BENEZETTE - Elk season in Pennsylvania has very little to do with hunting and everything to do with conservation, education and economics.
Today, because of the efforts of the privately funded and bipartisan support in Harrisburg, the Keystone Elk Country Alliance has turned the business of elk in Pennsylvania into a 24/7, 365-day project in conserving and enhancing the herd and habitat for future generations. This non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife conservation organization, formed in December 2009, focuses its resources on Pennsylvania's elk herd and the Elk Country Visitor Center, which was completed with the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF)'s withdrawal from the project in its early stages led to the formation of KECA. KECA's president and CEO, Rawley Cogan, is thoroughly familiar with all aspects of Pennsylvania's elk herd. He was in charge of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's elk program until he resigned in 2002 to work with the RMEF. He then resigned from that organization in 2009 to concentrate on KECA.
"Pennsylvania's elk herd has very little to do with people who will ever pull a trigger hunting them, but has a lot to do with conservation and education," Cogan said. "In order to attract those people, we wanted to build a world-class facility and make this a destination point that everyone - hunters, hikers, campers, wildlife photographers and families looking for a unique experience - wants to visit.
"Last year, we had more than 200,000 visitors come through our doors and participate in our interactive programs and watch our multimedia presentations, but what we have here is both an educational and marketing tool," Cogan explained. "Admission is free and our presentations are free, but we do have a gift shop - where all the products are made in the United States - and have events such as wagon rides, sleigh rides and the theatre that charge admission. However, most of our funding comes from memberships, including former RMEF members now supporting KECA, and contributions from businesses and private individuals.
"What we're looking to do is become self-sufficient by the people coming through the door, and the people coming here are doing so because they support the elk and our conservation, economic and conservation projects," Cogan continued. "Something as simple as what we call the 'Elk Roundup,' where we ask customers in the gift shop if they would like to round up the price of their purchases to the next full dollar, goes a long way to help our work."
As for the Elk Center itself, visitors from all 50 states and 33 foreign countries have toured the facility since its grand opening Oct. 6, 2010. The building is located on a 245-acre site on Winslow Hill in Benezette Township, Elk County, adjacent to Elk State Forest and State Game Lands.
Once inside the 8,400-square foot eco-friendly building, one gets the feeling of stepping back in time. There is a stone fireplace to greeting visitors, a "Great Room" with ceilings supported by large wooden trusses and a panorama of windows looking out on elk-viewing areas and food plots. The building also features a "Story Theatre" with multimedia experiences and other techniques.
There has been broad-based support for the Elk Center from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Dominion, Thorenson Foundation, Safari Club International, the Eastern Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, members, volunteers and many individual donors. Individuals can become a permanent part of the center by purchasing an brick paver inscribed with the name of their choice.
Cogan makes it clear that nothing can compare with a trip to the geographic boundries of Pennsylvania's Elk Country to experience the attractions of the visitor center and seeing free-roaming elk. It is the remoteness of the area, however, that prevents some who want that up-close and personal experience from making the trip. Elk County is approximately 125 to 200 miles from various starting points in Columbia, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties.
"If this is to be here for future generations, we have targeted those in kindergarten through fifth grade as our number one market. We've had school trips from as far away as Philadelphia and New Jersey," Cogan said. "It is important that young kids are exposed to conservation, and, so far, more than 4,100 have attended our programs, which are an extension of the Pennsylvania Education Curriculum.
"We recognize that our geographic location prevents many schools from visiting, so, if they can't come to the elk, we're taking the elk to them in the form of video conferencing. With our multi-media capabilities, we can show all the displays and interact with the students.
"This will be ready to go later this year, so schools that are interested in the program can make arrangements for us to come into their classrooms. Nothing can replace coming here, but this is the next best thing."
Membership in the KECA is growing steadily, and this year volunteers promoted its work with a display at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg and similar shows throughout the state. Cogan hopes that as early as next year, the organization will have an even stronger presence and participate in more shows throughout the state to inform people about this Pennsylvania organization that is working for Pennsylvania's elk.
Cogan said it is KECA's belief that the Elk Country Visitor Center provides a world-class experience to build bridges of education and understanding between urban and suburban environments. Both the focus of the organization and the physical building are to conserve, protect and enhance Pennsylvania's elk country - which is defined by the physical boundary determined by the state wildlife agencies.
Elk country includes the people that live in elk country, elk, other wildlife including non-game species and their habitat. For the KECA to be successful, it needs support for the Elk Center, for people to take a course of action to become involved in conservation efforts, joining a local banquet committee, attending fund raising events, becoming a volunteer at the Elk Center or contributing financially.
Visitors who wish to stay on site can book lodging in the nearby Elk Mountain Homestead. This two-story furnished farmhouse is a feeding and bedding area for elk, so visitors often need not travel far to enjoy viewing these majestic animals.
Elk Mountain Homestead is owned by the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources and currently managed by the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. Rent from this property, formerly known as the Betta Christmas Tree Farm, benefits elk and other wildlife.
Inside the three-bedroom home, that can sleep as many as 10 people, is a 20-by-20-foot living room with fireplace and furniture, a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker, a dining room table that seats eight and two bathrooms with showers.