CLEARFIELD, Utah, May 21, 2026 – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) continues to empower its grassroots conservation efforts across the West through its Chapter Rewards Program. During its recent monthly meeting, the Review Committee approved 17 new projects across six states for a total commitment of $271,256. The Chapter Rewards program is designed to ensure that a portion of event proceeds stay within chapter areas to support conservation projects vital to local deer herds.
This program provides funding for habitat conservation and education projects which support MDF’s core mission to conserve mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat. Our accomplishments would not be possible without the dedication of hundreds of chapter volunteers across the country who spend countless hours planning and hosting local banquets and events. Together, all the event attendees help raise the chapter rewards dollars for mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.
“The real success story behind Chapter Rewards is our volunteers and supporters,” said Greg Sheehan, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Our local chapters dedicate countless hours to hosting events because they care deeply about the future of mule deer and black-tailed deer. The people who attend those events are directly funding meaningful conservation work on the ground, and these projects are a direct reflection of their commitment to wildlife and habitat conservation.”
The 17 Chapter Rewards projects to receive funding are within California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. They include projects that will install water sources, modify fences to become wildlife-friendly, conduct habitat restoration, and support mule deer and black-tailed deer research studies. Examples of proposed projects include:
- Doublehead Solar Well Retrofit –Chapter Rewards funding will match funding from the Water for Wildlife Foundation to retrofit two existing groundwater wells in the Modoc National Forest of northeastern California. Reliable water sources in this area are sparse, with the nearest two to three miles from the well sites, making functional water infrastructure critical to supporting local deer herds and wildlife.
- Red Desert Mule Deer Migration –Chapter Rewards funding will support GPS collar deployment in a long-term mule deer study along the Sublette Mule Deer Migration Corridor in Wyoming, which is the longest known mule deer migration in the world. This is the sixth consecutive year the MDF Chapter Rewards Program has supported this research which has included opportunities for chapter volunteers to assist with deer handling and collaring.
The Chapter Reward program and funds are flexible for use where Chapters can complete projects themselves, collaborate with state and federal agency partners or other conservation organizations, or have MDF complete the work. These cooperative efforts help expand the scale and impact of habitat work, by improving migration corridors, enhancing forage, and increasing resilience to challenges such as drought, wildfire, and habitat fragmentation. In 2025, the Chapter Rewards program helped MDF have another banner year with 153 projects that helped 129 mule deer herds, removed or modified 149 miles of fence, and benefited 537,195 acres of habitat.
About the Mule Deer Foundation
The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat. Through science-based management, partnerships, and community engagement, MDF works to enhance wildlife populations and maintain healthy, connected landscapes for future generations.
