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     RMBS collaborates with numerous Federal and State agencies, other non-governmental organizations, and private consulting firms to further bighorn sheep conservation, research, and hunting opportunities throughout the United States.

     RMBS has provided financial resources, equipment, and/or volunteer personnel over the past 30 years for numerous projects, as described below.

2007 Projects

Conservation Projects | Education & Research

2006 Projects

Land Conservation | Education

Projects Before 2006:
Land Conservation | Habitat Enhancement | Management and Research | Conservation Education | Miscellaneous

 

2007 Projects

The RMBS is pleased to present this summary of donations and project assistance provided to various organizations during 2007.  These funds were raised through the donations by bighorn sheep and goat advocates throughout North America.  Funding sources include license auctions and raffles, optic and rifle raffles, our annual convention and membership dues.

 

Our sincere thanks go out to all contributors who made 2007 such a great year. We look forward to your participation again in 2008!

 

Conservation Projects

Love Meadow State Wildlife Area

Approximately $3000 was donated to reseed and improve water distribution at the Love Meadow State Wildlife Area.  This popular sheep viewing area is located along Chalk Creek some ten miles south of Buena Vista, Colorado.  The RMBS was also instrumental in acquiring this winter range and erecting bighorn sheep interpretive signs and a viewing stand along the county road.

Clear Creek County Court House Bighorn Sheep Mount

$500 was donated toward completion of a full size bighorn sheep mount to be placed in the foyer of the Courthouse.  The sheep was harvested illegally and will be part of a display to explain the importance of bighorn sheep along the I-70 corridor and the penalties involved with illegal harvest.

Carmen Island Census

$5000 has been donated to the Organization Vida Silvestre to assist with desert bighorn sheep census projects on Carmen Island, Baja Mexico. The Carmen Island desert sheep are an important source of translocation stock to historical sheep ranges on the Baja peninsula.

Horse Thief Ranch State Land Lease

The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society continues to hold the grazing lease on this state land along the Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Granite Colorado. The lease helps protect this important lambing, summer and winter range area.


Education & Research Projects

Rocky Crate-FNAWS Endowed Chair, Washington State University

$3,000 was donated to on-going bighorn sheep disease research at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Colorado Division of Wildlife Hunter Orientation

The RMBS continues to support this annual seminar, which provides information and education to all sheep and goat license recipients.

Colorado Youth Outdoors

$10,000 was again donated to this important program, which provides outdoor education to high school students in member schools throughout Colorado.  The curriculum includes hunting, fishing, outdoor survival shooting and other outdoor related activities.

An additional $3000 was donated to support the program at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown, Colorado.

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program

RMBS sponsored two attendees at the “Outdoors Woman” program in Estes Park, Colorado. 

College Scholarship Program

A $1000 scholarship was provided to a College Student enrolled in an Environmental, Forestry or Biology program.

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2006 Projects

The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society donated or committed funds to eleven different projects during 2006. These commitments total $73,620 that will be used for research, study, public education, habitat improvement and other needs that will continue to assure that our Colorado State Animal, the bighorn sheep will survive and thrive in our constantly changing environment.

 

The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society also donated a total of $16,000 to educational programs in Colorado during 2006.

 

Conservation Projects

Jaw Ridge-Debeque Canyon

A check for $10,000 was delivered to the BLM to be used with other funds to enhance bighorn sheep habitat at the upper end of the canyon where sheep were introduced four years ago. Habitat work will include treatment of cheat grass, removal of pinion/juniper along the canyon rim and reseeding where necessary.

Sagauche Creek Corridor Protection Project

RMBS committed $6,500 for conservation easement on the Sutherland Ranch along Sagauche Creek. This Trust will be administered through the Colorado Cattlemen's Land Trust and is part of an on-going project to protect the longest remaining undeveloped pass in western Colorado. RMBS has previously donated $30,000 to other phases of this project.

National Bighorn Sheep Center, Dubois, Wyoming

A check for $4,000 was sent to the National Bighorn Sheep Center for development of a new interactive exhibit. The RMBS was instrumental in the founding of this center and continues to support the interpretive center located in the vicinity of the famous Whiskey Mountain sheep herd.

Fryingpan River Road Sheep Signs

$600 was donated to install sheep warning signs in a high use area to warn motorists of bighorn sheep crossing.

Granite Colorado Interpretive Bighorn Signs

$4,000 was donated to the Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association to create two large signs to be placed at the Granite State Wildlife Area along the Arkansas River. One will explain the life cycle of bighorn sheep and the other will explain the role RMBS plays in preservation and enhancement of bighorn sheep herds in Colorado.

Pikes Peak Population and Lungworm Treatment Study

RMBS has committed $1,920 toward ewe pregnancy testing as part of this important research study in the Pikes Peak and Dome rock area.

