Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is a conservationist
organization, founded in the United States
in 1984 by four hunters from Troy, Montana
(Bob Munson, Bill Munson, Dan Bull and Charlie Decker) with the mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, and their habitat. In support of this mission the RMEF is committed to: (1) Conserving, restoring, and enhancing natural habitats; (2) Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; (3) Fostering cooperation among federal, state, tribal, and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation
; and (4) Educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics, and wildlife management.
Since 1984, the RMEF has protected and enhanced over 6.1 million acres (19,000 km²) of habitat and ensured public access to more than 480,000 acres (1,900 km²). RMEF is especially keen to restore long-absent elk populations, with herds being reestablished in Kentucky
, North Carolina
, Ontario
, Tennessee
, and Wisconsin
.
and a $4 million endowment to the Elk Foundation. The Double H Ranch, stretching between two mountain ranges—the Datils and the Gallinas—and two portions of the Cibola National Forest
, harbors thickly timbered ridges, deep coulees and steep hillsides that shift color with the rising and setting of the sun. At the property’s center is an expansive plain, 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) lake and rich wetland. This island in a sea of arid country nurtures elk
, deer
, pronghorns and quail
, which in turn strengthen predators like mountain lions and coyotes.
This combination of size, proximity to civilization and quality of habitat makes the ranch not only rare, but also a significant conservation opportunity. Today, the property is an outdoor laboratory for ecological, wildlife and natural resource study. The RMEF leads an assemblage of conservation organizations, hunting groups, and state and federal agencies committed to healthy landscapes. Land managers work alongside educators, biologists, government employees and volunteers to test new land-management practices. And the cream of the nation's Boy Scouts
get to take week-long off-trail High Adventure Camps on the ranch and engage in hands-on stewardship.
Conservationist
Conservationists are proponents or advocates of conservation. They advocate for the protection of all the species in an ecosystem with a strong focus on the natural environment...
organization, founded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1984 by four hunters from Troy, Montana
Troy, Montana
Troy is a city in Lincoln County, Montana, United States. The population was 957 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Troy is located at ....
(Bob Munson, Bill Munson, Dan Bull and Charlie Decker) with the mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, and their habitat. In support of this mission the RMEF is committed to: (1) Conserving, restoring, and enhancing natural habitats; (2) Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; (3) Fostering cooperation among federal, state, tribal, and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation
Habitat conservation
Habitat conservation is a land management practice that seeks to conserve, protect and restore, habitat areas for wild plants and animals, especially conservation reliant species, and prevent their extinction, fragmentation or reduction in range...
; and (4) Educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics, and wildlife management.
Since 1984, the RMEF has protected and enhanced over 6.1 million acres (19,000 km²) of habitat and ensured public access to more than 480,000 acres (1,900 km²). RMEF is especially keen to restore long-absent elk populations, with herds being reestablished in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
Torstenson Family Wildlife Center
In 2002, Bob Torstenson gifted all 95,000 acres (380 km²) of the Double H Ranch outside of Albuquerque, New MexicoNew Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and a $4 million endowment to the Elk Foundation. The Double H Ranch, stretching between two mountain ranges—the Datils and the Gallinas—and two portions of the Cibola National Forest
Cibola National Forest
The Cibola National Forest is a United States National Forest in western and central New Mexico, USA. The forest also manages four National Grasslands that stretch from northeastern New Mexico eastward into the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma. It is administered by the United States Forest...
, harbors thickly timbered ridges, deep coulees and steep hillsides that shift color with the rising and setting of the sun. At the property’s center is an expansive plain, 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) lake and rich wetland. This island in a sea of arid country nurtures elk
Elk
The Elk is the large deer, also called Cervus canadensis or wapiti, of North America and eastern Asia.Elk may also refer to:Other antlered mammals:...
, deer
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Species in the Cervidae family include white-tailed deer, elk, moose, red deer, reindeer, fallow deer, roe deer and chital. Male deer of all species and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year...
, pronghorns and quail
Quail
Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
, which in turn strengthen predators like mountain lions and coyotes.
This combination of size, proximity to civilization and quality of habitat makes the ranch not only rare, but also a significant conservation opportunity. Today, the property is an outdoor laboratory for ecological, wildlife and natural resource study. The RMEF leads an assemblage of conservation organizations, hunting groups, and state and federal agencies committed to healthy landscapes. Land managers work alongside educators, biologists, government employees and volunteers to test new land-management practices. And the cream of the nation's Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
get to take week-long off-trail High Adventure Camps on the ranch and engage in hands-on stewardship.