NWTF West Virginia and Partners Implement Nearly $500,000 in Conservation Delivery This Year
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The West Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are collaborating on a variety of conservation projects across the Mountain State in 2026. The West Virginia NWTF State Board budgeted $132,035 for conservation efforts, which will be matched with $357,000 in partner and grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 3-to-1 match rate for NWTF project funding in West Virginia.
“The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources doesn’t receive general revenue funding, and its operating budget is dependent almost entirely on license sales,” said Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist. “Funds provided by the more than 4,500 adult volunteers and members in West Virginia fill a much-needed funding gap for equipment and add significantly to the management work of the wildlife specialists and resource protection for the law enforcement section. We are thankful as an organization to be able to fill this niche for the agency and expand its wildlife management and resource protection efforts.”
For 2026, the following equipment and contributions will support hunter access and habitat improvement projects. Funding includes:
- $50,000 first-year match to a multiyear agreement with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for the NWTF to administer habitat work and hunter access projects on state-owned wildlife management areas and national forests.
- $41,814 for the law enforcement section to purchase six additional drones to expand their program.
- $19,567 to purchase a harrow disk for District II wildlife specialists to manage and refurbish wildlife openings.
- $20,654 to purchase two Firminator seed drills for use by wildlife specialists in District VI to complete planting projects on the WMAs within the district.
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 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.