NWTF Donates more than $91,000 for wildlife management in Alabama
The Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) recently allocated $91,289 for wild turkey projects in Alabama. The funding was made possible through the NWTF Hunting Heritage Super Fund program.
Close to $29,000 of the total allocation was approved for a variety of projects statewide including funding the improvement of wild turkey habitat on public lands and assistance in launching outdoor education programs in schools. Approximately $35,000 was approved for wildlife habitat management on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and to support wild turkey research.
More than $28,000 of the NWTF super fund allocation was reserved for land acquisition to help support the purchase of WMA tracts. This funding enhances turkey habitat by increasing hunting access opportunities.
The land acquisition, habitat management and educational aspects of the total allocation are part of the NWTF initiative “Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt,” a program committed to conserving and enhancing 4 million acres nationwide of critical upland wildlife habitat to benefit wild turkey, quail, deer and other game and nongame species. The program also hopes create at least 1.5 million new hunters and open access to 500,000 new acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment.
The NWTF allocation also offers the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) access to federal matching dollars, which makes the donation go even further.
“This federal match is an important part of how our department is funded,” said Chuck Sykes, WFF Director. “The money generated by hunting license sales is matched through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We don’t receive an appropriation from the state’s General Fund, so contributions such as this are extremely important. I thank NWTF and the Alabama Chapter Board of Directors for helping to support our efforts in Alabama.”
Some of the grant money will also be used to purchase much-needed wildlife habitat management equipment. In addition to the monetary donation, the Alabama NWTF chapter provides financial support for prescribed burning projects that help restore longleaf pine habitat and the Archery in the Schools state championship, an annual event for school students across the state.
For more information about the NWTF, visit www.nwtf.org.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.