NWTF Missouri Commits $263,231 for Mission Delivery in 2026 

“Annually, our partners have always done a great job of submitting a great mix of projects for the Missouri State Board to consider that helps us address both halves of mission delivery,” said John Burk, NWTF district biologist for Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. “I am also proud and grateful to live and work in the Show Me State, where our volunteers work hard all year, ensuring that we can fund the majority of the projects submitted.” 

NWTF conservation project funding will be matched with $497,688 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects. 

The Super Fund is a funding model through which NWTF volunteers raise money at banquets and other fundraisers, allocating a significant portion of those funds back into meaningful conservation and outreach projects in their respective states. For Missouri’s 2026 Super Fund allocations, projects include:  

• $32,000 to support aerial prescribed burning on 40,000 to 60,000 acres of the Mark Twain National Forest.  

• $30,000 to complete more than 2,000 acres of private land cost-share work in north Missouri and the Ozarks.  

• $15,000 toward the Roots to Roost Initiative.  

• $15,000 toward general conservation programs support in Missouri.  

• $9,000 to complete more than 300 acres of burning on private land in the Missouri River Hills.  

• $7,350 for a pendulum seeder for use on private land in Central Missouri.  

• $5,000 for 139 acres of timber stand improvement at Drury Mincy Conservation Area.  

• $5,000 for a sprayer for a habitat strike team assigned to the Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge.  

• $5,000 for 25 acres of non-native and invasive species treatment at Poosey Conservation Area.  

• $5,000 support funding for the NWTF Conservation Seed Program.  

• $4,731 for a dragon egg launcher to be used for glade and woodland restoration in the Little Niangua River priority geography.  

• $4,000 for 32 acres of non-native and invasive treatment at Fort Crowder Conservation Area.  

• $4,000 to refurbish the Callaway County no-till drill.  

• $4,000 for a sprayer for Bois D’ Arc Conservation Area.  

• $3,100 for 35 acres of non-native and invasive treatment at Mark Twain Lake  

• $750 for a mist sprayer to be used on private land in southwest Missouri.    

The following projects support education, outreach and hunter access efforts in Missouri and include:  

• $25,000 unrestricted gift to support endowed professorships.   

• $17,500 to support affiliate dues Women in the Outdoors, National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, United States Shooting Association, Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program, Hunting Heritage and Share The Harvest.  

• $12,100 to support three Wheelin’ sportsmen mentored hunts and two mentored youth turkey hunts.  

• $10,000 for scholarships.  

• $7,500 to support production of landowner outreach tool with American Bird Conservancy and the University of Missouri Extension.  

• $3,700 for JAKES.  

• $15,000 for the Show Me Gobbler newsletter. 

• $23,500 for volunteer development, travel and administrative costs. 

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 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.