July 7, 2004

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact: For more information, contact Dan Crockett at 406-523-4568 or crockett@rmef.org

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Elk Foundation Names New Director of Education

 

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has named Maggie Engler of Rapid City, S.D., as the organization’s new director of education. Engler, on staff as the organization’s regional director for South Dakota since 2000, will relocate to Missoula to oversee conservation education and hunting heritage programs for the Elk Foundation.

 

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Maggie’s passion and experience to head up our conservation education programs,” said Elk Foundation President/CEO Peter J. Dart. “We have a solid program in place with High Schools for Habitat (HSH), and I know Maggie is anxious to expand our conservation education program for younger students.” The foundation’s HSH program, currently offered in 45 schools across North America, teaches students the principles of natural resource stewardship and offers them the opportunity to help raise funds to protect wildlife and wild places.

 

Engler’s first focus will be creating the conservation education exhibit for the visitors center in the foundation’s new headquarters building slated for completion in the summer of 2005.

 

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me and I am extremely excited to move into this position from the field,” Engler said.

 

With 17 years of experience in conservation education, Engler brings tremendous knowledge to her new position and is deeply committed to both wildlife conservation and preserving our hunting heritage. Prior to her field staff position with the Elk Foundation, she worked for 10 years as the education services coordinator for the South Dakota Division of Wildlife. Before that, Engler was the head naturalist for the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, Wis., where she, among many other duties, directed the sanctuary’s interpretive and environmental education programs.

 

Engler holds a BS in natural resource management and a minor in environmental education and interpretation from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. She and her husband are relocating to Missoula in mid-July when she will begin her new duties.

 

In 2004, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Founded and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, the organization has grown and evolved into an international conservation leader. Powered by volunteers, members, supporters and partners, the Elk Foundation has completed more than 3,800 conservation and education projects, impacting more than 4 million acres of habitat for elk and other wildlife. To help pass on an elk country legacy for future generations, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 1-800-CALL ELK.