Black Ridge Desert Bighorn Monitoring and Assessment Project

$15,000 has been approved to assist CDOW with this research project regarding desert bighorns along the Colorado River west of Grand Junction.

Glenwood Area Drop Net Funding Project

RMBS approved $2500 toward the purchase of a drop net system to be used on Bighorn Projects in the Glenwood Springs area. Radium State Wildlife Area Habitat Improvement $17,500 has been approved for habitat improvement at the SWA along the Colorado River west of Kremmling. Bighorn Sheep are expected to be reestablished in this canyon during 2007.

Avalanche Creek, (S-25) Sheep Distribution and Lamb Survival Study

RMBS has approved a donation of $10,000 for purchase of sheep collars to be used as part of a new sheep research project in the Avalanche and Crystal Creek area west of Carbondale.

Glenwood Canyon Bighorn Sheep Study

$1,600 has been approved to purchase radio collars for placement on ewes in the Glenwood Canyon area.

 

Education Projects

Colorado Youth Outdoors

RMBS donated $10,000 to the Colorado Youth Outdoors to support the central administration of the CYO program in all the high schools included in this program. The CYO program is designed to teach students a variety of outdoor skills including fly-fishing, survival, hunting, shooting and other outdoor related activities. RMBS also donated $3,000 to open a new CYO program at Roosevelt High School in Johnstown, Colorado.

Outdoors Woman

RMBS donated $1,000 to this program, sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. This donation covers the tuition for 2-3 women to participate in the program at Estes Park, Colorado.

Park County 4-H Shooting Sports Program

$1,000 was donated to the Park County 4-H to help develop a new shooting range for the group.

Scholarship Program

A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a Western State College student. The annual scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Biology/environmental Science or forestry related student in Colorado.

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Past Projects

Land Conservation

Lease of Horse Thief Meadow

The State of Colorado State Land Board gave RMBS a ten-year renewable lease on the 400 acres known as Horse Thief Meadow, which is prime, year-round sheep habitat. RMBS has been leasing this property since 1991.

Middle Creek Ranch Conservation Easement

The Middle Creek Ranch is part of the Seguache Creek Conservation Easement Legacy Project, which was spearheaded by the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust. They were starting to experience housing development in the area. With the conservation easement in place, however, the landowners agreed to curtail development and keep the land for agricultural use. The Middle Creek Ranch is in prime bighorn sheep habitat. RMBS worked with the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust along with other conservation organizations to put this easement together and assisted financially with the project. This easement benefits bighorn sheep as well as the other large and small game in the area.

Flying X Ranch Conservation Easement

The Flying X Ranch is part of the Seguache Creek Conservation Easement Legacy Project, which was spearheaded by the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust. They were starting to experience housing development in the area. With the conservation easement in place, however, the landowners agreed to curtail development and keep the land for agricultural use. The Flying X Ranch is in prime bighorn sheep habitat. RMBS worked with the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust along with other conservation organizations to put this easement together and assisted financially with the project. This easement benefits bighorn sheep as well as the other large and small game in the area.

Purchase of Love Ranch Meadow, Chaffee County, Colorado

The purchase of this 11-acre site was a cooperative effort involving RMBS, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the International Order of Rocky Mountain Goats, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the Colorado Wildlife Heritage Foundation. Although it is a relatively small parcel, the meadow and adjoining mountainside is vital, historical winter range for bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk and mountain goats. Our efforts have curtailed further residential development and created a valuable wildlife preserve.

45 Ranch/Owyhee Canyonlands Conservation Easement, Southwest Idaho

Conservation easement for sheep habitat obtained in partnership with the Nature Conservancy and other conservation organizations.

L Cross Ranch Conservation Easement

Conservation easement for sheep habitat obtained in partnership with the Nature Conservancy and other conservation organizations.

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Habitat Enhancement

Water Guzzler Installations in the Upper Arkansas River Canyon

The bighorn sheep in this area were crossing railroad tracks to get to the Arkansas River, their main water source. The Colorado Division of Wildlife wanted to install two (2) water guzzlers in the area to keep the sheep from being killed on the railroad tracks, especially since there is a significant herd of bighorns in the area. RMBS assisted both financially and with labor for the installation of the guzzlers.

Prescribed Burns

With RMBS providing the necessary funds, the United States Forest Service conducted large scale prescribed burns. The objectives of these burns included removing trees and shrubs which had invaded the meadow areas thereby creating more nutritious forage, opening migration corridors, and reducing the spread of parasites. Two of the areas that received funding were the Poudre Canyon, Larimer County, Colorado and the Tarryall Mountains, Park County, Colorado.

