Roosevelt Elk Conservation Initiative (RECI) efforts in western OR and WA and northern CA have focused on developing and/or retaining active forest management conditions for Roosevelt elk and many wildlife species needing similar habitats. Through active forest management, like the creation of openings and thinning, forage availability issues can be improved to benefit these wildlife species. RECI also will address control of invasive weeds on forest ownerships where weeds encroach on the site resulting in losses of openings and useful ground-level forage. In addition, we will encourage landowners in rapidly urbanizing areas to keep their lands open for wildlife without succumbing to developmental pressures.

RMEF Staff and Volunteers have developed an RECI brochure to be used with potential major donors. Initially, we are seeking $290,000 to fund this effort for the first 2 years and RMEF Staff have submitted several grant proposals seeking such funding. Volunteers in OR and WA have explored the idea of offering a Photo Safari trip or several of them at eastern and southeastern RMEF events (banquets or HP receptions) to gain publicity and support for the RECI. The significance of this is that these eastern states could dedicate their future RMEF Mission allocations to the RECI. This idea has been endorsed by the leadership teams in OR and WA and the options are being further explored and developed for implementation in 2008 and 2009.

If you would like to support this effort financially or know of someone who would be interested, please contact Wayne R. Marion, the RMEF Interim Initiative Director of the RECI at 800-363-5581 or waynemarion@comcast.net. Thank you for your help.

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Upcoming Events

• 1/24/2009: InterLakes BGB in Madison, SD
• 1/24/2009: Mission Valley BGB in Polson, MT
• 1/24/2009: Lakeview BGB in Lakeview, OR

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

• Prairie City Aspen Enhancement Project in Prairie City Ranger District, Malheur NF, Prairie City, OR, OR
• Crooked River National Grassland Westside Stewardship Project in Crooked River National Grassland, Madras, OR
• Winom-Frazier / Mt. Emily Road Rehabilitation in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, LaGrande RD, OR

Recent Projects

• Prairie City Aspen Enhancement Project in Prairie City Ranger District, Malheur NF, Prairie City, OR, OR
• Crooked River National Grassland Westside Stewardship Project in Crooked River National Grassland, Madras, OR
• Winom-Frazier / Mt. Emily Road Rehabilitation in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, LaGrande RD, OR