Two families have helped permanently conserve important elk habitats in Colorado, seeking out the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to help protect their land and the wildlife that call it home.
“We both salute and recognize the Mancuso and Tolson families who each entered into a voluntary conservation agreement with RMEF to protect a combined 1,966 acres of important elk range,” said Kyle Weaver, President and CEO of RMEF.
The Mancuso family enlarged its previous 2018 Burris Mountain conservation easement by nearly 700 acres north of Cotopaxi, providing important habitat space for both elk and mule deer. The acreage also lies within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation area, a collaborative planning area shared by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service. RMEF holds voluntary conservation agreements protecting more than 3,800 acres of wildlife habitat just a few miles from the Burris Mountain project.
Additionally, David Tolson placed protections on 1,279 acres of his land approximately 40 miles east of Craig, CO. The property sits between more than 2,800 acres of BLM land to the west and 10,500 acres of BLM land to the east and is enrolled in Colorado’s Ranching for Wildlife program under the Snake River Ranch, making it available to 40 to 60 hunters each year.
“Though approximately 225 miles apart, each of these properties features key wildlife and riparian habitat for elk, mule deer, and other species,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Tolson’s Camel Back Mountain property itself lies within vital elk and mule deer winter range as well as an elk migration corridor.”
RMEF, founded more than 37 years ago, has conserved more than 8.2 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also supports efforts to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure America’s hunting heritage.
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