NWTF Tennessee Pledges $86,679 to Healthy Habitats. Healthy Harvests. in 2023
November 16, 2022; 4:03 p.m.

Image by Jason Boggs, Courtesy NWTF

EDGEFIELD, SC -- The Tennessee State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently met in Crossville 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 Tennessee Board of Directors. The Board of Directors elected to approve $32,0000 towards conservation projects and $54,000 for Hunting Heritage-related projects, including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports.

"NWTF staff and our conservation partners are thankful for the talented volunteers who generate these funds, which are available to continue our mission in Tennessee," said Derek Alkire, NWTF district biologist for Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. "The projects funded for 2023 will greatly impact the wild turkey across the state."

NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with over $840,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 9:1 match rate for NWTF project funding in Tennessee.

These projects will conserve vital habitat and provide outreach to new hunters in Tennessee. Projects include:

• Early successional habitat work on WMAs across the state
• Stewardship projects with the USDA Forest Service
• $50,000 towards scholarships, JAKES Days and other outreach activities across the state

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.