Colorado elk will get a big boost this year after the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and others helped raise over $2.57 million for habitat improvement projects. $611,000 came from RMEF as a grant and partners contributed an additional $1,960,838, the Canon City Daily Record reports.

“These funds assist three research projects including one that helps biologists learn more about why elk recruitment is ailing and another focusing on how elk are impacted by human recreational activity,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Habitat enhancement projects include forest thinning, prescribed burning and repairing water developments, all to help elk, deer and many other species of wildlife.”

The funds will be used for 14 projects across 18,911 acres in Archuleta, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Eagle, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Jackson, Las Animas, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Routt, Saguache and San Miguel counties. Two additional projects will be geared toward the entire state.

According to the Canon City Daily Record, projects specific to Fremont County include thinning 223 acres of BLM land in the Waugh Mountain area and treating invasive weeds across 475 acres in the Sulphur Ranger District on the Arapaho National Forest. Funds will also help make improvements to the Canon City Ash Street Archery Range.