The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is planning its Second Annual Banqut and Fundraiser.

The banquet will be held March 17 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo in Chattanooga. The doors open at 5 p.m. with a social hour, which will include drawings, raffles, games, drinks and a silent auction. A dinner and a live auction will follow.

A ticket for the event costs $65, which includes a one-year membership to the Elk Foundation and a meal ticket. Couples tickets, which include two meals and one membership, are $95. Persons unable to attend the banquet but wishing to join the foundation can do so at a cost of $35 for an annual supporting membership, or $75 for an annual family membership.

For more information, contact Bruce Witt at 706-638-1167.

Since 1984, the RMEF has permanently protected more than 1,000 square miles of elk habitat, and opened up 480,000 acres of previously closed lands for the public to hunt and fish. In addition, the RMEF has enhanced 3.7 million acres of elk country, including 74,169 acres in Tennessee.

Foundation officials estimate that every $125 raised saves one acre of elk habitat.