MISSOULA, Mont.--For the first time in its 30-year history, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation surpassed the 200,000 member mark. Membership now stands at an all-time high of 203,703. The new total, as of the final day of 2013, is 7,624 higher than the end of 2012. It also marks record growth for the fifth year in a row.
"We are extremely thankful for all our members and volunteers who believe and invest in our mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage," said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.
The surge in membership continues a trend that began in 2008. Since then, hunters and conservationists joined RMEF to increase overall membership by more than 25 percent.
Evidence of RMEF's growing membership also exists in its growing social media presence. RMEF recently passed 100,000 likes on Facebook and set an organization record by reaching more than 2.1 million Facebook users over a seven day period in late 2013. RMEF is also active online via its website and blog as well as Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.
"More and more people are finding out that RMEF stands tall alongside sportsmen and women in support of conservation, wildlife management and hunting," added Allen. "Hunters remain the driving economic force that funds land and wildlife conservation in North America. We will continue to press forward in our quest to conserve and enhance vital habitat, create and secure public access, restore elk to their native range, strengthen and ensure the future of our hunting tradition, promote the management of all wildlife including predators and spread the fact that hunting is conservation."
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
RMEF is leading a conservation organization that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.4 million acres-an area larger than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
