Clearfield, UT – April 4, 2025 – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) continues its collaboration with the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) to fund and support several critical wildlife conservation projects across the state of Utah. For the 2026 fiscal year, MDF is funding a third of the total $6.6 million allocated for projects, contributing $2,506,833 in total. These efforts aim to enhance wildlife habitats, restore ecosystems, and mitigate wildfire risks through strategic landscape restoration.
Among the key projects receiving funding and support are:
- Burnt Beaver Project: This ongoing initiative targets landscape restoration in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Summit County. Spanning approximately 861 acres, the project focuses on reducing hazardous fuel loads to lower the risk of wildfires, improving wildlife habitat, and promoting the regeneration of aspen trees into the 2026 calendar year.
- North Zone Aspen Restoration: Designed to revitalize aspen tree communities, the project will remove encroaching conifer trees within aspen stands across approximately 1,200 acres in the Swan Flat area of the Logan Ranger District in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The removal of conifers will improve ecosystem balance and enhance biodiversity in the region.
- Bourbon Fuel Treatments: This project further supports efforts to manage fuel loads in critical landscapes to mitigate the impact of wildfires and sustain healthy wildlife habitats.
“These projects align with our core mission to ensure the conservation and restoration of essential wildlife habitats, including mule deer,” said Greg Sheehan, CEO of MDF. “While our focus as an organization is on mule deer and black-tailed deer, we fully support conservation efforts that impact other wildlife such as turkey, pronghorn, elk, and moose as they all share the same backyard in the beautiful state of Utah,” Mr. Sheehan continued.
MDF’s Regional Director for Utah, Jeremy Anderson, shared, “It is with great pride for the members, volunteers and chapters across the state that MDF can fund a record amount of money here in Utah. We’re able to touch on each area in Utah and be part of making the difference in mule deer herds in the future.”
Habitat Partnership Coordinator for MDF, Tyler Meservy, added, “Through our relationship with the Watershed Restoration Initiative, we continue taking steps to protect our home state of Utah’s ecosystems, while promoting habitat resilience. These projects improve the outdoors not only for us and future generations to enjoy, but also for all those who love to recreate in the outdoors.”
The Mule Deer Foundation remains committed to advancing conservation initiatives that benefit wildlife and their habitats. Membership is an excellent way to support MDF’s mission to protect wildlife habitat. For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation or to become a member, visit www.muledeer.org.
About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only national 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 in your state or become a member at www.muledeer.org or call (801) 973-3940.
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