FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2009
Contact: Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or steve@blueheroncomm.com or Dan Honaberger, RMEF volunteer, 570-672-2624 or dandhonaberger@peoplepc.com
Pennsylvanians Launch New Chapter in Elk Conservation
MISSOULA, Mont.—Pennsylvania has broken into a Top 10 list of places to find
monster elk, an historic indicator of successful habitat and management efforts. Keeping
that conservation momentum going, both at home and across the U.S., is the goal of a
newly launched Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter in Bloomsburg/Danville, Pa.
“Elk have roamed the Keystone State since 1913 after a successful restoration effort led
by a young Pennsylvania Game Commission, but this is Pennsylvania’s first-ever Top 10
appearance in Boone and Crockett Club records, and that’s a big deal,” said David Allen,
RMEF president and CEO.
The Boone and Crockett Club has kept trophy records of North American game since
1830. In the 169 years preceding 2000, Pennsylvania produced zero record-class elk.
In 2001, Pennsylvania held its first elk hunt in over seven decades. Between then and
now, the club’s prestigious records book has gained four bulls from the commonwealth,
which ties it with California as America’s 10th most productive trophy elk state in the
new millennium. See full lists of Top 10 Boone and Crockett elk states below.
RMEF has played a key role in the growing success of Pennsylvania’s elk herd, says Carl
Roe, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
“The Game Commission’s efforts to improve habitat within the elk range in Pennsylvania
has been greatly supported by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its numerous
Commonwealth chapters,” Roe said. “We welcome the newest RMEF chapter and look
forward to working with them as partners for elk habitat.”
Additionally, Roe recently announced that Pennsylvania’s special elk tag will be
auctioned at the RMEF Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo in Reno, Nev.,
March 4-7, 2010. Funds raised will support the agency’s conservation programs.
Since 1991, RMEF has partnered with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to complete
more than 175 different projects to enhance and protect over 14,800 acres, open 8,088
acres for public access, fund research and management initiatives, educate some 33,000
students and promote Pennsylvania’s strong hunting and conservation heritage.
Sample highlights:
Land Acquisitions—RMEF funding helped purchase 1,533 acres now included in State
Game Lands #311 in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk country. Another acquisition added
217 acres at the confluence of Hicks Run and the Bennett Branch to lands managed by
the Bureau of Forestry. RMEF helped purchase and reclaim mining sites on the 4,100-
acre New Garden property between the Sproul and Moshannon state forests. A 1,378-acre
property, Kettle Creek, was purchased by RMEF and conveyed to the state for inclusion
in the Sproul State Forest. In two separate acquisitions, RMEF helped secure 536 acres of
key habitat in Cameron County between the Driftwood and Sinnemahoning branches of
Sinnemahoning Creek, now part of the 200,000-acre Elk State Forest.
Elk Herd Expansion and Monitoring—RMEF helped fund a 3-year trap-and-transfer
project to relocate elk, expand elk range and reduce conflicts with other land uses in the
Sproul State Forest. RMEF also helps develop and maintain forage openings for elk.
Economic Impact Study—RMEF funded a 4-year study (1997-2001) in partnership with
Penn State to identify economic impact of elk on tourism in north-central Pennsylvania.
Elk Habitat Research—In 2006, RMEF helped fund research on preferred calving sites,
forage and ranges of elk in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Elk Country Visitor Center—RMEF helped facilitate, launch—and fund
$2.4 million for construction of—the largest elk watching and conservation education
center in the eastern United States, located in north-central Pennsylvania.
Conservation Education—RMEF helped establish wildlife viewing sites, purchase and
equip a mobile exhibit to increase public awareness of elk and elk hunting, award
scholarship funding to the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education, and fund
more than 100 workshops, clinics and programs for Pennsylvania youths and women.
Statewide, RMEF and its partners have spent over $14.4 million on these and other
conservation and education projects in Pennsylvania.
None of these efforts would be possible without fundraising by local RMEF chapters, and
the newly chartered Bloomsburg/Danville chapter is planning its first annual banquet for
Feb. 20, 2010. For more info, call Allen Wetzel at 570-374-2588, or visit www.rmef.org.
Like more than 550 other volunteer-led fundraisers nationwide, the Bloomsburg/Danville
event will help raise awareness as well as funding for future RMEF efforts.
A portion of local proceeds will fund a state grants program for continuing conservation
and education projects in Pennsylvania.
“Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquets are always a good time for a great cause,
which is why the organization has grown to over 150,000 members, impacted over 5.7
million acres of habitat nationwide, and become one of America’s premier forces for
conservation. We’re proud that Columbia and Montour counties are now an official part
of the movement,” said Dan Honaberger, volunteer chairman for the new chapter.
