The founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will be honored later this month by the city of Troy, where they started the conservation organization 30 years ago.

On July 25, the city of Troy will present Charlie Decker and Bob Munson, co-founders of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, with keys to the city. 

“Troy holds a special place in our hearts,” Munson said. “We are so grateful for the support we received as we struggled to get RMEF off the ground and operating. Without that support, we would not be where we are today with our more than 200,000 members making a difference for elk and elk country across the nation.”

The key-to-the-city ceremony will be in Troy’s Roosevelt Park along the banks of the Kootenai River on July 25 at 1:30 p.m. Mayor Darren Coldwell and other Troy officials, Munson, Decker, the foundation chairman of the board and various foundation volunteers and members from across the country will attend.

 Decker, Bob Munson, Dan Bull and Bill Munson set up shop in the back room of a trailer house in Troy and officially established the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation on May 14, 1984. 

Over the next four years, membership grew to 32,000. By then, 12 staffers worked in separate offices spread across a vacant dentist’s office, a mini-mall and an abandoned grocery store. Because of that growth, the foundation moved its headquarters to Missoula where it remains today. 

“I really feel the Elk Foundation was meant to happen, but there was a lot of heartache, sweat, tears and prayer went into the startup of this outfit,” said Decker. “We are really looking forward to this homecoming party. It only makes sense that we come full circle back to Troy to recognize our 30th anniversary.” 

According to Coldwell, “We’re excited about it. Troy loves a good celebration. It’s great that Bob and Charlie remember their roots and the community that supported them. We’re going to make sure the founders have a great time.” 

In the past 30 years, the foundation has conserved more than 6.4 million acres for elk and other wildlife. The foundation also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. 

Online:

www.rmef.org