Clearfield, UT – April 4, 2025 – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) continues its collaboration with the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) to fund and support several critical wildlife conservation projects across the state of Utah. For the 2026 fiscal year, MDF is funding a third of the total $6.6 million allocated for projects, contributing $2,506,833 in total. These efforts aim to enhance wildlife habitats, restore ecosystems, and mitigate wildfire risks through strategic landscape restoration.
Among the key projects receiving funding and support are:
- Burnt Beaver Project: This ongoing initiative targets landscape restoration in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Summit County. Spanning approximately 861 acres, the project focuses on reducing hazardous fuel loads to lower the risk of wildfires, improving wildlife habitat, and promoting the regeneration of aspen trees into the 2026 calendar year.
- North Zone Aspen Restoration: Designed to revitalize aspen tree communities, the project will remove encroaching conifer trees within aspen stands across approximately 1,200 acres in the Swan Flat area of the Logan Ranger District in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The removal of conifers will improve ecosystem balance and enhance biodiversity in the region.
- Bourbon Fuel Treatments: This project further supports efforts to manage fuel loads in critical landscapes to mitigate the impact of wildfires and sustain healthy wildlife habitats.
“These projects align with our core mission to ensure the conservation and restoration of essential wildlife habitats, including mule deer,” said Greg Sheehan, CEO of MDF. “While our focus as an organization is on mule deer and black-tailed deer, we fully support conservation efforts that impact other wildlife such as turkey, pronghorn, elk, and moose as they all share the same backyard in the beautiful state of Utah,” Mr. Sheehan continued.
MDF’s Regional Director for Utah, Jeremy Anderson, shared, “It is with great pride for the members, volunteers and chapters across the state that MDF can fund a record amount of money here in Utah. We’re able to touch on each area in Utah and be part of making the difference in mule deer herds in the future.”
Habitat Partnership Coordinator for MDF, Tyler Meservy, added, “Through our relationship with the Watershed Restoration Initiative, we continue taking steps to protect our home state of Utah’s ecosystems, while promoting habitat resilience. These projects improve the outdoors not only for us and future generations to enjoy, but also for all those who love to recreate in the outdoors.”
The Mule Deer Foundation remains committed to advancing conservation initiatives that benefit wildlife and their habitats. Membership is an excellent way to support MDF’s mission to protect wildlife habitat. For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation or to become a member, visit www.muledeer.org.
“With nearly 9 million acres burned in 2024 and millions more at risk of catastrophic fire, it’s more important than ever to properly manage our forests, protect communities and enhance key wildlife habitat,” said MDF CEO, Greg Sheehan. “We want to thank members in the Senate for working together to craft this important legislation and urge its swift passage.” Mr. Sheehan continued.
The Mule Deer Foundation remains committed to advancing conservation initiatives that conserve the habitats of Mule Deer, Black-tailed Deer and other wildlife that share those landscapes. Membership in the Mule Deer Foundation and/or Blacktail Deer Foundation is an excellent way to support our mission to protect wildlife habitat. For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation or the Blacktail Deer Foundation or to become a member, visit www.muledeer.org or www.blacktaildeer.org.