Montana based, RMEF focuses on habitat conservation and was a major partner in
restoring wild elk herds to Kentucky, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Great Smoky Mountains
National Park.
Pennsylvania is the only eastern state or province on the Boone and Crockett Club’s Top
10 lists.
Here are those lists, along with actual entries into Boone and Crockett records (typical
and non-typical combined):
American Elk, 1830-1999
1. Arizona, 135
2. Montana, 128
3. Wyoming, 90
4. Idaho, 69
5. Colorado, 62
6. New Mexico, 52
7. Alberta, 38
8. Utah, 32
9. Nevada, 27
10. Oregon, 21
American Elk, 2000-2009
1. Utah, 120
2. Arizona, 86
3. Montana, 49
4. Nevada, 47
5. Wyoming, 45
6. New Mexico, 38
7. Alberta, 10
8. Idaho, 8
9. Washington, 7
10. (tie) California, 4; Pennsylvania, 4
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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2009
Contact: Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or steve@blueheroncomm.com
RMEF Conveys Share of Visitor Center to Pennsylvania
MISSOULA, Mont.—With construction well underway and a grand opening scheduled
for summer 2010, a planned state-of-the-art conservation education facility is now wholly
owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
following a transfer from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The 7,000 square-foot Elk Country Visitor Center will sit on a 245-acre site in Benezette
Township, Elk County. When completed, it will be the largest elk watching and
conservation education facility in the eastern U.S.
The project began as a public-private partnership between the Commonwealth and
RMEF. The Elk Foundation conveyed its share of the facility to DCNR on Sept. 15.
“The Elk Foundation has been a great partner in open-space protection and restoring the
elk herd in the Pennsylvania Wilds, and we thank them for their help getting the Elk
Center project off the ground. This project would not have been possible without their
early partnership with DCNR,” said John Quigley, acting secretary of DCNR.
RMEF landed major support for the project from the Richard King Mellon Foundation,
Dominion Foundation, Thoresen Foundation, Safari Club International, Eastern Chapter
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and many individual donors.
Additionally, Elk Foundation chapters across the country made special contributionstoward the new facility.
“As it turns out, this project worked much like a land protection project—we facilitate
and fundraise, then transfer the asset to a public agency that is better equipped to manage
in perpetuity. We’ve never applied this model to a conservation education facility before
but we’re pleased with the outcome,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.
Going forward, RMEF will help promote the Elk Country Visitor Center and use it for
special conservation and education events.
As RMEF conveyed its share of the visitor center, DCNR announced a new partnership
with the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF).
Allen said, “We’re confident that this important project is in good hands and that the new
partnership is well positioned to help this landmark facility accomplish its goals.”
Marci Mowery, PPFF president, said, “The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
appreciates the work that the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has done to restore elk
habitat and educate the public about elk. We look forward to working with the DCNR
through the Elk Country Visitor Center to reach out to new visitors, give them a
wonderful outdoor experience and share the story of the conservation efforts that have
restored many of the natural and wild areas in Pennsylvania.”
Allen said Elk Foundation volunteers tackled fundraising for this project with the same
gusto that annually supports traditional RMEF projects. Since 1984, RMEF and its
partners have spent $14.4 million to complete 199 conservation and education projects
that have protected or enhanced more than 14,800 acres of wildlife habitat in
Pennsylvania.
DCNR will erect a bronze elk statue, acquired through the efforts of the Pittsburgh
RMEF chapter, dedicated to the passion of all Elk Foundation volunteers.
The center also will include educational exhibits, trails, story theater, wildlife viewing
blinds, meeting rooms and display areas.
Allen said the Elk Foundation remains focused on its core mission of habitat conservation
for elk and other wildlife.
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 5.6 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.
5705 Grant Creek Road, Missoula, MT, 59808
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Christina Novak
DCNR Press Secretary
(717) 772-9101
DCNR ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNER TO HELP COMPLETE
ELK COUNTRY VISITOR CENTER IN PA WILDS REGION
HARRISBURG (September 15, 2009) A new agreement is being forged for the completion of the Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette Township, Elk County, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary John Quigley said today.
The project was launched as a partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the 7,000-square foot Elk Country Visitor Center to include interpretive exhibits, wildlife trails and viewing blinds, year-round restrooms and parking for cars and buses, Quigley said. RMEF has now conveyed its share of the largest elk watching and conservation education facility in the eastern United States to DCNR.
The foundation has been a great partner in open space protection and restoring the elk herd in the Pennsylvania Wilds region, and we thank them for their help getting the Elk Center project started. This project would not have been possible without their early partnership with DCNR, Quigley added.
DCNR reached out to a long-standing partner and well-respected conservation organization, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, to assist the department in completing the project.
