NWTF Wisconsin Allocates $70,700 to Ensure Healthy Habitats. Heathy Harvests.
EDGEFIELD, S.C. —The Wisconsin State Chapter of the NWTF recently met to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2023 funding awards. After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the Wisconsin Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $30,700 for conservation projects and $40,000 for Hunting Heritage-related projects including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports support.
"NWTF staff and our conservation partners are thankful for the talented volunteers who generate these funds to be available to continue our mission in Wisconsin," said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "The projects that are funded for 2023 will greatly impact the wild turkey in our focal landscapes and also provide more public hunting opportunities for outdoorsmen and women throughout the state."
NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with $1,076,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 35:1 match rate for NWTF project funding.
Conservation Project Funding = $30,700
Projects awarded funding for 2023 occur in the Driftless Area and Central Wisconsin Focal Landscapes. Specific project awards include:
- $15,000 – Kenosha School Forest Acquisition: This project will help acquire 132.8 acres of School Forest Lands that will eventually be donated to the DNR and become public lands. These funds are being used in conjunction with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds, Bong Naturalist Association funds, North American Wetland Conservation Act funds and private donations.
- $13,200 – WDNR Turkey Partnership Project: This project will restore 381 acres of native prairie remnants along the Mississippi River. Work will take place on Sugar Creek Bluff and Rush Creek State Natural Areas. Project work will include prescribed burning, timber stand improvement, invasives removal and herbaceous weed control. These funds will be used in conjunction with WDNR funds as well as donated equipment and time from volunteers.
- $2,500 – Kinnickinnic Pheasants Forever Shrub Planting: Native shrubs will be planted across five-acres on five different WMA's to enhance cover and foraging opportunities for turkeys and pheasants. This funding will be used in conjunction with funds provided by Pheasants Forever and the WDNR as well as time provided by volunteers.
Hunting Heritage Funding = $40,000
This funding was approved to support education/outreach efforts in Wisconsin including JAKES, WITO, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, scholarships, hunter’s education and the National Archery in the Schools Program.
Partners include Bong Naturalist Association, Duck Unlimited, Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Pheasants Forever.
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 conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale. Today, the NWTF is investing heavily in wild turkey research to ensure the future of wild turkey populations and is working to secure Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests.