RMEF Volunteers Donated $24 Million in Mission Value

In 2020, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers contributed just shy of $24 million worth of value in donated time and labor to further RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.

“Our volunteers are amazing and are the heart of RMEF. Day in and day out they truly represent who we are as an organization,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “At no time was that more evident than in 2020 when, despite facing a litany of challenges, they found creative and innovative ways to generate revenue for our mission. We thank them for their passion and dedication.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provided information to the Independent Sector which calculated the 2020 value of one volunteer hour as $27.20.

RMEF boasts a volunteer army numbering approximately 11,000 men, women and children from more than 500 chapters. They each average approximately 80 hours of service annually which equates to $23,936,000 of total conservation value for RMEF’s mission.

In addition to hosting banquets, membership drives and other fundraising events, volunteers also improve elk country by pulling on their boots and rolling up their sleeves to remove old fencing, plant seedlings, construct and repair wildlife water guzzlers and carry out other habitat enhancement projects. In addition, they mentor novice hunters and give of their time to provide education and support at camps, seminars and other outdoor-related hunting and conservation outreach events across the entire nation.

April 19-25, 2021, marks National Volunteer Week.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded more than 36 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 231,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 8.1 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.