The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation appreciates the work that the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has done to restore elk habitat and educate the public about elk, said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. We look forward to working with the DCNR through the Elk Country Visitor Center to reach out to new visitors, give them a wonderful outdoor experience and share the story of the conservation efforts that have restored many of the natural and wild areas in Pennsylvania.
Now under construction, the Elk Country Visitor Center is expected to be completed by June 2010. The commonwealth is providing $5 million for construction of the center.
The Richard King Mellon, Dominion, and Thoreson foundations; Safari Club International; Eastern Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep; and many individual donors made contributions to RMEF for the center.
Additionally, Elk Foundation chapters across the country made special contributions to support the new facility.
This project worked much like our standard lands protection projectwe facilitate and fundraise, then transfer the asset to a public agency better equipped to manage in perpetuity, said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. Weve never applied this model to a conservation education facility before but were pleased with the outcome.
Allen said the Elk Foundation remains focused on its core mission of habitat conservation for elk and other wildlife with no plans for additional conservation education facilities.
Going forward, RMEF will help promote the Elk Country Visitor Center and use it for special conservation and education events. DCNR will erect a donated bronze elk statue dedicated to the passion of Elk Foundation volunteers.
RMEF has agreed to transfer ownership of the 245-acre property to DCNR. RMEF also will transfer donations received to support the center to PPFF, which will enter in to a contract to complete the fabrication and installation of exhibits and displays in time for an opening in the summer of 2010.
DCNR will support PPFFs efforts to continue to raise funds for the operation of the center while it explores a more permanent solution to the long term operation of the facility.
We are pleased that we have forged a new partnership to ensure that the center is ready to open and greet visitors by summer of next year, Quigley said.
For more information about the Pennsylvania Wilds, visit the DCNR Web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
Elk Foundation Grants to Benefit 13 Pennsylvania Counties
MISSOULA, Mont.--Thirteen counties in Pennsylvania are slated for conservation education and wildlife habitat projects using $146,996 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Armstrong, Blair, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Jefferson, Lehigh, Lycoming, Mercer, Potter, Sullivan and Washington counties.
Three additional projects have statewide interest.
"Our volunteers across Pennsylvania helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and it's part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors," said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.
Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following Pennsylvania projects, listed by county:
Armstrong County --Sponsor Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation; sponsor Keystone Junior Sportsmen's Club project to develop forage plots to enhance wildlife habitat.
Blair County --Sponsor Blair County 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Clarion County --Sponsor Clarion County 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Elk County --Assist with funding for Pennsylvania Elk Country Visitor Center (under construction), a $12.4 million partnership project between the commonwealth and RMEF; plant forage plots to enhance wildlife habitat at the above site; assist with St. Marys Area Middle School 2009 Helping Hands for Habitat with habitat stewardship projects for elk.
Erie County --Sponsor Erie County Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Fayette County --Sponsor Fayette Gun Club 2009 Shooting and Conservation Program to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.
Jefferson County --Sponsor Camp Friendship Fishing Derby to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Lehigh County --Sponsor Camp Compass Academy 2009 Shooting Program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Lycoming County --Sponsor Muncy Creek Sportsmen 2009 Youth Outdoor Education project to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Sullivan County ).
Mercer County --Sponsor Mercer County 2009 Youth Conservation Camp to introduce youths to conservation and related outdoor issues.
Potter County --Sponsor Keith Kelligan Kids Fishing Derby to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.
Statewide --Sponsor Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education Teacher Workshops to educate teachers about wildlife, habitat and conservation; sponsor Pennsylvania 2009 Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus to education lawmakers about conservation issues; sponsor Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the Harvest which provides hunter-harvested venison to underprivileged families.
Sullivan County --Sponsor East Lycoming and Sullivan County School Districts 2009 Outdoor Education to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation (also affects Lycoming County ); sponsor.
North Mountain Sportsmen's Association 2009 Youth Field Day; sponsor Sullivan County High School 2009 Shooting Sports.
Washington County --Sponsor Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors to provide hunting and fishing opportunities for disabled veterans; sponsor Allenport Rod and Gun Club Children's Annual Fishing Contest; sponsor Roscoe Sportsmen's Association Junior Trap League and Roscoe Sportsmen's Association 2009 Youth Field Day; sponsor California Hill Gun Club 2009 Scholastic Clay Target Program.
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 175 education and conservation projects in Pennsylvania with a value of more than $14.4 million.
Partners for 2009 projects in Pennsylvania include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Thoresen Foundation, Safari Club International, Eastern Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and many individual donors, local sportsmen associations, landowners and conservation 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 5.6 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.
Contact: Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or steve@blueheroncomm.com
