Missoula, Mont. – Elk need food and water. Improving habitat to provide both is the main theme in a list of New Mexico conservation projects slated to receive 2012 grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The RMEF funding commitment totals $77,500 and affects seven counties: Catron, Lincoln, Mora, Otero, Sandoval, Socorro and Rio Arriba.
David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, said, “Prescribe burning to re-start plant succession and promote tender new growth, removing encroaching piñon and juniper to make room for new grasses and shrubs, and improving several guzzlers will give elk in New Mexico a projected 6,778 acres of new places to eat and drink.”
RMEF’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. Since 1985, the organization and its partners have completed 270 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in New Mexico with a combined value of more than $21.2 million.
Funding for RMEF grants is based on local membership drives and banquet fundraising by RMEF chapters and volunteers in New Mexico. Allen thanked RMEF supporters for their dedication to conservation both in New Mexico and all across elk country.
RMEF grants will help fund the following 2012 projects in New Mexico, listed by county:
Catron County – Prescribe burn 3,000 acres to improve timber stands, remove fuel accumulations and enhance forage for elk in the Eckleberger/Sheep Basin area of the Gila National Forest.
Lincoln County – Install two additional guzzlers and repair lines and valves to improve habitat and reduce elk crossing Highway 70 to access private livestock tanks in the Rusty Barrel area of the Lincoln National Forest; remove ponderosa pine and piñon/juniper then prescribe burn to improve 467 acres of habitat in the Slaughter Mesa area of the Gila National Forest.
Mora County – Restore riparian and wet meadow areas to improve habitat for a regional herds of elk and deer and other wildlife near Wagon Mound,.
Otero County – Replace an existing guzzler in the Dry Burnt area, and relocate the old guzzler to a new area, to improve two water sources for elk and other wildlife in the Lincoln National Forest.
Sandoval County – Replace 15 miles of old barbed and woven-wire fencing with wildlife-friendly fencing to reduce mortality on elk, especially calves, in the Valles Caldera National Preserve (also affects Rio Arriba County).
Socorro County – Mechanically thin encroaching piñon/juniper to promote growth of forage shrubs and grasses for elk in the North San Mateo area of BLM lands; repair and improve existing guzzler to provide a more reliable water source for wildlife in the Kellog Canyon area of BLM lands.
RMEF volunteers recently thinned beetle-killed trees and removed 18 miles of old barbed wire fencing to improve a major elk migration corridor crossing the Medio Ranch in Rio Arriba County, and assisted with improving a 3,500-gallon guzzler on BLM lands in Socorro County.
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.
Partners for 2012 projects in New Mexico include the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service and other agencies, organizations, corporations and landowners.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is a leading a conservation initiative that has protected or enhanced habitat on more than six million acres—an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
$1,500 in grants available
The Community Foundation of Lincoln County (CFLC) is pleased to announce they are accepting applications for a total of $1,500 in grants to be awarded to one or more applicants in November. The CFLC supports community efforts that aid the citizens of Lincoln County in reaching their potential in our communities. It is the vision of the CFLC to recognize its donors through the award of grants that have the potential to enrich and make a significant impact upon the general quality of life in Lincoln County communities.
Typical projects that will be considered for grants fall within the following categories:
• Education: Includes assistance to libraries, funds for preschool and elementary school supplemental programs, or support of literacy programs.
• Welfare: Includes programs for disadvantaged and troubled youth, local fire-protection services, parks and civic improvements, food banks, or human rights organizations.
• Health: Includes hospices, preventative health programs, EMS, or ambulance services.
• Humanities: Includes local arts groups or historical projects.
• Conservation: Includes wildlife projects, ecosystem protection, or water projects.
Applicants must be either 501(c) tax-exempt organization (IRS designation) or exempt governmental organizations.
Grant applications may be found on the CFLC web site (www.cfolc.org) under “Grants.” Application packages must be postmarked on or before Oct. 16. Only one application per organization will be accepted and considered.
Awards to one or more recipients will be announced in November of this year. For further information, email cflcnm@gmail.com, or write CFLC, PO Box 573, Carrizozo, NM. Contact any director by phone with contact information found on the CFLC web site: www.cfolc.org or contact Riker Davis 575-258-5200 cflcnm@gmail.com.
NM Tourism website makes business-friendly changes
SANTA FE – To help create a sense of statewide marketing unity, the New Mexico Tourism Department has created a website benefiting tourism industry partners (www.nmindustrypartners.org); and has completely re-designed the travel site (www.newmexico.org) to feature New Mexico’s True Adventures – everything visitors need to find their way around New Mexico.
The re-designed travel site www.newmexico.org allows our tourism industry partners to:
• Upload and manage free business listings and post events (www.newmexico.org/industry/Login.aspx). Download the NMTD Working Together instruction sheet via nmindustrypartners.org/?page_id=12 for more information.
• Sign up for the travel newsletter (www.newmexico.org/enews/).
• Join the Department’s many fans on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NewMexico) and follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/nmtourism) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/nmtourism/).
The tourism industry site www.nmindustrypartners.org was created to share travel-related industry trends, statistics and information about Department programs and marketing efforts with tourism industry constituents; provide outreach opportunities to maximize funds that may otherwise be restricted to local and regional marketing efforts; and support industry efforts involving advocacy and promotion. Be sure to:
• Check out New Mexico in the News stories (http://nmindustrypartners.org/?page_id=242) and to send us either a pdf or a web link to those we’re missing.
• Visit our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/visitnewmexico) bursting with New Mexico videos. Subscribers to the channel can opt to get a notice with each new posting. Remember: Videos are only happy when people watch them.
• See what your fellow industry partners are up to and be sure to let us know what you’re up to as well, so we can share it (nmindustrypartners.org/?page_id=405).
• Avail yourself of the latest travel research (nmindustrypartners.org/?page_id=14), which Jim Orr has assembled, and use the information to your best advantage.
• Sign up to receive press releases and emails like this one to stay current on all the latest tourism-related developments.
Officials want businesses to stay tuned for big changes coming soon to www.newmexico.org, including:
• An interactive map featuring all business that have created a business listing on the site, searchable through detailed filters.
• Customizable trip planner and itinerary builder.
• Interactive Scenic Byway pages.
• New and improved event listings and event management.
• Complete Social integration of all of the Department’s channels on the homepage of newmexico.org.
• Media Gallery featuring vivid photos and videos of New Mexico.