The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) has slated more than $260,000 in grants for Utah wildlife habitat conservation projects. The grants will be completed in 19 counties including: Cache, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, Rich, San Juan, Summit, Tooele, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, Washington and Wayne.

The money was raised through proceeds from Utah hunting permits sold at RMEF fundraisers. The projects include weed treatment and reseeding; removal of pinyon and juniper to restore sagebrush habitat; prescribed fires; repair wildlife guzzlers and acquiring winter range.

The Elk Foundation has completed more than 285 similar projects in Utah since 1984, spending more than $27 million.

Free REI clinics

Forecasters from the Utah Avalanche Center will present a clinic on avalanche awareness Dec. 8 at the Salt Lake store, 3285 E. 3300 South, in East Millcreek and Dec. 10 at the Sandy store, 10600 S. 230 West. The clinics, which start at 7 p.m., include a video and then turn to the basics of recognizing avalanche terrain and safe travel practices.

A snowshoeing 101 clinic is being held Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake store. Tim Coats of Tubbs Snowshoes will make the presentation on appropriate gear selection and the basic skills required to get out on the snow.

Youth snowmobile education course

The Utah State Parks Know Before You Go! youth snowmobile education course is now available online at stateparks.utah.gov.

Utah law requires youth eight to 16 to complete the Utah State Parks Know Before You Go! Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Education Course before operating a machine on public lands, roads or trails. It is illegal for any child under age eight to operate an OHV on public land.

The online course covers riding basics, safety, winter survival and Utah laws. Upon successful completion of the course, students print a temporary certificate valid for 60 days and later receive a permanent certificate by mail. Cost for the class is $30

Speedskating World Cup

The Essent ISU World Cup is being held Dec. 11-13 at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, 5662 S. 4800 West (Cougar Lane), with competition starting at 12:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free at this, the last, World Cup stop before the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Visit

Birding trip

Great Salt Lake Audubon is holding a trip to the Bear River National Migratory Bird Refuge west of Brigham City on Dec. 9 to look for bald eagles and tundra swans. The trip will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Sylvia at 801-532-3486 for more information.

Wasatch Mountain Club events

The club hosts the following events for members. Contact the trip leader for more information. To learn more about the club, or to become a member, visit www.wasatchmountainclub.org.

Dec. 6 » Backcountry Nordic ski. North of Iron Mine Mountain in the Uinta Mountains. Michael, 801-583-4721.

Dec. 6 » Snowshoe. American Fork Canyon. Jude and Andy, 801-216-4597 or judelizondo@aol.com.

Dec. 6 » Snowshoe. Dog Lake. Chris, 801-532-1646 or cdw_mmn@yahoo.com.

Dec. 8 » Backcountry ski. TBA. Chris, 801-485-1543 or proctorgtr@aol.com.

Dec. 8 » Snowshoe. Park City. Vince, 435-649-6805 or vincedesimone@yahoo.com.

Dec. 10 » Snowshoe. Cottonwood Canyons. Norm, 801-266-3703.

Dec. 10 » Evening climb. Local gym. Peter, 801-733-0313 or wmc-alpinist@hotmail.com.

Dec. 10 » Avalanche Awareness Clinic. Mt. Presbyterian Church, 3280 E. 3900 South, 7 p.m. Walt, 801-534-1262 or hass@xmission.com.

Dec. 12 » Day hike/snowshoe. West Grandeur. Liz, 801-486-0909 or liz1466@live.com.

Dec. 12 » Avalanche Awareness Clinic II. Avalanche beacon practice. Walt, 801-534-1262 or hass@xmission.com.

Dec. 13 » Backcountry ski. Break into backcountry introduction to the sport. Mark, 801-363-4504 or mborges@xmission.com.

Dec. 13 » Snowshoe. Scott's Pass. Carrie and Rick, 801-519-9257 or carolyn@yahoo.com.

Dec. 13 » Snowshoe. Big Cottonwood Canyon. Mark, 801-913-8439 or mark.mckenzie@slcc.edu.

Dec. 13 » Beginner snowshoe. Big Cottonwood Canyon. Knick, 801-272-2485 or knick.sold@comcast.net.

Dec. 13 » Backcountry ski. Backcountry tour. Will, 801-942-2921 or lizandwill@msn.com.

Dec. 13 » Backcountry ski. Nordic ski trout, Norway Flats, Uinta Mountains. Michael, 801-583-4721 or mberryxc@earthlink.net.

To get your event listed, e-mail the information to brettp@sltrib.com or mail it to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.