Good news for the only landscape in the world home to tule elk.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Bureau of Land Management worked with private landowners in northern California, who value wildlife and conservation, to conserve and protect 3,384 acres of habitat and place it in the public’s hands. Now under the BLM management umbrella, the land is open for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.

The acreage consists of two parcels about 150 miles north of Sacramento. One is an inholding surrounded by more than 10,000 acres of BLM-managed land while the other has four miles of Elk Creek and lies between large, unfragmented blocks of both BLM and U.S. Forest Service land.

“This is the latest phase in a landscape-scale project dating back to 2006 with a goal to eventually protect 70,000 acres of tule elk habitat in the Eel River watershed. That was the vision of the late Rich Padula and now his son and family members continue his conservation work. We recognize and express our gratitude to them and our BLM partners for their valiant efforts to conserve this land that was under imminent threat of development,” said Jenn Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations.

The BLM acquisition links together more than 30,000 acres of existing public land featuring important migration corridors and habitat for elk, mule and black-tailed deer, black bear, mountain lion, wild turkey, predators and other wildlife species. The land also supplies crucial riparian habitat, including 14 overall miles of creeks that benefit steelhead trout, chinook salmon and other species.

“We are proud to partner with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on this important acquisition for the public,” said Dereck Wilson, manager of the BLM Northern California District. “This conservation achievement will benefit wildlife and the people who love this land well into the future.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund supplied financial support for the project.

Combined with earlier work, including a 2021 project just two miles to the north that conserved and opened public access to nearly 12,000 acres, RMEF so far helped protect nearly 40,000 acres of wildlife habitat in the immediate region. RMEF aims to continue the area conservation momentum in 2025 with an RMEF negotiated voluntary conservation agreement, which is being funded in part by the Land and Water Conservation Fund’s Forest Legacy Program.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:????

Founded in 1984 and fueled by hunters, RMEF has conserved more than 8.9 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation” ®?at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.?

About the Bureau of Land Management:

The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land in the nation, primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.