PROTECTING
WILD CALIFORNIA
RMEF ACQUIRES NORCAL LAND TO HELP PRESERVE TULE ELK HABITAT By Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
T
hanks to the strong conservation ethic and vision of a Northern California landowner, Rich Padula, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is pleased to announce nearly 12,000 acres of tule elk habitat is now permanently protected and in the public’s hands. The conservation transaction con-
serves critical forestlands from threats of conversion and builds upon the Eel River Peninsula Conservation Strategy to protect up to 70,000 acres of Northern California’s coastal wildlife habitat. “Seldom can one man make such a positive impact on one wildlife species, but that is exactly what Rich Padula has done,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “His actions over a number of years cement a conservation legacy
that benefits the future of tule elk as well as other wildlife.” RMEF purchased 8,092 acres of the 11,902-acre tract about 125 miles north of San Francisco and conveyed it to the adjacent Mendocino National Forest, thus opening it to public access and protecting critical tule elk and other wildlife habitat. Previously, with a generous donation from the Wyss Foundation, the Trust for Public Land purchased
As part of an ambitious project, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation purchased more than 8,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat around the Eel River in Northern California with the intent to preserve tule elk and other wildlife that live there. (ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION)
calsportsmanmag.com | AUGUST 2021 California Sportsman
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