NWTF South Carolina Bolsters Wildlife Habitat with $356,175 Commitment for 2026
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The South Carolina State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently met at Hickory Knob State Park to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2026 funding awards. The South Carolina NWTF Board of Directors allocated $307,345 for conservation projects, $5,000 toward NWTF’s Habitat for the Hatch Initiative and $43,830 for hunting heritage projects, including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and more.
"NWTF staff and our conservation partners are thankful for the talented volunteers who generate these funds year after year to continue our mission in South Carolina," said Ricky Lackey, NWTF district biologist for Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. "The projects that are funded for our 2026 fiscal year will greatly impact the wild turkey on public and private lands throughout the state of South Carolina."
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 and beyond.
In addition to funding raised by NWTF volunteers, the South Carolina NWTF State Chapter’s $307,345 investment includes $150,000 from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. This work is part of the South Carolina Wild Turkey Habitat Enhancement Program, a partnership between the South Carolina NWTF State Chapter and the SCDNR, in which the NWTF administers agency funding to benefit wild turkeys.
Through 16 projects, the South Carolina NWTF State Chapter is set to boost wild turkey habitat through various forest management practices, including prescribed burns, herbicide application, mechanical treatments and more. For 2026, the state chapter is set to impact 2,650 acres, bolstering the NWTF’s Habitat for the Hatch Initiative, a laser-focused initiative designed to create essential nesting habitat in close proximity to quality brood range. This initiative seeks to create 1 million acres across the Southeast that fit these specific criteria by 2033.
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.