NWTF Florida State Chapter Pledges $100,000 to Healthy Habitats. Healthy Harvests. for 2023
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Florida State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently met to allocate Hunting Heritage Super Fund dollars to the Florida Wild Turkey Cost-Share Program.
The long-standing cooperative funding program is a collaborative effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Forest Service and the Florida State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Funding for the program is provided through the purchase of wild turkey permits by hunters, forestry funds from the Florida Forest Service, grant money from the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and dollars provided by the NWTF Florida State Chapter from their Super Fund program.
After the reviewing and ranking process, projects were presented to and approved by the Florida State Chapter’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $90,000 for wild turkey habitat projects and $10,000 for Osceola wild turkey research.
“NWTF staff and partners are thankful for all the hardworking volunteers that generate these funds to accomplish our mission in Florida,” said Ricky Lackey, NWTF district biologist for Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. “The volunteers and partners in this state are passionate and dedicated to our mission. The funds allocated for this year’s Florida Wild Turkey Cost-share Program will greatly impact public lands statewide.”
NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with $2,201,709.09 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 24:1 match rate for NWTF project funding in Florida.
These projects will conserve vital habitat in Florida. Funding includes:
- 29 projects on public land to include prescribed fire, herbicide applications, mechanical treatments, invasive/exotic control and longleaf restoration, among other habitat management techniques.
- Osceola wild turkey research support
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.