Everyone appreciates a pat on the back, even when you don’t see it coming.
The University of Montana Alumni Association recently recognized Camryn Rhodes, a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation staffer, for her career accomplishments since her 2021 graduation. Rhodes is one of 25 UM graduates highlighted as part of the association’s 25 Under 25 program.
Raised in Montana’s outdoors with a love of large mammals, fishing and rafting the Missouri River, and annual hikes into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Rhodes studied terrestrial wildlife biology. She also worked at the University of Montana Zoological Museum while she was a student.
A four-year member of the UM Dance Team, Rhodes earned a spot as a professional cheerleader after graduation for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. She moved back to Montana in 2023 to accept a position as RMEF’s lands program coordinator where she helps coordinate land conservation and access projects that benefit elk and other wildlife species.
Over her short 10-month RMEF career, she helped complete 11 projects in seven different states that conserved and opened public access for hunting, fishing, hiking and other recreational activities to about 80,000 acres of wildlife habitat, or about the same size as 60,500 football fields.
“I am extremely honored to receive the 25 under 25 award from the University of Montana,” said Rhodes. “The work that we are involved in here at RMEF is very impactful and is making a huge difference on landscapes across the country. I feel privileged to be engaged in this important work and I look forward to conserving more wildlife habitat. “
Click here to view the 25 Under 25 list.
(Photo credit: Camryn Rhodes)