SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -(Ammoland.com)- Cheyenne Wyoming’s Art Reese was elected as the new chairman of the Mule Deer Foundation’s board of directors during the annual board meeting at the end of August.
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. 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 on their <a href=”http://www.muledeer.org/” target=”_blank”>website</a> or call 1-888-375-3337.
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. 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 on their <a href=”http://www.muledeer.org/” target=”_blank”>website</a> or call 1-888-375-3337.
Reese has worked on wildlife conservation issues throughout his life and has served on the MDF board for the past six years. He will be filling the shoes of former board chair, Brian Fienhold, who was recently hired as the organization’s chief operations officer.
As board chair, Reese intends to continue MDF’s strategic growth to put more money on the ground for the conservation of mule deer and black-tailed deer.
“Art is an outstanding choice to lead our organization as the Mule Deer Foundation moves forward with our conservation priorities,” commented MDF President/CEO, Miles Moretti. “I have worked closely with Art for many years, both through MDF and in Art’s work with the state of Wyoming. He is a passionate and pragmatic conservationist and will help MDF increase our impact on the ground.”
A lifelong hunter and outdoorsman, Reese worked with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for 25 years ultimately serving as division chief of the agency’s services branch.
In that capacity, Reese was responsible for habitat improvement, land acquisition, information and education work including the state’s award winning magazine, and more. After leaving WGFD, Reese worked as policy director for Governor Jim Geringer and then served as director of cultural resources for Governor Dave Freudenthal.
He retired from state service and worked as a wildlife biology contractor with Shell Oil, Ultra Resources, and QEP Energy on the Pinedale anticline. He is now fully retired in Cheyenne and has been volunteering his time for conservation projects for several years including six years on the MDF board.
“I have always appreciated the unique model that MDF uses for conservation in relying on its incredible volunteer network. This allows more than 90 percent of the funds raised to be used on the ground for habitat conservation,” note Reese. “While volunteers are truly the engine that drives our conservation work, our outstanding cadre of regional directors are the gas for that engine.”
As board chair, Reese intends to continue what he refers to as the “exemplary work” of MDF’s volunteer board of directors. In addition, he plans to work more closely with the organization’s RDs and volunteers and to increase fundraising to put even more money on the ground for habitat projects.
Under his leadership, the board will be finalizing a new strategic plan that will tie to increasing the budget for habitat conservation work.
“I have a favorite quote that I’ll paraphrase for this situation: ‘If not us, then who. If not now, then when. If not… why not,’” Reese said. “This is particularly true for us – if MDF doesn’t work for mule deer conservation, who’s going to do it? We are working together to conserve mule deer so children that haven’t even been born yet will still have the opportunity to see them and to hunt them.”
About MDF:
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. 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 on their website or call 1-888-375-3337.