The Mule Deer Foundation donated 11,600 pounds of Sage Brush seed valued at $253,000 to reseed important California wildlife habitat destroyed by fire.
MDF donated the seed to the Eagle Lake Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Susanville, CA to reseed portions of Eastern Lassen County, which was devastated by one of California's largest fires in recent history. The Rush Fire destroyed more than 315,000 acres, including some of the best deer hunting habitat in the state.
MDF California Regional Director Randy Morrison said, "The Rush Fire burned almost exclusively in hunting unit X5B, a limited-entry only area, and 80% of it was burned completely to the ground. It was critical deer habitat that is now gone. It looks like the dark side of the moon. It needs this help from MDF."
He said the seed from MDF conservation partner Native Seed Company of Lehi, UT will help restore approximately 75,000 acres of habitat for both mule deer and sage grouse, as well as a host of other wildlife species.
Morrison worked with Valda Lockie of the BLM and Justin Dean, owner of Native Seed, which will store it until next summer, when the BLM will begin planting.
Volunteers who want to help bring this area back to life are encouraged to contact Randy Morrison with the Mule Deer Foundation at 707-592-9998. There will be seed planting opportunities as well as a number of water development projects
About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation's national convention will be held in conjunction with the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 21-24, 2013, featuring a keynote address by Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association. Visit www.huntexpo.com.
The Mule Deer Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 charitable non-profit organization, is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has put millions of dollars and countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-3337.
Press release found at the Outdoor Wire
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