NWTF Kansas State Chapter Dedicates $106,354.70 to Mission for 2023

After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the NWTF Kansas Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $79,322.50 for conservation projects, plus $3,362 carried over for a project from FY22 and $23,670.20 for other projects including outreach-education events, state scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports support.

“The NWTF’s volunteers in Kansas are determined to make the most impact with the hard earned dollars they helped raise,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “These important conservation and outreach projects are an investment into the mission in the great state of Kansas. We are excited for all the great work to unfold in 2023.”

NWTF award funding will be matched with more than $3.3 million in partner funds for the approved projects, representing a 40:1 match rate for NWTF funding.

The Kansas State Board of Directors dedicated $82,684.50 in funding to the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects directed at Kansas habitat conservation objectives. Specific project awards include:

• $27,750 to support KDWP purchase of a seed drill for Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area
• $8,000 to support KDWP Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area with installation of wildlife water wells
• $10,572.50 to support KDWP with the purchase of a tractor for the private lands program
• $5,000 to support the NWTF District Biologist position
• $5,000 to support Fort Riley with pollinator plantings
• $2,500 to support Wolf Creek Generating Station with tree clearing and prairie restoration
• $8,000 to support Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams with position support for a Habitat Specialist
• $5,000 to support NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative
• $2,500 to support Smoky Hills Prescribed Burn Association with the purchase of prescribed burning equipment
• $5,000 to support USFWS Red Hills Region Partners for Fish and Wildlife program
• $3,362 carried over for KDWP iWIHA’s Slough Creek Educational Area habitat project from FY22

In addition, $23,670.20 was approved to support education/outreach efforts in Kansas including JAKES, WITO, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, the Kansas state scholarship, and shooting sports projects. Specific project awards include:

• $250 toward NWTF’s Hunting Heritage Fund
• $2,325 to support Ellis County 4H
• $865 to support Hayes High School Trap Team
• $2,500 to support Midway District 4H Shooting Sports
• $2,500 to support Kansas JAKES, WITO and Wheelin’ Sportsmen programs
• $2,000 for the Kansas State Scholarship
• $1,000 towards JAKES Take Aim trailer and equipment maintenance
• $100 to sponsor the Kansas Natural Resources Conference
• $500 to sponsor the 2023 Midwest/Southeast Deer & Wild Turkey meeting in Junction City, KS
• $500 towards wild turkey rewards
• $5,550 to support volunteer travel to the 50th anniversary convention and National Leadership Conference
• $2,773 for the membership rebate to the state chapter
• $400 for habitat project signs and equipment decals
• $2,407.20 for miscellaneous projects

About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $8.5 million into wild turkey research to ensure the wild turkey population remains healthy. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to increase clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities across the U.S. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF will continue its work to provide Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests for future generations.