Newest MDF Chapter Formed in Arizona

A Message From MDF's New Arizona State Chairman, Rick Redpath:  

With the continuing drought here in Arizona the Mule Deer are in need of our help more than ever. We need all of the help that we can get.  We are involved in several projects with Arizona Game and Fish including hauling water to critical mule deer water holes that have run dry or have almost run dry.

We are in the early stages of putting our 2002 and early 2003 banquets together.  Including the newest MDF chapter in Arizona, the East Valley Chapter in Mesa.

Joining the MDF and volunteering is a great way to give back to our beloved Mule Deer. If you can make the time, you can make a difference.   There is always a need to for new committee members with fresh ideas in our established chapters and a need to get Chapters established throughout the entire State of Arizona.

The Tucson Chapter of MDF has joined up with the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge in April to cleanup some of Arizona's best mule deer habitat. 

MDF volunteers along with others picked up trash along Highway 286. 'Dia de la Basura' is a semi-annual event down along the refuge. 'Day of the Trash' was held on April 6th and with the help of the MDF volunteers, participants picked up 75 bags of trash.

The Tucson Chapter has joined the Arizona Game and Fish Department in the Adopt-A-Ranch Program.  

The Tucson Chapter has adopted the Santa Rita Experimental Range, Southeast of Tucson.  We will be working with the Range manager to look at a number of projects.  Some of these projects will only require 'sweat equity'.  Future projects will be announced soon. For information on any of the news items call: 

MDF State Chairman Rick Redpath, (520) 822-1453.

Mule Deer Foundation Field Director Named Arizona's Top Conservationist

Mule Deer Foundation Field Director Named Arizona's Top Conservationist

by Guy J. Sagi

Todd Rathner, Regional Field Director for the Mule Deer Foundation and member of the National Rifle Association Board of Directors, has been named 2001 Conservationist of the Year by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

Conservationist of the Year is awarded to an individual, who through a professional agency affiliation, has excelled in efforts to enhance, conserve and manage wildlife or their habitats through any variety of accomplishments.

Rathner will be honored during the state's annual "Meet the Commission" Awards Banquet and meeting January 19th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Phoenix.

"The things I have been able to accomplish to further conservation in Arizona are the direct result of the hard work of the Mule Deer Foundation volunteers who are  dedicated to a future for hunting and Arizona's wildlife," Rathner said.

Rathner's work on behalf of the Mule Deer Foundation in Arizona was the reason cited for his recognition.

Rathner has also played a critical role in a landmark private landowner conservation pact in Northern New Mexico dealing with the area's chronic decline in mule deer populations. Studies in the area are underway, and it is the largest private landowner conservation pact in history.

The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit conservation organization with several chapters in Arizona, dedicated to stopping the decline of the deer of the West. Its Second Annual Convention takes place March 15-17 in Reno, Nev.

Az MDF site built & maintained by the folks at AZOD.com as a Community Service

2002© Arizona State Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation. 
Permission required prior to use of any text or graphics.