Stellar 2012 leads to Higher Hopes for RMEF in 2013
MISSOULA, Mont.—Fresh off a fourth consecutive year of record membership, growing total acres conserved to more than 6.2 million and placing an increased emphasis on hunting heritage, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation now ambitiously eyes 2013.
“We are grateful for what was a successful 2012 on many different fronts,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Our volunteers and members continue to amaze with their passion and hard work in furthering our mission, but we have even bigger plans to do more for conservation in 2013.”
2012 highlights:
- Reached a lifetime mark of habitat enhanced or protected of 6,287,980 acres.
- Continued priority focus and funding of public access projects. To date, RMEF has opened nearly 650,000 previously inaccessible acres for the public to hunt, fish or otherwise enjoy.
- Completed 544 projects in 2012, bringing the total lifetime number of projects to 8,096.
- Restored a wild elk herd in Virginia.
- Fueled continuing elk restoration projects in Missouri, Wisconsin and Maryland.
- Recorded fourth straight year of record membership, now at 196,079.
- Provided 312 grants in 43 states for hunting heritage and conservation outreach, reaching more than 393,000 children and adults.
- Enhanced mission statement to “ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage”.
- Maintained strong fiscal performance with budget positive organizational performance.
- Maintained the highest rating, 4 Stars, from Charity navigator, America’s top charity ratings service.
With dozens of on-the-ground conservation projects already in the works in many states, hundreds of local banquets and fundraisers scheduled in the coming months, and RMEF’s upcoming annual national convention later this month, excitement and expectations are sky-high for 2013.
“We will unveil news at Elk Camp that will propel RMEF into a realm not previously known,” added Allen. “This game-changing announcement will allow RMEF to do more conservation work, focus more effort on passing on our hunting heritage to our children and grandchildren, and free up more land for public access than ever before.”