By Samuel Kowal (originally published in the March-April 2025 issue of Bugle magazine)

RMEF volunteers unite to secure critical water access for wildlife in east-central Nevada. 

Surrounded by the rugged hillsides of east-central Nevada, a dedicated crew of 15 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers came together this past June to make a difference, one drop of water at a time. 

In just about six hours, the team—collaborating with volunteers and staff members from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), White Pine County Sportsmen, Elko Bighorns Unlimited and Nevada Bighorns Unlimited (NBU)—helped install two large wildlife guzzlers in the most arid state in the country. Located about 20 miles south of Ely, the guzzlers now provide a reliable water source to roughly 500 elk in one of Nevada’s most popular hunting areas, as well as mule deer, desert bighorn sheep and other species that call the dry terrain home. Supported by funding from RMEF and other nonprofit organizations, the completed installations can together store and distribute more than 19,000 gallons of water, an investment in the future well-being of Nevada’s wildlife. 

The dedicated volunteers traveled from across Nevada to help complete the installation of the drinker collection apron and fencing. Their hard work and enthusiasm played a crucial role in finishing the construction by early afternoon so a helicopter and truck could later deliver water to the storage tanks, making both sites fully operational that very same day. 

Volunteers ranged in age from children as young as 10 to seasoned members in their 70s. The teamwork and motivation on the ground inspired longtime RMEF member Rick Hartmann. 

“The energy of the people was amazing,” says Hartmann. “No one slowed down. No one argued. Everyone just stepped up and did what needed to be done. It was refreshing to see a group work so well together.” After finishing the work, the group gathered for a dinner of tri-tip before swapping stories over steaming Dutch ovens of cobbler.  

“Everyone was there for the same purpose: the wildlife,” says Deanna Ackerman, RMEF regional director for Nevada. “Regardless of what hat you had on, whether it said RMEF, NDOW or NBU, everyone worked incredibly hard. It was great to see all the different groups coming together.”