EDGEFIELD, S.C.—The Wisconsin State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently met to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2022 funding.
After reviewing and ranking proposals, the NWTF Wisconsin Board of Directors approved allocating a total of $96,066 to NWTF’s Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative.
The state board budgeted $50,000 for conservation projects and $46,066 for Hunting Heritage related projects, including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and 4-H shooting sports program support.
Super Fund projects will be matched with almost $785,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 19-to-1 match rate in Wisconsin for 2022 Super Fund project allocations.
Save the Hunt.
Wisconsin NWTF approved $46,066 to support education and outreach efforts in the state, including JAKES, Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, scholarships, hunter’s education and the National Archery in the Schools programs.
Save the Habitat.
In addition, the state board dedicated $50,000 to conservation objectives. Projects awarded funding for 2022 occur in NWTF’s Driftless area of focus, part of America’s Big Six of Wildlife Conservation in the Crossroads region. Specific project awards include:
- $10,000 for continued support of the NWTF district biologist and R3 coordinator staff positions.
- $6,500 to support 1,900 acres of controlled burning on the Southern Wildlife Management District of Wisconsin. Additional partners include Pheasants Forever, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Turkey Stamp Program.
- $5,000 to support ag field conversion to native prairie on Albany State Wildlife Area in Green County. This work will enhance 134 acres. Partners include the Wisconsin pheasant and turkey stamp programs and Wisconsin DNR.
- $5,000 to support oak forest improvement work on Dane County Forests. With nearby prairie, this project will increase brood-rearing, nesting and roosting habitat. Work will improve 326 acres of prime wild turkey habitat. Partners include the Wisconsin Turkey Stamp Program, Wisconsin DNR and Dane County Parks.
- $8,000 to support the enhancement of 70 acres on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Project work includes timber stand improvement, tree planting and controlled burns. Partners include Kickapoo Valley Reserve and Friends of KVR.
- $6,000 to support the Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s restoration efforts on roughly 360 acres of state natural areas in Vernon, Grant and Crawford counties. This work will focus on enhancing oak and hickory trees through timber stand improvement work with prescribed fire to help with regeneration and invasive species control. Partners include the Wisconsin DNR, Natural Resources Conservation Service and private donors.
- $3,500 to support the Alma DNR office’s purchase of ATV-mounted water tanks and pumps to complete controlled burns and assist with wildfire response. DNR staff can use the equipment regionally or statewide.
- $6,000 to support Pheasants Forever’s acquisition of 183 acres next to the WDNR McCann Fisheries Area. The land will be donated to WDNR once finalized.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Since 2012, this 10-year initiative has already eclipsed goals of conserving or enhancing more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruiting or retaining more than 1.5 million hunters and opening access to more than 500,000 acres for hunting and other recreation opportunities. This critical work will continue to impact wildlife habitat and our great outdoors in the final years of the initiative.
