Below is a Facebook post by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northcentral Region.

A major project is underway to give Pennsylvania’s largest land mammal, elk, new habitat and a prime spot for people to see them!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission teamed up with partners Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Turkeys for Tomorrow to add 250 acres of prime elk habitat and a new future elk viewing area near Parker Dam State Park in the Moshannon State Forest.

Each year, the Game Commission receives funding from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) via the Governor’s Elk Tag awarded to RMEF to auction off to raise money for elk conservation. Eighty percent of the money raised comes back to the Game Commission to help fund elk conservation.

Much of the state’s elk habitat sits on reclaimed strip mines, which have become grasslands perfect for elk and other grassland animals. Since elk are mainly grazers, eating grasses and wildflowers, these areas are critical for their survival.

This project is unique because we’re creating woodland savannahs, which are open areas with islands of trees. We also kept a mix of oak, cherry and other special trees in place. These trees will provide habitat for not just elk but birds, insects and other critters, too.

Around the trees, we planted grasses and plants that are great food for elk. While the project is currently under development, we expect these woodlands to be fully green by next spring.

In addition to the new elk habitat, we’re also creating a small elk viewing area that borders a section of the state forest road adjacent to this project. The elk viewing area is slated to be completed by the end of 2027 with the entire project finished in approximately four total years.

A section between the project and the viewing area will be planted with warm season grasses and native wildflowers to support pollinators like bees and butterflies. This natural buffer will help promote safer elk viewing.

We’re excited to see the project coming together and are hopeful elk will be moving into the area soon.

(Photo credit: Pennsylvania Game Commission)