing quality public hunting and wildlife habitats. Since 1984, RMEF has opened, secured or improved public access to more than 1.5 million acres of elk habitat across the country for hunters, hikers, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Their goal is to always ensure the future of our hunting heritage. Hunters were the first conservationists and remain the mightiest force in the realm of conservation. RMEF provides grants for hunting heritage and conservation education programs to help people learn more about our hunting heritage and help them engage in hunting and other outdoor pursuits.
Get involved locally with your Dubuque area River Bluffs Chapter during their Banquet this Saturday, March 4th at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds starting at 4:30pm. For Tickets contact Mike Fagan at 563-543-8711. You can also find more information on the programs that Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is involved in and grab tickets online at RMEF.org