Science & Conservation

Mountain Goats Eating

RMGA Mission:

Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance’s mission is to increase and enhance the management, range, and populations of Rocky Mountain Goats across both native and suitable non-native North American habitats without negatively impacting native ungulates while educating the public of ongoing conservation projects and petitioning for the expansion of sustainable hunting opportunities across the continent.

SCC Vision:
Establishment of the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance (RMGA) as a respected voice for science-based expertise related to mountain goat conservation, with active involvement in the science and management of mountain goat populations across their range.

SCC Mission:

  • To increase the involvement of the RMGA in mountain goat population and habitat management efforts across the range of mountain goats (including both native and introduced populations).
  • To enhance the availability, breadth, and use of scientific data and baseline information on mountain goat populations, distributions, and diseases to inform management decisions and conservation efforts.
  • To promote linkages between the RMGA and other conservation and scientific organizations, and governmental wildlife agencies.
  • To promote the scientific and conservation aspects of the RMGA mandate.


Committee membership:

  • Steve Gordon (co-chair)
  • Kevin White (co-chair)
  • Kevin Hurley
  • Darryn Epp
  • Bill Jex
  • Julie Cunningham
  • Hollie Miyasaki
  • Aaron Shafer


The Board may add members at the recommendation of the Committee. RMGA members in specific locations or with particular experience or expertise may be drawn upon to participate in site-specific efforts for raising the profile of the RMGA and the Science & Conservation Committee (SCC), for drawing upon volunteer networks or to represent the RMGA SCC at local events.


Goals and Objectives:

Increase the use and utility of citizen-science efforts, increase scientific rigour in volunteer-led inventory projects.

  • Promote RMGA participation in volunteer support for research projects where practical;
  • Develop guidance documents/ protocols to inform volunteer-driven population surveys/ inventories and on-the-ground conservation efforts
  • Investigate opportunities for RMGA to coordinate volunteer monitoring efforts


Support research projects on mountain goat habitats, populations, disease and other management issues through in-kind and/or financial support.

  • Leverage contacts with post-secondary institutions, investigate opportunities for in-kind or direct support for mountain- goat-related research; Highlight the need and opportunity for greater focus on mountain goats as a species requiring additional research focus.
  • Promote scholarship and professional development for students interested to mountain goat research and conservation, including facilitating student participation in the Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council symposia, field projects and other opportunities.


Increase the availability of relevant science to support mountain goat conservation and management.

  • Enhance linkages with science-focused organizations involved in mountain goat management, including the Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; Work to enhance the interaction between the RMGA and scientists involved in mountain goat research across state, provincial, federal jurisdictions.;


Educate land and resource decision-makers regarding the implications of land and resource use on mountain goat habitat and populations.

  • Seek opportunities to participate in wildlife management agency meetings to communicate the scope and intent of the RMGA as it relates to the Science and Conservation Committee
  • Submit written comments and/or position statements relative to mountain goat conservation issues to inform resource decision-making related to mountain goats.
  • Identify and highlight common objectives between the RMGA and other conservation organizations, state and provincial government agencies and environmental non-governmental organizations.
  • Develop a document that highlights research and conservation priorities across the range of mountain goats.


Support fund-raising efforts related to mountain goat science and conservation by using the RMGA profile and membership.

  • Increase RMGA profile across the range of mountain goats through contact with conservation groups and wildlife management agencies;
  • Participate in fund-raising efforts related to scientific/ research and citizen-science projects
  • This Strategic Plan may be amended from time to time upon the discretion of the SCC, with endorsement of the RMGA Board of Directors.