August 2, 2011
RMEF Announces Grants for Pennsylvania
MISSOULA, Mont.—Improving elk habitat and introducing thousands of students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation are the main themes in a list of 2011 grants for Pennsylvania from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
All together, the new RMEF grants total $68,694 and affect Armstrong, Bedford, Blair, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Dauphin, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Lehigh, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Montgomery, Potter, Sullivan, Washington and Westmoreland counties, plus Philadelphia.
Three additional projects have statewide interest.
“This year, our grants will cover the costs of seed, fertilizer, herbicide—as well as lime and a paper-mill byproduct used to improve soil conditions—to enhance forage for elk and other wildlife,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We’re pleased to support the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources in this important work.”
Allen said about 2,100 acres of habitat will be enhanced via 2011 grants in Pennsylvania.
Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million-acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.
Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s conservation impact in Pennsylvania and across elk country, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, we’re doing some great things locally and a national conservation milestone is within reach.”
RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects:
Armstrong County—Provide sponsorship for Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League 2011 Youth Field Day to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Bedford County—Provide sponsorship for Everett Sportsmen Junior Rifle Club 2011 to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Blair County—Provide sponsorship for Keystone Sportsmen for Youth 2011 Field Day to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Cameron County—Maintain and refurbish state game lands to improve 2,050 acres of habitat for elk, deer, turkey, grouse and other wildlife. Projects include lime, fertilizer and herbicide applications, seeding and mowing (also affects Centre, Clearfield, Clinton and Elk counties).
Clarion County—Provide sponsorship for Clarion County 2011 Youth Field Day to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Dauphin County—Provide sponsorship for Capital Area Sportsmen for Youth 2011 Field Day to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Elk County—Refurbish 50 acres of forage openings to improve grazing conditions for elk and other wildlife on State Game Lands #311. Project involves application of a byproduct (biosolids) from Domtar-Johnsonburg Paper Mill to improve soil pH (also affects McKean County); provide sponsorship for Elk County 2011 Youth Field Day to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Erie County—Provide sponsorship for Edinboro University Highlander Archery 2011 to engage students in traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Fayette County—Provide sponsorship for Fayette Gun Club 2011 Youth Shooting Day to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Lehigh County—Sponsor Camp Compass Academy 2011 to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Mercer County—Provide sponsorship for Mercer County 2011 Youth Conservation Camp to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Montgomery County—Provide sponsorship for Lower Pottsgrove Sportsmen’s Association 2011 Youth Program to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Philadelphia—Provide sponsorship for Pennsylvania Master Naturalist 2011 Program, a pilot program to train participants for leadership in community conservation, restoration and education projects.
Potter County—Provide sponsorship for Coudersport Reservoir 2011 Youth Fishing Derby to engage students in traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Statewide—Provide sponsorship for Wildlife Leadership Academy 2011 to train students for community service in conservation; sponsor Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education 2011 Teacher Workshop; sponsor Pennsylvania 2011 National Archery in the Schools Program.
Sullivan County—Provide sponsorship for East Lycoming and Sullivan County School Districts 2011 Sixth Grade Outdoor Education to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Lycoming County); sponsor Sullivan County High School 2011 Shooting Sports.
Washington County—Provide sponsorship for Allenport Rod and Gun Club Children’s 2011 Fishing Contest to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor California Hill Gun Club 2011 Scholastic Clay Target Program (also affects Fayette County); sponsor Pennsylvania Scholastic Clay Target Program 2011 Zone Shoots (also affects Fayette County); sponsor Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association 2011 Junior Trap League; sponsor Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association 2011 Youth Day.
Westmoreland County—Provide sponsorship for Kingston Veterans Sportsman Club 2011 Youth Field Day and Pheasant Hunt to introduce students to traditional outdoor recreation and conservation.
Conservation 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. RMEF staff and volunteers select education projects to receive grants.
Partners for 2011 projects in Pennsylvania include Pennsylvania Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Game Commission, numerous sportsmen and gun clubs, schools, businesses and many organizations.
Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 242 different conservation and education projects in Pennsylvania with a combined value of more than $20.5 million.