Recommendations: nonprofits habitat

[chindits]

So does anyone have any recommendations for nonprofit groups in the CO or ROMO area that are pretty focused on improving/preserving habitat for big game. I am not really interested in political crap just actions on the ground. The group doesn't have to be pro hunting, but it can't be anti hunting.

I really don't want any pro-predator focused groups. I think with the restrictions on trapping and predator control these days, this is the predator heyday and I'm not too happy with that, but that's a topic for another day.

Links and reasoning behind these recommendations would be appreciated. I know this isn't a hot topic, but I got to get some stuff squared away on the personal side of the house.

Thanks for your efforts.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Are you looking to provide financial support or just get involved with on the ground projects?
Can't really give you answers in Colo but I would start with the DOW and see what you could get involved with.
I'm sure they could use help with planting bitterbrush or cutting down junipers.

 

[dotman]

Seek out a local chapter of BHA or RMEF. They can always use extra help or donations.

 

[SDC]

So does anyone have any recommendations for nonprofit groups in the CO or ROMO area that are pretty focused on improving/preserving habitat for big game. I am not really interested in political crap just actions on the ground. The group doesn't have to be pro hunting, but it can't be anti hunting.

Could you expound upon this a bit more? What do you mean by improving/preserving habitat for big game? What do you mean by not being interested in the political crap? And, define "pro-hunting", please.

Not trying to pick a fight; just trying to help make sure that advice you get is advice you actually want.

 

[chindits]

mnt runner 260, I'm revising my will so it would be financial. I have offered labor to one of our local D.M.'s on habitat projects, but he hasn't called yet.

SDC, I'm more concerned about getting things done on the ground then supporting any particular lobbying effort or agenda that is not directly related to actual project work or securing lands that may be of particular value (winter range comes to mind) to big game. I don't feel I have to define "pro-hunting" since that was preceeded by "it doesn't have to be". That means it can be or it doesn't have to be specifically related to an organization that is hunting motivated. The difinitive word was "anti-hunting" which was preceeded by "can't". So if anything, I should probably define anti-hunting.

 

[MattB]

RMEF is where my money would go. Efficient and focused on conserving habitat regardless if it will be hunted or not.

 

[Lukem]

RMEF is where my money would go. Efficient and focused on conserving habitat regardless if it will be hunted or not.

Agree. Few organizations other than RMEF are focused on habitat across the west. MDF does some, but it seems to be intermittent. None of it is quite like what the upland and waterfowl organizations do as far as habitat is concerned. Some of it has to do with management of those species vs. big game and some has to do with land ownership. Habitat conservation takes different meanings when you're dealing with massive federal holdings vs the cornsilk jungles of the midwest. q

 

[chindits]

Thanks for the input. I got a few RMEF recommendations locally. I kind of wish the elk and muley folks would join forces or there was sometype of western habitat umbrella group, but it is what it is.

 

[SDC]

Given those parameters, I'd say RMEF is probably your best bet. I agree that the Mule Deer Foundation and RMEF (and the Wild Sheep Foundation, among others) should team up more. You might also want to take a look at what Trout Unlimited is doing locally. Clean water is damned important to game animals as well as fish and TU puts a lot of effort into headwaters conservation (i.e., elk and muley habitat).

 

[lak2004]

Maybe look at TRCP (teddy Roosevelt conservation partnership)

 

[SDC]

Maybe look at TRCP (teddy Roosevelt conservation partnership)

TRCP doesn't do on-the-ground stuff. They are a great group, but they are a convener of other groups; they make sure that the various conservation groups that are part of the Partnership are on the same or similar pages in regards to issues and help distill out common messages. They do a really good job at that, but they don't fit what the OP is looking for.

 

[lak2004]

TRCP doesn't do on-the-ground stuff. They are a great group, but they are a convener of other groups; they make sure that the various conservation groups that are part of the Partnership are on the same or similar pages in regards to issues and help distill out common messages. They do a really good job at that, but they don't fit what the OP is looking for.

Good to know, thanks. I thought they might have some on-the-ground stuff, but I was mistaken.

 

[SDC]

Good to know, thanks. I thought they might have some on-the-ground stuff, but I was mistaken.

No problem at all. Whit and crew do a great job with what they do, and it's important. Each org has their own role and their own niche, and it's good to have the players we have now as conservationists, hunters, and anglers all starting to pull in the same direction.

 

[BroodBuster]

Not sure if there are any trail associations in Co but in Wa we have the WTA (Wa Trail Assc) that does an excellent job of maintaining the local trails.

I think a mix of giving to a local, boots on the ground organization, and one of the national organization already mentioned is a good way to go.

 

[Mtnboy]

RMEF is what I'd say as well.

Another good thing about RMEF is that they put 9 out of every 10 dollars they receive to work, they don't waste a lot of money.

 

[WRO]

Fnaws