Twelve counties in Colorado are slated for wildlife habitat conservation and public education projects using $205,497 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Grand, Huerfano, La Plata, Mesa, Park, Rio Blanco, Routt, Saguache and San Miguel counties.
“Our volunteers across Colorado helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and it’s part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors.”
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 470 conservation projects in Colorado with a value of more than $111.2 million.
Partners for 2009 projects in Colorado include the Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Division of Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, corporations and landowners.
Youth archery event.
Youngsters interested in the sport of archery are invited to attend a one-day archery event at the Bighorn Archery Range in Pueblo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. The Colorado Division of Wildlife and Johnson Sport and Ski are co-sponsoring the event.
Activities include target practice, a fun shoot, a 3-D shoot and instruction. Boys and girls ages 7-16 are invited to attend but must be accompanied by a parent.
Instructors from the DOW and local archery experts will provide instruction on the finer points of archery safety and shooting a bow. The DOW will furnish the equipment.
The Bighorn Archery Range is located just east of the DOW office at 600 Reservoir Road. The range features 10 shooting stations with covered platforms.
For more information, call Johnson’s Sport and Ski, 719-542-6012, or the Division of Wildlife, 719-227-5207.
Pet safety urged.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is reminding Grand Valley residents with pets to be mindful of wildlife.
DOW officers are currently investigating an incident where a dog recently was killed by a wild animal in a Redlands neighborhood. Bobcat and coyote tracks were found near the scene, and lions are not uncommon throughout the area. Officers also were notified of mountain lion sightings near the Colorado National Monument and in Glade Park.
Pet owners are encouraged to feed animals indoors. Dog and cat food can attract raccoons, skunks and other small animals. The presence of smaller animals can spread disease to pets and also can attract larger predators to an area.
Besides dogs, outdoor cats also are susceptible to wildlife encounters. Foxes, coyotes, hawks, eagles and owls have been known to target cats and small dogs with regularity.
Outdoors editor Charlie Meyers is on vacation.
