The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. “Other wildlife” includes mammals, birds, reptiles and even fish. RMEF often provides funding and volunteer manpower while working alongside partners in carrying out habitat stewardship projects.
One such ongoing project is in West Virginia where volunteers carry limestone sand to the upper reaches of the Middle Fork of the Williams River. Once void of brook trout, the waters are now bustling with reinvigorated fish.
“Last year we had 41 employees and their families,” Jeff Nelson, organizer and local Trout Unlimited representative, told the Charleston Gazette-Mail. “Nine Walmart stores were represented. For every 10 employees that show up, Walmart donates $1,000 toward the liming operation. Over the last 13 years, donations from Walmart, American Electric Power, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the West Virginia Trophy Hunters Association have allowed our chapter to contribute just shy of $100,000 for liming on the Middle Fork, Barrenshe Run and the Left Fork of Tea Creek.”
(Photo source: Steve Brown)