Mule Deer Foundation Press Release!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 20th, 2024
CONTACT: Shawn Blajszczak (shawn@muledeer.org)
Wyoming Wildfire Assistance
The Mule Deer Foundation steps up to help ranchers and mule deer impacted by recent wildfires in NE Wyoming
Northeastern, WY – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is assisting with relief efforts for landowners and mule deer after a recent outbreak of large wildfires drastically impacted northern Wyoming east of the Bighorn Mountains. These fires have significantly impacted the livelihood of working ranches and Wyoming families, affected large swaths of mule deer habitat, and created challenges for continued use of these landscapes by people, livestock and wildlife.
These fires have created an emergency situation where quick response is required. MDF is stepping up to help those most affected and is contributing much needed funding to local relief efforts focused on rebuilding and improving fencing, providing seed for burned areas, and preventing annual invasive grasses like cheatgrass from gaining a solid foothold. Ranchers have a huge need for fencing infrastructure to help with managed grazing. Mule deer and other wildlife need continued access to these critical habitats to survive throughout the year. Wildlife friendly fences are required both for the livelihood of the ranchers as well as to enable wildlife to safely move across this landscape. This situation also presents the unique opportunity for MDF to move in immediately after the fire to prevent noxious invasive vegetation taking over while encouraging native plant growth.
MDF through our grassroots fundraising efforts and two of our key local partners, Big Lost Meadery https://www.biglostmeadery.com/ and Azyre Gear https://azyregear.com have decided to contribute $20,000 to kick off this critical effort. We are asking those who want to join MDF in contributing to the Northern Wyoming Wildfire Relief Effort to ensure proper restoration takes place quickly.
Together we can improve the ability of wildlife to move throughout the landscape while helping these hard-working ranchers recover and sustain their ability to make a living.
Our goal is to raise $60,000 by October 31st to support these relief efforts. MDF will match each donation dollar for dollar for the first $20,000. Every dollar you help us raise in this campaign will help restore impacted landscapes while supporting the ranching families whose ability to earn a livelihood has been decimated by these fires.
Join the fight today by contributing to the Mule Deer Foundations Northern Wyoming Wildfire Relief Efforts by clicking on the link below.
https://go.muledeerfoundationfundraising.org/wywildfire
About the Mule Deer Foundation:
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to conserving mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat. MDF is a strong voice for hunters, wildlife management, and conservation policy issues. To join MDF and get involved in your state go to https://muledeer.org or call 1-801-973-3940.