Programs: Permanent land protection and access: represents land acquisitions, conservation easements, land exchanges, hunter and public access related projects, and real estate donations. Rmef identifies and prioritizes the most crucial elk range and habitat through gis mapping, a 100 point ranking system, partnerships, and field based professional knowledge. The highest priority interests in lands for habitat or access are protected through acquisition and then usually conveyed to a government management agency to increase public access. Conservation easements allow landowners to protect their land in perpetuity. Land and real estate donations allow rmef to protect habitat or raise funds for mission accomplishment. Rmef also participates in land exchanges with government agencies and private landowners. At the close of 2014, rmef had permanently protected 1,118,973 cumulative acres of elk habitat.
membership services: represents the costs of providing benefits to all rocky mountain elk foundation members, including certain costs related to bugle magazine. Rmef offers several levels of membership, with different benefits at each level. Rmef provides a variety of gifts to some of its members in appreciation of their support. Items vary with levels of membership, including an annual subscription to bugle magazine, decals, lapel pins, hats, personalized plaques and jackets. Members also receive educational membership materials and habitat protection and conservation brochures. Members are also invited to attend any number of rmef local or national events. At the close of 2014, rmef had 205,249 members.
conservation projects: represents projects to improve the essential forage, water, cover and acreage components of wildlife habitat. Types of projects include restoring aspen communities, fighting the spread of noxious weeds, boosting land productivity with prescribed burning, and thinning of forests. Rmef funds water development projects as well as fencing projects to provide better distribution of wildlife and livestock. Rmef also funds a variety of scientific research studies to better manage elk or their habitat. Research topics include elk calf mortality, nutrition, predation, livestock interaction, disease, migrations and genetics. At the close of 2014, rmef had enhanced 5,491,297 cumulative acres of elk habitat.
