Las Vegas Students to Discover Elk, Hunting, Conservation

About 160 students from two Las Vegas-area schools will learn about elk, hunting and conservation as part of a first-annual educational workshop to be held in conjunction with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation convention and expo.

The inaugural Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience is set for Friday, Feb. 3.

“This event is being organized as a fun field-trip for students from Explore Knowledge Academy and the Innovations International school,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “Students will arrive at the Las Vegas Convention Center at 9:00 a.m. and begin a lesson that’s seldom taught in public schools—how hunters have helped so many species go from vanishing to flourishing.”

Following a short lecture on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, students will tour the exposition hall, enjoy the booths and attractions and hear from biologists, hunters, outfitters, conservation groups and agencies about sustainable use of wildlife resources.

“We’ll treat the students to lunch and send them back to school, hopefully with a much better understanding of how true conservation works,” said Allen.

There is no cost for the students or schools.

Funding and support for the workshop are being provided through an endowment from Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA.

“We continue to be amazed at the vision, commitment and generosity of the Potterfields and MidwayUSA. We’re very grateful for their partnership,” said Allen.

The RMEF convention and expo, nicknamed “Elk Camp,” is an annual public-welcome conservation fundraiser hosted in part by International Sportsmen’s Expositions. The Feb. 2-4 event includes the expo hall and hundreds of booths, seminars and other attractions, plus the 2012 RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships, all at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Full convention registrants can also enjoy banquets, auctions, entertainment and other festivities planned for the Riviera Hotel.

For more information, visit www.rmef.org.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

The mission of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. In support of this mission the Elk Foundation is committed to: Conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitats; Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; Fostering cooperation among federal, state, tribal and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation; and Educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics and wildlife management.