Conservation Groups Unite To Protect New Mexico Habitat
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) are leading an effort to pool resources, expertise and enthusiasm to permanently protect and utilize a pristine 211-square-mile landscape in west central New Mexico. Renowned for its wildlife populations, the Double H Ranch is now a collaborative conservation project spearheaded by the RMEF and MDF.
The ranch, also known as the Torstenson Family Wildlife Center, was gifted to the RMEF when owner Bob Torstenson of Pecatonica, Illinois, passed away in May 2002. Among the first orders of business was drafting legal documentation to ensure the future of the ranch's habitat. Torstenson's family trust donated a conservation easement to the RMEF, which has extensive experience in permanent land protection. The easement will stay with the land, forever restricting certain kinds of development on more than 80,000 acres. The document permits responsible agriculture, conservation education activities and other land uses compatible with protecting wildlife, habitat and aesthetic values.
The ranch, valued at $17.5 million, consists of 95,696 deeded acres plus a 39,433-acre New Mexico State Land Office lease, for a total of 135,129 acres. In addition to gifting the property to the RMEF, Torstenson also left a $4 million-cash endowment to ensure the best possible stewardship of the property into the future. The gift was among the largest ever given to any conservation organization, and the largest in RMEF history.
The RMEF is leading discussions of future plans for the property. A dedication ceremony is planned for this summer and hunts for elk and mule deer will be offered later this year through auctions and raffles, with proceeds earmarked for ranch programs. Details about these hunts will be released later this year.
For more information, contact the MDF at (888) 375-DEER or the RMEF at (800) CALL ELK.
In related news, a partnership among local, state and federal agencies and private organizations has led to 865 acres being added to the Edward and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park in St. Charles County, Missouri, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced.
The present 253-acre state park is located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. A federal wetland restoration grant will enable the Missouri DNR to add 350 acres to protect wetlands, and an agreement with the Metropolitan Park and Recreation District in St. Louis will allow an additional 515 acres to be leased for the park. Together, these additions will bring the total park acreage to 1,118 acres.
The federal grant is a $1 million North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant, which is administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife Forever (WF), the nonprofit affiliate of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, wrote the grant and will administer the funds. The grant program is designed to acquire, preserve and develop wetland ecosystems for waterfowl, other migratory birds, fish and wildlife.
"In times of tight public budgets, partnerships like this one are absolutely critical," said Douglas H. Grann, president and CEO of WF. "This is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished through partnerships and cooperative agreements. It's a win for wetland dependent wildlife, public recreation and the tourism appeal of the Lewis and Clark celebration next year, which will have long term economic returns."
For more information, visit www.wildlifeforever.org.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) are leading an effort to pool resources, expertise and enthusiasm to permanently protect and utilize a pristine 211-square-mile landscape in west central New Mexico. Renowned for its wildlife populations, the Double H Ranch is now a collaborative conservation project spearheaded by the RMEF and MDF.
The ranch, also known as the Torstenson Family Wildlife Center, was gifted to the RMEF when owner Bob Torstenson of Pecatonica, Illinois, passed away in May 2002. Among the first orders of business was drafting legal documentation to ensure the future of the ranch's habitat. Torstenson's family trust donated a conservation easement to the RMEF, which has extensive experience in permanent land protection. The easement will stay with the land, forever restricting certain kinds of development on more than 80,000 acres. The document permits responsible agriculture, conservation education activities and other land uses compatible with protecting wildlife, habitat and aesthetic values.
The ranch, valued at $17.5 million, consists of 95,696 deeded acres plus a 39,433-acre New Mexico State Land Office lease, for a total of 135,129 acres. In addition to gifting the property to the RMEF, Torstenson also left a $4 million-cash endowment to ensure the best possible stewardship of the property into the future. The gift was among the largest ever given to any conservation organization, and the largest in RMEF history.
The RMEF is leading discussions of future plans for the property. A dedication ceremony is planned for this summer and hunts for elk and mule deer will be offered later this year through auctions and raffles, with proceeds earmarked for ranch programs. Details about these hunts will be released later this year.
For more information, contact the MDF at (888) 375-DEER or the RMEF at (800) CALL ELK.
In related news, a partnership among local, state and federal agencies and private organizations has led to 865 acres being added to the Edward and Pat Jones-Confluence Point State Park in St. Charles County, Missouri, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced.
The present 253-acre state park is located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. A federal wetland restoration grant will enable the Missouri DNR to add 350 acres to protect wetlands, and an agreement with the Metropolitan Park and Recreation District in St. Louis will allow an additional 515 acres to be leased for the park. Together, these additions will bring the total park acreage to 1,118 acres.
The federal grant is a $1 million North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant, which is administered by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife Forever (WF), the nonprofit affiliate of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, wrote the grant and will administer the funds. The grant program is designed to acquire, preserve and develop wetland ecosystems for waterfowl, other migratory birds, fish and wildlife.
"In times of tight public budgets, partnerships like this one are absolutely critical," said Douglas H. Grann, president and CEO of WF. "This is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished through partnerships and cooperative agreements. It's a win for wetland dependent wildlife, public recreation and the tourism appeal of the Lewis and Clark celebration next year, which will have long term economic returns."
For more information, visit www.wildlifeforever.org.