Various Habitat Improvement Projects

RMBS provided funding and volunteer assistance to the Colorado Division of Wildlife for various habitat improvement projects in Waterton Canyon, Clear Creek, Grant, Georgetown, Love Ranch, Anderson Gulch and Horse Thief Meadow areas of Colorado. These projects involved brush removal, fertilization of winter range, and reseeding to alter species composition and improve plant nutrient content as well as palatability.

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Management & Research

Population Dynamics in the Curecanti National Recreation Area

With RMBS providing the funding, the National Park Service personnel researched the population dynamics and factors limiting lamb recruitment in a transplanted bighorn sheep herd in the Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Purchase of Trapping Nets, Neck Bands, Radio Transmitter Collars, Radio Receivers and Vaccines for use by the Colorado Division of Wildlife

RMBS purchased necessary equipment for use by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. RMBS members also participate with the Colorado Division of Wildlife in the baiting, trapping, radio collaring/tagging, medicating and transplanting of sheep herds around the state.

Sheep Surveys

RMBS members participate in sheep surveys throughout the state of Colorado and in the Encampment River Canyon area of Wyoming. Volunteers, under the direction of field biologists and local wildlife managers, scout summer ranges and observe the sheep without disturbing them. The purpose of these studies is to determine estimated herd populations, lamb survival rates and the animals' general health.

Holy Cross Wilderness Area Bighorn Sheep Reintroduction

The Holy Cross Wilderness Area is historical bighorn sheep range. RMBS volunteers assisted the Colorado Division of Wildlife with the transplanting of bighorn sheep from the Rampart range area.

Aerial Population Surveys in the Culebra Peaks Region of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

The Colorado Division of Wildlife Salida office flew the Culebra Peaks Region to do a bighorn sheep survey to determine the number of sheep and the sex ratio. RMBS assisted financially.

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Education

Construction of the Bighorn Sheep Viewing Center in Georgetown, Colorado

RMBS and the Colorado Division of Wildlife constructed the Bighorn Sheep Viewing Center in Georgetown, Colorado. This facility provides people of all ages with the opportunity to view bighorn sheep in their natural habitat.

"Living On The Edge" Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Viewing Guide

RMBS, Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Rocky Mountain Goats Foundation worked in conjunction to produce this informative guide on both the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and mountain goats. RMBS provided funds and photographs as well as reviewing the layout and written material. The Viewing Guides are distributed throughout Colorado, at DOW functions, viewing centers, and from RMBS.

Colorado Youth Outdoors

RMBS provides funds to assist the Colorado Youth Outdoors (CYO), a nonprofit organization, with their efforts in teaching Colorado's youth about hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Many if not most of the children have never been introduced to hunting or fishing prior to the program. One of the requirements to participate in the program is that you have one of your parents participate with you. This has opened up the world of outdoor activities to many adults too and brings the parent and child closer as they have something in common that they can share.

"Elementary Education Activities Workbooks" - The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture

RMBS provided funds to produce the Elementary Education Activities Workbooks. These 40 page booklets are a way to educate youngsters about wildlife in Colorado. The workbooks were offered and/or sent to all Colorado public grade schools. Ten thousand copies were produced.

Love Ranch Viewing Center, Chaffee County, Colorado

The Colorado Division of Wildlife built a wildlife-viewing center in this historical winter range for bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk and mountain goats. RMBS assisted with the signage.

National Bighorn Sheep Interpretative Center, Dubois, Wyoming

RMBS has assisted the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretative Center with raising necessary funds to help build and run the center from it's inception. We have also assisted with various educational seminars throughout the summer months, both financially and by giving seminars.

Becoming An Outdoors Woman Scholarships - A Hunting Heritage Project

The Becoming An Outdoors Woman Program aims to break traditional barriers for women in outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping, outdoor cooking, shooting sports, hiking, photography, wildlife watching and animal calling. The Colorado Division of Wildlife accepts applications from women throughout Colorado that are interested in participating in the Becoming An Outdoors Woman program. Every year there are applicants that would love to participate, but can't afford it. The Colorado Division of Wildlife works with RMBS to set up scholarships for these women.

Colorado State University Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society

RMBS has helped the Student Chapter in their fundraising efforts by giving them financial support and RMBS memberships and merchandise to use at their annual banquets.

Operation Game Thief (OGT) Trailers

RMBS provided financial assistance to Operation Game Thief (OGT) for their purchase and outfitting of two new OGT trailers. The trailers are used throughout Colorado at various functions, including Sportsmen Shows.

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Miscellaneous

RMBS, in joint ventures with the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, has raised $1.7 million dollars from Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat and Moose auctions and raffles between 1989 to 2004. The proceeds of which have been returned to the Colorado Division of Wildlife for habitat and herd health projects throughout the state of Colorado.

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© 2005-2008 Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society