High Desert News

November/December 2007

Mike Laughter, MDF Regional Director

As summer draws to a close, we begin to enjoy cooler weather here in Utah for the first time in months. We are still feeling the aftermath of one of the hottest summers on record. Hot, dry temperatures and lack of summer rains also made this one of the most destructive fire seasons Utah has ever seen. From one end of the state to the other, thousands upon thousands of acres were destroyed by fire. This became a priority for the Mule Deer Foundation here in Utah. We were able to start a fire rehab fund. We were able to allocate $250,000 to fire rehab on critical mule deer winter and summer range throughout the state. As the projects are identified by the Division of Wildlife Resources, they will submit the proposals for us to review and give our approval. Though this is a great start, it will fall far short of repairing all the damage caused by this summer’s fires. It could take years to restore some of the burned areas.

Though the banquet season here in Utah has drawn to a close and chapter volunteers have shifted their focus to cool mountain temperatures and changing leaves, this is the time of year that MDF is committing funds for 2008 projects. To date we have committed $342,000 for habitat projects in the state of Utah. This does not include money set aside for fire rehab. We are scheduled to meet with the Division of Wildlife Resources once more before the end of the year to finalize project monies for 2008. Be sure to check the MDF Web site or attend any Utah banquets to find out what the final totals will be.

The Logan, Utah, Chapter of MDF has set their banquet date for Saturday, February 16, in Cache Valley, Utah. Be sure to check the MDF Web site for details as we get closer to the event.