Wyoming is No. 1 Fundraising State for RMEF
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 02.14.12
The state ranked last in total population, Wyoming, has emerged as the No. 1 fundraising state for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Over the past six years, Wyoming had consistently finished second to America’s most populous state, California, but the Cowboy State came out on top in 2011.
“Wyomingites are deeply proud of their wild country, their elk herds and their hunting heritage—and they’re clearly willing to invest to keep them all in top shape,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO of RMEF, an international conservation outfit based in Missoula, Mont.
RMEF’s mission is ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. Since launching in 1984, the organization has helped to conserve more than 6 million acres across the continent. In 2012, Wyoming could become the first state to reach 1 million acres of RMEF-funded habitat stewardship and protection projects.
To fuel these efforts, RMEF volunteers host fundraising banquets in cities and towns nationwide, with each event billed as “a good time for a great cause.”
In 2011, Wyoming chapters of RMEF raised $1,388,569, edging second-place California by $10,752.
RMEF volunteers were honored during a rowdy celebration at the RMEF convention and expo, called Elk Camp, which concluded Feb. 4 in Las Vegas.
Allen congratulated the RMEF leadership team in Wyoming including volunteer state chairs Donae Bezanson and Tom Kaness, volunteer regional chair Mike Cuin, and staff regional directors Jill Tonn and Ryan Kaiser.
He added, “We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough to the volunteers and RMEF members and partners in Wyoming, California and around the country. We have fun with competition between the states, but the fact is, conservation today depends our cumulative effort.”
