NWTF Kansas, Partners Invest More Than $850,000 for Wild Turkey Conservation in 2026

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Kansas State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently met in Hays to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2026 funding awards. Following the review and ranking process, the Kansas Board of Directors approved a slate of conservation, research and outreach projects totaling $126,200 to support habitat enhancement, wild turkey research and hunting heritage efforts across the state. NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched by more than $730,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects.

The board budgeted $39,575 for conservation projects, $51,573 for research, $10,000 toward the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative and $25,052 for hunting heritage projects, including outreach education events, chapter scholarships and more.

“I commend our volunteers for working so hard to raise these funds to continue our mission in Kansas,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist. “These volunteers are our boots on the ground, putting their hard-earned dollars back on the landscape to support critical projects that will greatly benefit the wild turkey. Thanks to their dedication, it’s going to be a great year for conservation in Kansas.”

The NWTF’s Super Fund is a funding model through which volunteers raise money at banquets and other fundraisers and allocate a significant portion of those proceeds into impactful conservation, research and outreach projects at the state level and beyond.

Across Kansas, the approved projects will focus on invasive species removal, prescribed fire, habitat restoration, workforce development and scientific research to improve habitat conditions and support sustainable wild turkey populations. These projects include:

• $5,000 to support Jamestown Wildlife Area with invasive species removal
• $4,000 to support Lovewell Wildlife Area with a prescribed fire reintroduction project
• $5,000 to support Sheridan State Fishing Lake with invasive species removal
• $10,000 to support the Cimarron Grasslands with invasive species removal and native grass reseeding
• $5,575 to support the Smoky Hills Prescribed Burn Association
• $5,000 to support the John Redmond Habitat Specialist position
• $5,000 to support a Boy Scout Distinguished Conservation Award habitat project
• $14,960 for Kansas State University’s wild turkey poult foraging ecology research
• $26,613 carried over for KSU’s wild turkey foraging and diet study and wild turkey toxicology study
• $10,000 to support the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative and National RFP for research
• $5,000 to support the NWTF’s Endowed Professorship program
• $5,000 sponsorship for the 2025 National Wild Turkey Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri

In addition to on-the-ground conservation and research efforts, the chapter will continue supporting programs that introduce new audiences to the outdoors and build the next generation of conservationists. Education and outreach investments include:

• $3,165 to support Butler County 4-H and Midway District 4-H projects
• $1,000 to support JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors events
• $4,000 for the Kansas state scholarship for 2025 and 2026
• $16,887 for volunteer travel, NWTF JAKES trailer maintenance, Kansans for Conservation Coalition membership dues, Kansas membership rebate and other miscellaneous expenses

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.