Allen Reappointed to Wildlife Hunting Heritage Conservation Council

MISSOULA, Mont.-Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack named David Allen, president and CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, to serve a second term on the Wildlife Hunting Heritage Conservation Council. The 18-member advisory group formed in 2010 advises Salazar and Vilsack on wildlife conservation, habitat conservation and hunting issues.

"I am honored to continue to serve alongside dedicated colleagues to improve wildlife and conservation efforts across this great country," said Allen. "Hunting is conservation. This commitment gives me the opportunity to be a voice for ensuring the future of elk, their habitat, and our hunting heritage."

The council helps promote and preserve America's wildlife and hunting heritage for future generations by providing advice about conservation endeavors that: benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, sporting conservation organizations, states, tribes and the federal government; and benefit recreational hunting.

"During its inaugural term, members of the council provided important recommendations on conserving wildlife habitat and water resources that are so important to America's hunting and angling heritage, as well as enhancing access to the great outdoors," said Salazar. "I am confident that today's appointments will provide a strong voice to the nation's conservation and sportsmen communities and ensure that the next generation enjoys a thriving wildlife heritage."

"America's rural communities and rural economies depend on healthy soil, water and air and America's hunters and anglers-our nation's first conservationists-have long fought to conserve those precious resources," said Vilsack. "These appointees are uniquely qualified to advise us on the full range of issues addressed by the council while reflecting the true conservation spirit of our nation's outdoor traditions."

Under Allen's leadership, RMEF recently passed 6.1 million acres in habitat conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

"We are excited about our past accomplishments but realize we have so much more to do as we look to the future," said Allen. "I commit to work tirelessly to promote the benefits of wildlife and habitat conservation, and keeping our country's hunting legacy and heritage strong."

The six federal agencies playing a key role in supporting and maintaining America's outdoors heritage-U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency-and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, will also appoint organizational members to the council.

For a list of other appointees named to a three-year term on the council, see the Department of Interior's press release at the link below:

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Vilsack-Announce-Members-of-Wildlife-and-Hunting-Heritage-Conservation-Council.cfm


About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.1 million acres-an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain 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.

Contact:
Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766, steve@blueheroncomm.com.