Creating a Conservation Domino Effect
Through habitat improvement projects, wild turkey research, collaboration and innovation, the NWTF has played a pivotal role in the rebound of the wild turkey population across the country for the last 51 years, delivering stronger and healthier ecosystems for the iconic game bird. However, wild turkeys are not the only species benefitting from this work. The NWTF’s efforts benefit a wide variety of wildlife, creating a positive ripple effect across diverse habitats and ecosystems.
A recent example of this broader impact is the downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker from "endangered" to "threatened." This milestone, recently announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, highlights the recovery of a species that has come a long way from the brink of extinction. In the 1970s, the red-cockaded woodpecker population was as low as 1,500 clusters. Today, there are around 7,800 clusters spread across 11 states in the Southeast.
The resurgence of the red-cockaded woodpecker can be attributed to the restoration of its preferred habitat, longleaf pine, a task that NWTF has been central to supporting.
Longleaf pine ecosystems, once expansive across the Southeast from Virginia to Florida and westward to Texas, are now estimated to cover just 3% of their original range. Much of what remains is in fragmented and poor condition. Due to decades of fire suppression, these pine forests have suffered from the lack of natural disturbances essential for maintaining their ecological health.
In response, the NWTF has taken an active role in restoring these habitats, as implementing prescribed fire and other forest management practices greatly improves wild turkey habitat in longleaf pine ecosystems and returns them to a more natural state. Through partnerships with agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service and supporting initiatives, such as America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative and the USDA’s Longleaf Pine Initiative, the NWTF has promoted the health and regrowth of longleaf pine forests on both private and public lands.
In addition, the NWTF’s National Forestry Initiative, along with numerous projects funded through grants, stewardship agreements and state Super Funds, has positively impacted longleaf pine habitat over the years.
“Many of the NWTF projects within the longleaf pine range have successfully enhanced early successional habitat that is critical for wild turkey nesting and brooding,” said Derek Alkire, NWTF district biologist for Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. “Through strategic habitat management, we’re also supporting threatened and endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise.”
The NWTF works closely with partners and private landowners to implement active forest management practices that rejuvenate longleaf pine ecosystems. By mimicking natural disturbances, such as periodic fires, these efforts help create early successional habitats that promote the health of existing longleaf pine forests and support the regeneration of the species. This approach is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability and vitality of these vital ecosystems.
“During my time as a National Forestry Initiative project biologist, I focused on specific counties within the longleaf pine range in southeast Mississippi,” said Kacie Bauman, NWTF district biologist for Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. “Collaborating with private landowners to enhance and conserve their properties, we improved habitat not only for wild turkeys but also for species like the red-cockaded woodpecker. These efforts helped connect private lands to already enhanced public lands, creating a more cohesive and thriving landscape for wildlife."
By creating a mosaic of varied habitats, NWTF’s conservation efforts benefit numerous species beyond wild turkeys. The gopher tortoise, another species native to the Southeast, thrives in these revitalized longleaf pine ecosystems, as do countless other native species adapted to this unique landscape. A critical focus of NWTF's work is to connect these fragmented habitats, recognizing that contiguous longleaf ecosystems offer far more effective refuge and resources for wildlife than isolated patches.
The downlisting of the red-cockaded woodpecker is a testament to the success of these conservation efforts, showing that NWTF’s work in creating healthy habitats for wild turkey can create a domino effect, strengthening entire ecosystems.
From increasing opportunities for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to sustaining healthy, diverse landscapes, NWTF’s impact stretches far and wide. The organization’s ongoing mission serves as a beacon of hope for conserving and revitalizing America’s cherished wild spaces for generations to come.