05/06/2009
Nebraska's Republican River Chosen for Improvement Project
NEBRASKA — The National Wild Turkey Federation and project partners will improve 1,000 acres of land along the Republican River in south central Nebraska with projects worth more than $300,000 during the next three years.
The NWTF was recently awarded a $100,000 Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant to restore riparian areas, or areas along streams and rivers that are prime habitat for both game and non-game species. Coupled with funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the NWTF's Nebraska State Chapter, the money will allow for significant improvements to privately owned land in Nuckolls and Webster counties.
The NWTF and project partners will remove undesirable tree species including eastern red cedar, black locust and mulberry trees, plus grasses including smooth brome and downy brome from streamside areas. Native grasses, forbs and legumes will be re-established to create nesting and brood-rearing habitat for wild turkeys, northern bobwhite quail and pheasants, and provide food and shelter for white-tailed deer and small game species.
"Enhancing private land is critical because this area of the state has very few acres of public land," said Brandon Houck, NWTF regional biologist for Nebraska. "These projects will restore the land to provide valuable habitat for rare or declining species. Plus, the Republican River's water quantity will increase and the quality will improve."
Riparian restoration is important to the NWTF - so much so that the Federation began the Southern Great Plains Riparian Initiative to improve vital habitat across the Southern Great Plains.
The funds awarded through the Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant will be matched with dollars acquired through the NRCS' Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), which provides both technical assistance and cost-share assistance to help establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. The funding will lessen the cost to participating landowners from 25 percent to just 10 percent.
The Nebraska Environmental Trust is a state program dedicated to the preservation of Nebraska's natural resources. The Nebraska Environmental Trust provides the seed money needed to conserve critical habitat areas, protect water supplies and establish recycling programs in Nebraska through a unique combination of lottery proceeds and private donations.
"This project is a prime example of partners working together to accomplish a common goal that will benefit wildlife and anyone who utilizes the land and the river," said Dennis Conger, an NWTF regional director for Nebraska. "The Stateline Strutters local NWTF chapter was the driving force behind applying for this grant. Because everyone involved in this project has done their part, everyone will reap the benefits."
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Did you know?
Since 1985, Nebraska chapters have raised and spent more than $441,526 on projects within the state. For details, click here
To date, more than $1.5 million has been spent to improve wildlife habitat on 23,665 acres through the Southern Great Plains Riparian Initiative. |
The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF's volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting.
